By Pastor Brady Wolcott
Greetings Church,
Christ and his gospel tear down every wall between us. This includes the walls between the rich and poor.
Questions for Small Groups:
To start your group, have everyone share one way they have seen God at work in their life this week.
I. God’s heart for the poor.
1. Does God care about the poor? Read and discuss some of these scriptures together as a group.
Deut. 10:17-18; Deut. 15:4-8; Psalm 146:7-9; Prov. 14:31; Prov. 21:13; Luke 6:30; Luke 14:13.
II. The Gospel Unifies the rich and poor.
2. Read James 1:9-10. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ prevent me from boasting in my status as either rich or poor?
How can the rich boast that they have been humbled by God?
How can the poor boast that they have been exalted by God?
3. Have you seen this church show partiality toward the rich? Have you personally showed partiality toward the rich or against the poor?
Read James 2:1-4. How does the gospel eliminate all partiality or favoritism?
4. Read James 2:5. James says that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith. In what ways might it be easier for the poor to have faith in God? How does this compare to Jesus and the rich young ruler (Mark 10: 17-27).
5. Read James 2:4-9. Why does favoring the rich make us “judges with evil thoughts” and violate the law (love your neighbor)?
6. Read James 4:14-17. How does James describe saving faith?
Agree or disagree: “True saving faith will exhibit a response.”
Can a true Christian NOT help the poor?
III. A balanced view.
7. How are the rich and poor both held responsible to bring flourishing to the world?
Rich: 1 Timothy 5:8
Poor: 1 Thess. 4:11-12.
Are you rich or poor? In what way? What is your responsibility in Christ?
Practice saying the Fighter Verse with one another: James 2:1. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
How does Jesus as my source of glory help end partiality in my life?
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