Favoritism Forbidden—James 2:1–13 Open It 1. *How much money would it take to make you consider yourself rich? 2. For what reasons might a person think he or she is more important than another person? 3. Where do you see prejudice being practiced? Explore It 1. What practical example did James use to illustrate how favoritism was practiced in the church? (2:1–4) 2. *What has God promised to the poor of this world? (2:5) 3. *What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich? (2:6) 4. *What do rich people have a history of doing to people in the church? (2:6–7) 5. What is the royal law found in Scripture? (2:8) 6. What does practicing favoritism do to a person who is trying to keep the law? (2:9) 7. What does a person have to do to be considered a lawbreaker? (2:10–11) 8. By what standards should a person speak and act? (2:12) 9. What promise is made to people who judge without mercy? (2:13) 10. Why should we be merciful? (2:13) Get It 1. In what ways have you been a victim of favoritism or prejudice? 2. How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people? 3. Why do we often treat rich people as more important than poor people? 4. How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people? 5. *How can we welcome poor people in our church? 6. Why does God have a special concern for poor people? 7. *In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing? 8. Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin? 9. Why would God condemn us as lawbreakers if our sins are only “minor” ones, such as prejudice? Apply It 1. From whom can you ask forgiveness this week for showing prejudice toward him or her? 2. *How can you change the way you look at wealth this week so that you value it as God does?