THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
Join us this Wednesday as we release a new episode of the BEYOND THE WEEKEND PODCAST. Senior Pastor Aaron Buer joins members of the Ada Bible staff for a casual conversation about things that didn’t make it into the sermon, to answer your questions and to dig deeper into the week’s topic. They share helpful insights and how the week’s teachings are impacting their faith and can impact yours too. Listen to the podcast HERE. You can also submit your questions about the sermon or the book of James HERE. Your question could be featured on the podcast!
GROUP VALUES
This January, we are focusing on RELATIONAL INVESTMENTS. It’s about developing a heart for those in our lives who haven’t accepted the good news of Jesus. What opportunities has God provided for you to be intentional about sharing your faith? Keep praying for each person and that God will grow your heart for sharing the gospel.
GROW AS A LEADER
Want to grow as a leader? Looking to take the next step in your faith? The ONLINE LEADER TRAININGS are a great place to grow. Check out the opportunities at learning.adabible.org.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the second week of our series MAKE IT REAL. This week, we look at James’s teaching about not showing favoritism.
ICEBREAKER
If you could choose any person from history to be your friend, who would it be and why?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read James 2:1-13 aloud.
What challenges you in this passage?
How does a tendency to favor the rich and powerful contradict core Christian truths according to James?
What motivation does James provide to let go of prejudices and show equal care for all people regardless of background?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer taught that playing favorites goes against the way of Jesus and hinders making our faith real. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas or main points.
What are some criteria people use, consciously or not, to determine someone’s worth?
Pastor Aaron discussed how we play favorites because of how someone’s “glory” or status could benefit us. In what ways have you seen people attach themselves to someone for their own benefit?
What do we need to remember about Jesus in order to stop comparing ourselves to others or to stop using others for our gain?
James encourages us to view our circumstances through the lens of the gospel. How does the gospel change how you see vulnerable people?
Who do you know that reflects the heart of God and lives out the gospel by not showing favoritism? What have you observed about them and how they live?
Pastor Aaron described favoritism as “me loving me and using you.” How does showing favoritism hinder us from obeying the royal law (Matthew 22:37-38)?
What do you risk when you love yourself and use others?
What difference has God’s mercy through Jesus made in how you treat other people with regard to favoritism?
What is one thing you can do this week to show God’s mercy and love to someone whom you usually avoid or overlook?
Which part of the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?
WRAP UP
Today, we discussed that making our faith real includes not showing favoritism. What is one thing you need God’s help to change based on this discussion?