Family Worship (April 26)

Have you ever seen someone pick teams for a game? Sometimes, the strongest or most popular kids get picked first, while others are left waiting. It can feel really unfair, especially if someone is always chosen last.

In our lives, we can sometimes act the same way. We may choose to be kind to people who are popular or fun, but ignore others who seem different or less important. But God does not treat people that way. He sees everyone as valuable and loved.

In the Bible, James teaches us that real faith means loving people equally. That means we don’t pick favorites based on how someone looks, what they have, or how popular they are. Instead, we love everyone because God loves everyone.

Today, we are going to learn how real faith shows up in the way we treat others.

James 2:1–13
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think it is wrong to treat people differently based on how they look or what they have?
2. How does Jesus show us how to love people?
3. What is one way you can show kindness to someone who might feel left out?

Activity: No Favorites Challenge
As a family, write down different kinds of people (friend, new kid, someone shy, someone different from you). Put the papers in a bowl. Each person picks one and shares a way they can show love to that type of person this week. Then, act it out together or make a simple plan to do it.

Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving all of us the same. Help us to have real faith that shows love and kindness to everyone. Teach us to be like Jesus in how we treat others. Amen.

Memory Work:

New City Catechism
17. What is idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator.

Memory Verse
James 2:26 (ESV)
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.