community group discussion guide
introduction
James says the “religion that God our Father accepts” (1:27) shows no favoritism. “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (2:1). Favoritism is to still see things “in the eyes of the world” (v. 5). The gospel and loving others “gives freedom” (v. 12) from the world’s status games. If God played favorites or treated people based on their worldly status, many would be left wondering if there’s hope for them. But God shows mercy to all. And so in everyday dealings, the church is to live by the same principle: “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (v. 13).
opening question
Share an experience when someone went out of their way to help you instead of showing favoritism.
read James 1:27-2:13 (NIV)
1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture. Share some insights, questions, or points that strike you. Then read what follows.
equal under mercy
Throughout the Bible the prophets relay God’s warning against hypocritical worship. “Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” (Isaiah 1:13). This would have been surprising to hear in a community with meticulous worship practices. James echoes this teaching when he says acceptable devotion is caring for those in distress instead of showing favoritism (1:27). There are three reasons James says the church should not show favoritism.
(1) Favoritism assumes the role of judge. If the church gives preferential treatment to the wealthy, James asks, “have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (2:4). They have it upside down. Instead they must “speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law” (v. 12). Those who show mercy in this life will be shown mercy then.
(2) The poor deserve honor (v. 6). To be told, “Sit on the floor by my feet” (v. 3) is to be put in the “place of a servant”1 instead of an equal. James holds out a high view of the poor, which would have been controversial in the ancient world. God has “chosen those who are poor” to receive the kingdom (v. 5). Jesus says the same: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20). Due to experience with practical need they might be better prepared to admit spiritual need and receive divine grace. They may be “poor in the eyes of the world” but they are “rich in faith” (v. 5). James also undercuts any undue honor the church reserves for the rich, the very ones “who are exploiting you” (v. 6). James’ concern about exploitation and practical service to those in distress shows he does not romanticize poverty.
(3) Favoritism strikes at the very heart of the law, which is to love others (vv. 8-11). If the church privileges those with worldly status and resources, it only shows they haven’t grasped the basics of mercy. Living by the law of love “gives freedom” (v. 12) from these tendencies because the law no longer condemns believers and instead shows the way of flourishing.
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1 Grant R. Osborne, “James.” The ESV Global Study Bible. Crossway, 2018.
- What are some specific ways favoritism shows up in your life and in the city?
- How does favoritism play out in churches today? How would you frame the scenario of verses 2-3 in modern terms?
- How has the “freedom” (v. 9) James speaks of helped you avoid showing favoritism and handle it when it happens to you?
- Discuss some concrete risks, costs, and blessings of living this way.
group application
Brainstorm one or two specific ways to live as a group in the way James teaches. What impressions might this make on the wider community of friends and neighbors?
invitation to pray
- Two volunteers can be the scripture readers.
- The facilitator can read the silent reflection questions aloud and keep time (30–60 seconds).
- During the prayer times after the 2nd and 3rd readings, we encourage you to use the style of conversational prayer, which emphasizes listening and uses short prayers that build upon one another. Review the Conversational Prayer Guide together before you begin.
meditative prayer
- Silent reflection: What words or phrases stand out to you?
- Share with the group: Take turns saying those words or phrases aloud.
2nd Reading: Read the Scripture aloud.
- Silent reflections (30–60 seconds each):Based on these verses, how can you confidently and expectantly intercede on behalf of Redeemer West Side and our city?
- Pray conversationally about these topics:
- This transition period of our church
- Pastors, staff, lay leaders, congregants
- The pastor search committee and the candidate interview and discernment process during the month of April
- Redeemer’s future as part of God’s continued movement in the City
© 2024 Redeemer Presbyterian Church West Side
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Th
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