Bible Study

Choose one or two passages below to explore, as time allows. Divide the verses for children to read, then lead a discussion with the questions below.

1. James 2:1–9:

¹ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? ² For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. ³ If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, ⁴ doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? ⁵ Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? ⁷ Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, Whose noble name you bear? ⁸ Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ⁹ But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

• In verse 1, if we favor people, what can’t we say we have? Faith in Jesus.
• In the example in verses 2–3, what aren’t we supposed to do? Show favoritism to a rich person over a poor person. Give someone special privileges or honor based on what they have or how they appear.
• Is it easy to make a quick judgment about someone based on their clothing or appearance? Yes.
• What are some things we should do instead? Take time to remember that God made them. Reach out to them with kind words and actions. Try to find something positive about them, even if they act in a negative way. Pray that we can show them God’s love.
• What do you think verse 4 means? You show favoritism and want to get on their good side, and maybe they will do something for you.
• In verse 5, why do you think Jesus often came to the poor and common people?
• Do you think it is harder for wealthy or popular people to come to Jesus and serve Him? Why or why not? They have to learn to be humble.
• Why do you think that people dishonor or look down on the poor? Perhaps they think a poor person can’t really do anything for them, so why bother to be kind to them.
• In verse 9, how important is it to treat everyone the same? It is mandatory, not an option. We sin if we have favorites.

2. Luke 5:27–32:

²⁷ Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. ²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him. ²⁹ Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do You eat and drink with such scum? ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. ³² I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

• In verse 27, why would it be unusual and offensive to others for Jesus to ask a tax collector to follow Him and be a disciple? Tax collectors were despised. They worked for the Romans and often cheated people. They couldn’t be trusted.
• Did Levi, also known asMatthew, have to think about it for a while? No, he left everything and followed Jesus.
• What does this say about judging people based on what they do or their reputation? We cannot judge, only God can see people’s hearts. We never know what the Holy Spirit is doing in someone’s heart; we don’t know their needs and readiness to accept God’s call.
• What does this say about the power of Jesus and the Gospel? The Gospel can change anyone’s heart and make it new. Jesus changes lives.
• In verse 30, why did the Pharisees not only complain but complain bitterly? Did they want Jesus to treat people equally? Please explain.
• Who do you think the Pharisees thought Jesus should be eating with? Them, religious leaders and Jewish people.
• What do verses 31–32 mean in your own words?
• Who did Jesus compare sinners to? People who were sick. They needed to be healed of their sins. They needed to repent.
• In verse 32, did Jesus say the religious leaders were righteous and without sin? No, self-righteous. They thought they didn’t need to repent and were okay.
• So, based on the Passage, should we only hang out with believers and treat others differently? We are to be wise in our relationships. We need to choose our friends wisely and also be kind and try to influence those who don’t know Christ and show them God’s love. We cannot shun or ignore others.

3. Acts 10:34–35; 44–46:

³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. ³⁵In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. ⁴⁴ Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. ⁴⁶For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

As Peter spoke to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ home, many believed and became followers of Jesus. Seeing this, Peter witnessed God’s love and mercy fall on non-Jews.

• In verses 34–35, what did Peter see? That God has no favorites. The Gospel is for all people. God accepts all nations—anyone who fears Him and obeys Him.
• In verse 44–46, what happened as Peter shared the Gospel and the Gentiles believed his message? They were baptized in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit fell upon them. The new believers spoke in tongues.
• What was the reaction of the Jewish men with Peter? They were amazed that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles just like on the day of Pentecost!
• How do you think this changed their thinking and ministry?
• Has your attitude changed about how you treat others and share the Gospel; how?

Conclusion: God treats everyone equally and has no favorites. His love, mercy, power, and gifts are available to all of us—every nation and those who serve Him and do what is right! He sees us all the same in Christ!