Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Don’t Show Favoritism

James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

  • Why shouldn’t someone who believes in Jesus show favoritism?
  • What does it mean to show favoritism?
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
  • When have you been in a situation like the one James describes in verse 2? How did you handle it?
  • What are the evil thoughts that would lead to favoritism?
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
  • How does God want us to view the poor?
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
  • What reasons does James give us for not viewing the rich as better than others?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
  • Why is it important that we love others? What hindrances do you find in yourself to loving others?
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
  • Why is breaking one part of the law the same as breaking it all?
  • How quick or slow are you to obey God when you become aware of what He wants?
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
  • How will you speak and act if you consider that you will be judged?
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
  • What opportunities do you have for showing mercy? What are you doing about it?

Posted by Cute at 4:02 AM

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)