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LIFE Group Lessons
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LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Wednesday Night, September 19, 2007
“Don’t Play Favorites”
James 2:1-13
5 Minutes - Welcome / Prayer
5 Minutes - OPEN
Let’s all be honest about ourselves tonight. We all have those we’d prefer to hang out with and those we don’t. Some of us would prefer to rub shoulders with the rich rather than the poor.
What kind of things make you favor one person more than another?
James lays it out here in no uncertain terms – “Don’t show favoritism.” Favoritism is a complex sin – an evil – that is no small matter because it runs so counter to what Jesus Christ modeled in his life on earth and James knew our human tendency is prone to adopt such a point of view.
15 Minutes - DIG
Before you jump to the conclusion that one more time the Scriptures are slamming rich people. That’s not the point. Who James is criticizing are those who react and salivate and stumble and fumble all over themselves to impress and hang out with the rich folks. The case study he gives makes this point!
You’ve seen it happen. Why is this offensive to God? Why are we prone to show preferential treatment to those who have money?
What is the significance of James adding this thought to this conversation – “have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (v. 4)?
What are some results of showing favoritism (vv. 4, 6, 9, 13)?
What were the practices of the rich that drew particular fire from James (vv. 6-7)?
We are so prone to think the rich are on top and the poor are at the bottom. We often portray our belief that leaders are important and that servants are less. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is constantly talking about an upside-down kingdom –
• If you want to be great, you’ve got to become a ________________;
• If you are weak, then you’ll be _____________;
• The poor will be ____________;
• The first will be ____________.
What two gifts does God give the poor (v. 5)? Why did James say the poor would be “rich in faith”?
What did James identify as being the “royal law” (v. 8)?
Most of us don’t need another Bible study and more indoctrination. We need to put what we know into practice. We need to love our neighbor as ourselves.
How can the royal law guide out treatment of others in all circumstances of life?
James brings up two necessities in the closing verses in this section (vv. 12-13) that we’d prefer not to be included:
• Accountability;
• Judgment.
First he says our talk and walk must be congruent. We are going to be held accountable and judged by our words and actions.
God sends all types of people into our lives and He wants to see how we treat them. And James gives us the warning that God will show to us in the end the same kind of mercy that we showed to others.
15 Minutes - REFLECT
Here is a list of four criteria by which we judge people:
• Achievement;
• Appearance;
• Ancestry;
• Age.
One day God asked Samuel to go and anoint the future king of Israel. Samuel went to the house of Jesse. Jesse had a whole bunch of sons, and naturally Samuel looked at the oldest one first. This oldest son, Eliad, had everything. He looked the part. But God told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
What are some things we’ve got to learn to do to get past achievement, appearance, ancestry, and age as determining factors of our friendship with others rather than taking the time to learn what’s on the inside?
When have you been hurt by favoritism?
Where are you most susceptible to discrimination?
As a disciple of Christ, how can you better show mercy this week? How merciful are you with your spouse? With your children? Around your office? With the cashier in the checkout line?
5 Minutes - CLOSING PRAYER
From this discussion, what are those things you feel compelled to pray about tonight? Take time to think about the judgmental thoughts and words you have had this week. Confess them to God.
Pray about these matters one by one and bring them before your Heavenly Father.
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