Favoritism | July 1 – 7, 2018

Series Big Idea

James, the half-brother of Jesus, shares wisdom on how to overcome challenges that can trip us up as Christ-followers and keep us from growing to maturity.

Message Big Idea

Loving all people as ourselves is a mark of maturity.

Scripture

James 2:1-13

Ice Breaker

If you were immortal, what age would you choose to stop aging at and why?

Opening Thought

Today’s discussion is about favoritism. What do you think of when you hear that word?

Bible Discussion

  1. Read James 2:1-13. What do you notice? What questions does this raise for you?
  2. Showing favoritism is simply making subtle, snap judgments about people. Can you think of a time someone made a snap judgment about you and share it?
  3. The message of James isn’t just a command to not show favoritism. It is also a call for us to show favor to everyone. What might it mean to show favor to others?

Life Application

  1. Favoritism can be a costly personal sin, because whenever we choose to dismiss a person based on surface level reasons, we are cutting ourselves off from that person who may have turned out to be a person we need in our lives. How have you experienced this?
  2. We can show favor to people by acknowledging they are made in God’s image, by appreciating the uniqueness they bring to the world, and by affirming their gifts and talents that enrich our world. Who do you need to acknowledge? Who can you appreciate? Who do you need to affirm? (These can be different people).
  3. How might showing favor to everyone make an impact in the various contexts of your life?

Challenge

Open up a group prayer time by having everyone share something they need All of us are prone to snap judgments and intentional or unintentional discrimination. We can make judgments based on perceived success, intelligence, or what they can do for us. I believe our world is desperately wanting to see people show favor to everyone they meet. So let’s be a people who are so filled with God’s spirit that the world will experience the extravagant kindness and love of God. Can you think of three practical ways you can show favor to others this week?