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Theme: Doers of the Word.
1. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not just hearers, deceiving your own selves.” Why does God want us to do what his Word says, and not just know what his Word says?
2. In Matthew 13, Jesus told a story to help us understand the difference between doing and hearing. A farmer was sowing seeds in his field. Some fell on a path and were immediately eaten by the birds. Some fell on the rocks, and plants sprang up, but then withered because they didn’t have strong roots. Some fell in the thorns and produced plants, but they were choked by the weeds around them. Some seeds, though, fell on good soil and produced a very good crop.
Jesus explained the story to his disciples. The seeds on the path are people who hear the gospel but don’t understand or accept it. The seeds on the rocks are people who hear the gospel but don’t try to grow, so they reject Jesus at the first sign of trouble. The seeds in the thorns are people who also hear the gospel, but then forget about it in the busy-ness of their lives. The seeds that produce the crop are people who hear and accept the gospel, and live according to God's gift of grace.
After you listen
Quiz
Reflect
In this episode, Liz has to work through challenges and act on his knowledge.
Our memory verse tells you that God wants more from you than just your agreement. He wants action! It's one thing to agree with what you read in the Bible. It's quite another to do what it says. When you’re just a "hearer" of the word, and you don't let it change your life and your heart, you’re missing the true expectations of God. James says in another passage that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). This is what he means. Agreeing with what the Bible says has to be joined with action in your life. Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer!
Want to dig deeper about actions in faith? Read Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 3:18 and Matthew 5:16.
Challenge
What is one way that you can put your faith into action this week? To make sure that you do it, tell and friend or family member what you want to do to show your faith. Now, do it!
