Being the Church - Contemporary

1. Read James 2: 1-13. What are examples of when you have seen or experienced favoritism? What happened? How did it make you feel?

2. Someone once asked Mark Twain, “Doesn’t it bother you that there are so many parts of the Bible that you don’t understand?” Quick on his feet, Twain replied, “What bothers me most are the parts that I do understand!” Have you been concerned that when you break one of God's laws, you have broken the whole law? Why? What is the royal law? (Leviticus 19: 18) Is this biblical understanding only from the Jewish point of view, or does this understanding also apply to Christians? Why or why not? How does your comprehension mesh with 'sin is sin' or the royal law?

3. Read verses 12 & 13 again. In what ways have you received mercy? When you have judged others, have you been merciful to them? How?

4. Read James 2: 14-26.

5. How many times have you heard a person's plea for help, turned

away, or promised to pray for them, then forgot?

6. Read verse 19 and 26 again. How does that move you towards 'faith in action'?

7. How do you respond to people who say, "I believe in Jesus," yet they do not live out their faith?

Prayer for the Week:

O Lord, help me understand these hard teachings. As I contemplate your Holy Word, open my heart, soul and mind to how you want me to live out James' teachings. Help me to love others, versus judging them. Help me see beyond what I see and perceive the situations around me through your eyes. Help me love as you love, Jesus. Help me be more like you. Amen.