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Friday, September 7, 2018

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (9/9/18)

Sunday School Kick-Off breakfast this Sunday 9:45 AM.  Please bring a breakfast dish to share. 

Scripture for Sunday
James 2:1-17 (ESV) 
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  [2] For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,  [3] and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet,"  [4] have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  [5] Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?  [6] But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?  [7] Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
[8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.  [9] But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.  [11] For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  [12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.  [13] For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
[14] What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  [16] and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Questions for Reflection
1.    For what reasons might a person think he or she is more important than another person?
2.    Where do you see prejudice being practiced?
3.    What practical example did James use to illustrate how favoritism was practiced in the church? (2:1-4)
4.    What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich? (2:6)
5.    Why should we be merciful? (2:13)
6.    How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people?
7.    How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people?
8.    In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing?
9.    Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin?