Learning to Appreciate the Law

Back to Basics Pursuing Life-Change in James Pastor Toby Locke • 1/19/2025 Learning to Appreciate the Law James 2:8-13 Why should I appreciate the Law?  It reveals God’s __________ and _________. (2:8)  It shows the way to __________ God. (2:8)  It exposes my submerged _____________. (2:9-11)  It shatters my __________ _____________.  It gives me _______ to _______ what is wrong.  It reminds me I am the ______ not the _____. (2:12)  It pushes me towards __________. (2:13)  To _______ mercy.  To _______ mercy. Debrief Plan: 1/19/2025 Icebreakers: 1. Name someone you think is hilarious (can be someone you know or someone famous you’ve never met) and tell one story of this person doing or saying something hilarious. 2. Do you have or have you had a collection that you were proud of? Sermon Summary: It’s easy to resent the Law for “cramping your style,” but in reality the Law is a gift from God to us. We can learn to appreciate what it teaches us about God, and ourselves, and where we can find help for our many failings. Discussion Questions: 1. As you think about God’s Law revealed in Scripture, what do you think it teaches us about what God is like (His character)? 2. Would it be better if God didn’t tell us what He wants us to do, just left His expectations unsaid? Give reasons for your answer. 3. What are some typical illusions we fallen humans have about ourselves that the Law shatters? 4. Is guilt a feeling or a reality? Is it a good thing to be embraced or a bad thing to be avoided or rejected? Explain your answer. 5. How should it affect our attitudes and actions to know that we will one day be judged by God? How should that change how we “judge” (or “evaluate”) others? 6. If you were faced with the choice between having your debt cancelled by a generous benefactor or working your debt off yourself, which would you choose and why? 7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “It is impossible to appreciate mercy until you have been condemned by judgment.” Explain your answer.