Living Like Jesus in Every Circle

Scripture Focus: James 2:1-17 (CSB)

1. Introduction

Scenario to Consider: "Imagine two people walk into church—one in fancy clothes and another in old, dirty clothes. Who gets greeted first? Who gets the better seat?"

Main Idea: Favoritism goes against what Jesus teaches. Let’s see what James says about it.

Transition: "Let’s dive into James 2 to understand why favoritism doesn’t belong in the life of a believer."

2. What Does Favoritism Look Like?

Read: James 2:1-4

James 2:1–4 CSB

My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Explanation: James describes a situation where people favor the rich and look down on the poor.

Discussion Question:

"Have you ever seen someone treated better—or worse—because of how they look or what they have?"

Key Point: Favoritism happens when we judge people by worldly standards instead of God’s.

Transition: "Now, let’s think about how this applies to our relationships with others, especially in our everyday lives."

3. Real Life: How We Treat Others

Relatable Example:

"How many of you have friends in this youth group that you’re close with and enjoy spending time with here at church? You laugh together, pray together, and encourage each other.

But then Monday comes, and you’re back at school. Suddenly, you’re faced with choices—who do you hang out with? Maybe at school, there’s a group of friends who are seen as 'cooler.' They might be more fun, have more exciting things going on, or just seem more popular. And when you’re with them, you find yourself drifting away from the friends you’re close to here in church. It’s not that you don’t care about them anymore, but it feels easier, maybe even more exciting, to stick with the 'cooler' crowd.

Reflection Question: "But as a believer, what does this mean for you?

Could it be that, without realizing it, you’re showing favoritism—valuing people based on their social status or how they make you feel rather than seeing them as God does?"

Read: James 2:8-9

James 2:8–9 CSB

Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Key Point: Loving others equally fulfills God’s law. Favoritism is sin.

Cross-reference: 1 John 4:20

1 John 4:20 (CSB)

If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

"You can’t love God while mistreating or ignoring others."

Transition: "James doesn’t stop at pointing out favoritism—he challenges us to actively live out our faith. Let’s explore what that means."

4. Faith in Action

Read: James 2:14-17

James 2:14–17 CSB

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.

Illustration: "If a friend is hungry, do they need you to preach to them or give them a sandwich?"

Key Point: Faith without action is useless.

Cross-reference: Ephesians 2:8–10

Ephesians 2:8–10 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

“We are saved by GRACE not by works, but because of our FAITH we are called to live it out in good works”

Challenge Question:

"How can you show your faith this week? Is there someone at school or church who could use encouragement or help?"

Practical Takeaway:

"The fruits of our faith is shown in how we treat others, especially those who can’t pay us back or boost our status."

Transition: "Let’s take this idea and think about how we can live it out starting today."

5. Call to Action

Challenge:

Look for someone this week who might be overlooked or in need and show them kindness. Journal one way you can reflect Jesus by treating others equally.

Transition: "Before we wrap up, let’s ask God to help us live out our faith and reflect His love to everyone we meet."

6. Closing Prayer

Pray for:

A heart that loves and values others equally. The courage to act on faith by serving and helping those in need.