Stepping In: Getting things started!

1- What has been some of your experience with prejudice/favoritism?

2- What are some forms of prejudice/favoritism besides racism?

3- Answer one (or both) of the following questions:

How has prejudice/favoritism shaped our culture?

How has prejudice/favoritism shaped your view of others?

 

Building Up: What is God Saying? 

Read James 2:1-13. Now answer the following questions:

1- How is the discrimination described in these first few verses similar to what we see today? What are some of the key reasons there is NO PLACE for this in the church?

2- What do we learn about how God views the “poor” in these verses? How is this a common theme throughout the Bible? Can you think of other places God’s Word addresses it?

3- What does James mean when he talks about the “rich” mistreating you? In what ways have you seen that happen in our Valley or in your own experience?

4- How does “Love your neighbor as yourself”(vs. 8) fix this, and every other social/cultural problem?

5- What perspective is gained by sinking your teeth into verses 10-13?

 

Living Out: How do I obey?

1- What are the some of the many reasons I need to come to grips with the fact that “I am a lawbreaker”? (Go back and read verse 10 if you doubt that.) How does that reality help me relate correctly to God? To other people?

2- Share an area of prejudice/favoritism/discrimination that you’ve struggled with and then tell your group a plan of action for a better way to treat people.