True Religion (Part 2) James 1:26-2:13

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Doug Brown

True Religion is not a spectator sport. It is obeying what God says and participating in what He is doing in you and around you.

Theme: Community: Living in community and loving without partiality

1. In your group, share when you have experienced someone showing you kindness or mercy and how it affected you.

2. Observe people at work, in your neighborhood, on the news ... and record where you find partiality, discrimination. Do you find this spirit in your own heart towards others because they are different from you? What is wrong with showing partiality?

3. Read James 1:26-2:13. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you from these verses about your attitude and actions towards the needy and those that are different from you?

4. In your group read the Good Samaritan story, freshly (Luke 10:25-37). What are the lessons you learned from each one of the participants in the story? What is the main lesson Jesus teaches from this passage? What excuses do we use today? What will help you overcome these excuses? Answer the question - who is my neighbor?

5. Put feet on your love. It is easy to read about those who are needy but what can you do (or are doing) to reach out to those who are in need indeed? Discuss this with your group of friends and come up with a natural way you and your group can assist those in need. (Also read together, James 2:14-17, 1 John 3:14-18)

6. Pray and ask God to make you sensitive to the needs of those around you, so that you may be the good samaritan in their life. Inquire of the Lord, asking Him what He would have you do?

7. Memorize James 2:13 - especially the last phrase. Can you think of any examples of this? How have these examples moved you? Now, go do the same!