The Problem of Prejudice - James 2:1-13

By David Woods

Discussion: Have you ever been prejudiced against? What did it feel like?

Discussion: What are some common examples of prejudice in our world?

Discussion: Who was the person prejudiced against in our text?
(I would suggest both the rich man and poor man were prejudiced against. The former received positive prejudice - favoritism or partiality, and the latter received negative prejudice, which we commonly term prejudice.)

Discussion: What boxes were the people trying to fit the rich man in? The poor man?

In my study of this scripture, I find at least five reasons why the prejudice was … ill-informed. I would use a stronger word, but I don't know if it is appropriate. I would like you to study these verses and tell me reasons why the prejudice was ill-informed.

Discussion: Why was the prejudice of James' illustration ill-informed?
(It was foolish because the rich were the ones persecuting the church; it was foolish because they were disobeying God's command not to judge others; it was foolish because they discriminated against those God feels a special affinity for; it likely caused the rich person to think that because he was specially treated, he was okay spiritually; it would confuse those they were trying to reach - was God's love really for all people? Teacher: List response on whiteboard.)

Discussion: Why are people prejudiced? What causes them to have pre-conceived ideas about others?
("Teaching Tips" suggests: impulsiveness, environmental controls, TV, and biases.)

Discussion: Why does it seem almost natural to respect the well-dressed worker more than the homeless bum?
(It is natural. We should respect the hard work one does. Undisciplined, lazy living is not only sloppy, it also is not God's ideal for us.)

Discussion: Is it justifiable to respect one person more than other?
(Yes, we can respect one person more than another. The problem is when we begin to value one person higher than another or begin to treat them a certain way - according to that pre-conceived idea - before learning if they deserve/don't deserve it.)

Prejudice, simply defined, is a pre-conceived idea.

Discussion: Is it sinful to hold any pre-conceived ideas about others, regardless of how they look, talk, or act? Why or why not?

Discussion: What are some of the things we often lose when we approach someone with a pre-conceived idea about who they are and what they are like?
(We do not give them the chance to prove they are more (or sometimes less) worthy than we think them to be. We miss the chance to be charitable. We may lose the opportunity to be surprised that our pre-conceived ideas are wrong. We can lose the chance to challenge the person to rise above who they are.)

The key verse, in my opinion, of this text is verse eight.

Read James 1:8

Discussion: This is basic "Ten Commandment" stuff. How or why can a Christian be prejudiced against others - even though he knows he is to love others as himself?

I really like the "Pertinent Principles" for this week's lesson.

Read "Pertinent Principles"

I believe one of the main reasons why prejudice persists, especially in Christians, is because people do not think. They do not think about the attitudes they hold toward others. They are not evaluating why they think and do the things they do.

James is calling us to think. He wants us to think how God thinks. God has called His people to love others. John the apostle says, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we loved one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." (ESV, 1 John 4:11-12)

James is trying to teach us that:

Big Idea: Pure love is valuing people by God's perspective.

Discussion: How does God value people? What does God think of the rich person? How about the poor person?

Discussion: What are some ways we can keep from allowing prejudice to cloud our minds?
("Teaching Tips" suggests: pray for God's help, use self-discipline to help fight it, seek the facts before making up your mind about something or someone, open-mindedly visit with the one against whom you are prejudiced.)