Unfortunately, part of human nature makes us prone to judgment. We tend to look at people who are different from us and offer prejudice or show favoritism towards one group over another. While our human nature is prone to this kind of judgment, Scripture clarifies that there is no place for prejudice or favoritism in God's kingdom.
BREAK THE ICE
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? What is your least favorite flavor?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What causes us to rush to judgment and favoritism instead of Christ-like love?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read James 2:1-7. According to these verses, what is the problem with showing favoritism and judgment?
James 2:1-7
"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, 4 doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?"
"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, 4 doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?"
3. Read James 2:8-11. How are we called to live instead of showing favoritism and prejudice?
James 2:8-11
"Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. 10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. 11 For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law."
"Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. 11 For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law."
4. How does following "the royal law" James describes in these verses help us let go of favoritism and prejudice?
Application
1. What area of prejudice do you think most people struggle with today: financial prejudice, intellectual prejudice, political prejudice, appearance prejudice, racial prejudice, or spiritual prejudice? Why?
2. What does it look like to love others as we love ourselves, which James explains is the "royal law?"
3. What is one way that you can grow in loving the people around you? What step toward growth can you take this week?
MOVING FORWARD
Think back at the areas of prejudice we heard about over the weekend sermon: financial prejudice, intellectual prejudice, political prejudice, appearance prejudice, racial prejudice, and spiritual prejudice. Which area do you struggle with the most? How can you step away from prejudice and show love to someone difficult for you to love instead this week?
GOING DEEPER
Jesus was the ultimate example of breaking the barriers of favoritism. He spent time with all kinds of people who others around Him avoided. Where people expressed favoritism, racism, and judgment, Jesus showed love, forgiveness, and kindness. He drew towards all kinds of people, and we can follow His example. Let's spend the next few minutes together reading about His interactions with those most people would have avoided.
Jesus and Tax Collectors and "Sinners":
The first encounter we are looking at today is Jesus's encounter with tax collectors and perceived sinners. Tax collectors and sinners were at the top of the list of people who respectable Jewish leaders and teachers avoided. The Jewish people despised tax collectors because they were viewed as enemies working for the Roman government, which required the Jewish people to pay an excessive amount of taxes. They also overcharged Jewish people when they collected taxes and pocketed the extra money for themselves. Jewish leaders also avoided sinners. In their self-righteousness, they looked down on the sins of others and refused to acknowledge their own. Read about Jesus' interaction with tax collectors and sinners now. As you read, you will see that Jesus was not afraid to associate with tax collectors and sinners, and He invited them to be a part of his earthly ministry.
1. Read Matthew 9:9-13.
Matthew 9:9-13
"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do." 13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?"
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do." 13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."
2. What is significant about Jesus' interaction with Matthew?
3. Compare and contrast Jesus' view of tax collectors and other sinners and the religious leaders' view of tax collectors and other sinners.
4. Summarize Jesus' lesson to the religious leaders.
5. How did Jesus counteract prejudice in this passage of Scripture?
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman:
The next encounter we are looking at today involves Jesus and a Samaritan woman. This interaction may seem ordinary to you, but it was extraordinary. You see, Jewish people in Jesus' day despised Samaritans. Samaritans were from Samaria and not fully Jewish. Part of their heritage was foreign. Because of this, Jewish people saw Samaritans as unclean and impure. They did not associate with Samaritans. Jewish people often did everything they could to avoid passing through Samaria as they traveled. Even more, Jewish rabbis would have never associated with women. They only taught Jewish men who were considered "best of the best."
As you can see, most Jewish rabbis had plenty of reasons for avoiding this Samaritan woman. This was not the case with Jesus. Look at this story now and see how He went out of His way to reveal Himself to this unlikely woman.
1. Read John 4:1-30.
John 4:1-30
"Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them-his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" 10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." 11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?" 13 Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." 15 "Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water." 16 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her. 17 "I don't have a husband," the woman replied. Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband- 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!" 19 "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?" 21 Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming-indeed it's here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." 25 The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming-the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." 26 Then Jesus told her, "I am the Messiah!" 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?" 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him."
"Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them-his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
10 Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
11 "But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
13 Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
15 "Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
16 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
17 "I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband- 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
19 "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
21 Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming-indeed it's here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming-the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus told her, "I am the Messiah!"
27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?" 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him."
2. What is significant about Jesus' interaction with this woman?
3. What did Jesus reveal to this Samaritan woman?
4. How did this woman respond after her encounter with Jesus?
Jesus and the Leper:
The final encounter we will look at today is his encounter with a leper. Everyone avoided lepers. Leprosy was painful, contagious, and deadly. Even more, those with leprosy were "unclean," and anyone who came in contact with a leper was considered unclean. Jesus was not offended or worried about being harmed by this leper's sickness. Read about Jesus' beautiful encounter with a leper now.
1. Read Matthew 8:1-4.
Matthew 8:1-4
"Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
"Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
2. What is significant about Jesus' interaction with this man?
3. What about Jesus' response to this man stands out to you?
4. How did Jesus counteract prejudice in this passage of Scripture?
Reflect:
Now that we have read about Jesus' interactions with those overlooked and avoided let's reflect.
1. Summarize Jesus' response to those overlooked, avoided, and often judged.
2. What is one thing Jesus did to combat prejudice that you want to implement in your own life?
3. We must invite those who are overlooked, judged, and avoided to follow Jesus. Who can you invite to church with you this weekend?
End your time together praying for these people you just shared about. Pray they would respond to your invitation and experience God's deep love for them.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:17
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