Favoritism (Lesson Worksheet)

Read James 2:1-4.

What command are we given in verse 1?

Define partiality or favoritism.

What was happening when the Christians were gathering together? (2-4)

What are some ways this same thing happens today in the church?

How does showing favor to one over another make one a judge with evil thoughts or motives? (v. 4)

In Luke 6:20 and Mt. 5:3 we learn that God chose the poor to be rich in faith, and also that the poor will receive the kingdom of God. Does this mean all poor will be in heaven or that there won’t be any rich in heaven? Why or why not?

For further clarification...

Read Mt. 19:23-26.

What is easier for a camel then for a rich man?

Can a rich man be saved?

Read James 1:9-11.

What do poor believers have to be able to take pride in?

What should the rich believers boast about?

Why should the rich boast only in what they have in Christ?

Read James 2:5-7.

Who did God honor? (v. 5)

Yet who is it that these Christians were dishonoring? (v. 6)

Why is this situation ironic? (v. 6-7)

Read James 5:1-6.

The rich here does not refer to rich Christians necessarily. It is referring to their rich oppressors. These verses give us a clearer picture of the culture in which James’s readers were living.

What type of life were the rich living? (v. 5)

Who was crying out against the rich oppressors? (v. 4)

Whose ears have heard these cries? (v. 4)

What is going to happen to the wealth of the rich oppressors? (v. 2-3)

What have the rich oppressors fattened themselves for? (v. 5)

Read James 2:8-13.

In the O.T. love for his neighbor meant love for his fellow Israelite. How did Jesus expand this command?

Matthew 5:43-44 -

Luke 10:25-37 -

What is the royal law? (v. 8)

What are those who show favoritism doing? (v. 9)

What are we guilty of if we break one point of the law? (v. 10-11)

Why is it important not to view the law as a series of individual rules rather than as a whole?

What do verses 12-13 about showing mercy have to do with the sin of favoritism? (See Zechariah 7:9-10)

How does mercy triumph over judgment?