Message Title: Are you Serious?
Scripture: James 2:1-12
Bottom Line: Love your neighbors.
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
How has God shown up in your life this week?
Ice Breaker:
Share a funny story/memory that has to do with your neighbors.
Would you say you are good at first impressions?
Have you ever made a quick judgment about someone based off your first impression? Were you right or wrong based off that first impression?
Overview:
It’s easy to forget James’s letter towards the end of the New Testament, and historically some have even tried to remove it from the Bible altogether! However, this letter is an incredible treasure that offers a deceptively simple yet powerful reminder about our calling to love all our neighbors- even the ones who don’t seem to fit in!
Our beliefs needs to drive our behavior and our behavior reveals what we really believe. We need to make sure the two do not contradict each other.
Favoritism rejects the image of God. We are all created in the image of God, so in knowing this, how can we ignore people who are different from us.
If you ignore others who are different from you, you are essentially saying the image of God in that person isn't worth acknowledging and this is wrong.
The royal law according to the scripture is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to show favoritism?
How do we use physical appearance, wealth, economic status, job status, and/or athletic ability to show favoritism towards certain people and not others?
In what ways might believers show favoritism today in the church?
Why is the belief in Christ and favoritism incompatible?
Read James 2:8-11. James speaks of "royal law" in verse 8. How does showing favoritism break this law?
How does the grace of God change the way we treat others who are poor or different in the eyes of our society?
Who in your life can you show mercy and grace to rather than prejudice? What adjustments can you make this week in how you respond and treat this person?
If an outsider was to observe you this week and they watched how you acted and how you spent your time and money on things, what would they conclude about you? What would they say you value most? Would their assessment of you align to your beliefs?
How can we ensure that this group is a place where all people can feel comfortable and accepted?
What steps can your group take together to reach out to your neighbors? How can your group be #forourneighbors this semester? Brainstorm together ways you can love, support, and serve your neighbors and then put them into action.