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Equality in the Church
Reflection
Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.
1. When people visit your church, how do you make them feel welcome?
Question 1. You may wish to ask this question again at the end of your lesson. If so, take the opportunity
to develop a strategy on what the members of your group can do to make people feel welcome.
Bible Reading
Read James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of
persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also
a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou
here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then
partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen
the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they
blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are
convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that
shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Discovery
Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.
2. Why is it wrong to treat rich people better than poor people?
3. How does God treat the poor and powerless?
4. Explain how partiality makes us unjust judges.
5. How does showing favoritism indicate a feeling of superiority?
6. List how Christians can show mercy.
Inspiration
Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.
Grant's church was beginning a ministry to people suffering from AIDS. At the initial planning session, an
expert on this type of ministry was going to be present to speak to the group about the Dos and Don'ts
of such a task. The catch was that the person who was coming had AIDS.
As he drove to the meeting, Grant struggled with what his response would be. “How should I address this individual?
Would I shake hands with this person? Would I sit next to him? Would I pry into his lifestyle, demanding to know
how he contracted the disease? How would I react if he volunteered that information? Is this a ministry that I
should be involved in personally?” These questions and countless others were swirling through his mind.
As he pondered these issues, he was reminded of James 2:1 and the fact that favoritism is sin. The issue is
not whether the distinction is made over economic, social, educational, physical, spiritual, or health concerns
or differences. The issue is that our motives for making the distinction are immediately called into question because
favoritism is sin.
(From A Dad's Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent)
Response
Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.
7. List examples of favoritism or prejudice you see in the church today.
8. List some people who might feel uncomfortable in your church.
9. How can your church make those people feel more welcome?
Prayer
Thank you, Father, that all people are equal in your eyes. Forgive us for judging people by appearances and
accomplishments. Forgive us for favoring the rich and powerful over the poor and weak. Oh God, change our hearts.
Teach us what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Journaling
Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.
How can I gain victory over the sin of favoritism?
Additional Questions
10. Why do we tend to downplay the seriousness of favoritism?
11. If you have been a victim of favoritism or prejudice, how did it make you feel?
12. How can you help others change their attitudes toward the poor and vulnerable?
For more Bible passages on favoritism, see Exodus 23:2, 3; Leviticus 19:15; Proverbs 19:6; 1 Timothy 5:21.
To complete the book of James during this twelve-part study, read James 2:1–13.
From Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God—Book of James by Max Lucado. Copyright 1996 by Word Publishing.
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