Faith in Action

A Bible Study on Living What We Believe

Faith without works is dead. That’s what James 2:17 says, and it’s a verse that stops us in our tracks. But what does it mean? How do we live out a faith that is alive, not useless?

This Bible study will walk through examples of faith in action from Scripture (Abraham, Noah, Jeremiah, Jonah, and the rich man) and show what it means for us today.

What Does James 2:17 Mean?

James 2:17 says:

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

At first, this can feel confusing. After all, Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. So how do these verses fit together?

Here’s the key: works don’t save us, but real, saving faith always produces works. As James 2:22 explains when describing Abraham:

“His faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

In other words, our actions are the visible evidence of an invisible faith.

Bible Examples of Faith in Action

Scripture gives us powerful stories that show what living faith looks like. Let’s look at a few:

Abraham: Faith and Obedience Working Together

Abraham trusted God enough to offer his son Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:1–18). His willingness to obey revealed the depth of his faith. His actions didn’t replace his faith. They completed it.

Lesson: Faith and obedience go hand in hand.

Noah: Obedience That Looked Foolish

God told Noah to build an ark before there was any sign of a flood. People probably laughed at him. But Noah obeyed anyway and his obedience saved his family (Genesis 6–8, Hebrews 11:7).

Lesson: Faith in action means trusting God even when the world doesn’t understand.

Jeremiah: Redefining Success

Jeremiah wasn’t popular. He was rejected, ridiculed, and often alone. Yet he obeyed God faithfully, even when no one seemed to listen (Jeremiah 1–52).

Lesson: True success is obedience to God, not applause from people.

Jonah: Actions Without Heart Alignment

Jonah eventually obeyed God’s command to go to Nineveh, but his heart wasn’t in it. He resented God’s mercy toward people he didn’t like (Jonah 1–4).

Lesson: Faith in action means letting God shape our hearts, not just our outward behavior.

The Rich Man: Actions Reveal the Heart

The rich man in Mark 10 looked spiritual, but when Jesus asked him to give up his wealth, he couldn’t do it. His actions revealed where his treasure really was.

Lesson: Our choices reveal what we truly value.

What Does Faith in Action Look Like Today?

Faith in action isn’t just about big, dramatic moments. Most of the time, it’s revealed in small, daily choices:

• Choosing kindness when you want to lash out.
• Praying instead of worrying.
• Forgiving when bitterness feels easier.
• Serving quietly without recognition.

James 1:22 sums it up perfectly:

“Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”

A Devotional Challenge

Take a few minutes this week to pray and ask:

• Where is God calling me to take a step of obedience?
• Am I resisting because it feels inconvenient, risky, or unseen?

Then, take that step. Even a small act of faith can be a powerful testimony of God’s goodness.

Go Deeper With Your Family

Want to take this study further with your kids or teens? I’ve created a free family devotional guide that pairs with this message. It includes discussion questions, a memory verse activity, and practical ways to put faith into action together.

Closing Thought

Faith in action is this: living in a way that matches what we say we believe. Abraham, Noah, Jeremiah, Jonah, and the rich man all remind us that faith is more than words. It’s how we live, love, and obey.

May our lives reflect the mercy and glory of the One we serve.

And as always, remember, God’s Strength is made perfect in your weakness, so boast in it.

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For Girls Walking the UnPerfected Journey

If this message encouraged you, I’d love for you to check out my book, Girl UnPerfected, available now on Amazon. It’s written for preteen girls learning to walk in God’s grace while embracing imperfection.

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