1. Especially in light of 2:1-4, why does James caution us so seriously about showing favourtism?
2. Sometimes a life of following Jesus looks upside-down or backwards or counter-culture to people around us - we see this in v. 5 (i.e. poor - rich in faith). If you can, explains this a little bit.
3. Towards the end of v. 13, we read: "mercy triumphs over judgment." What does this mean?
4. As you read 2:14-17 - and especially v. 22 - think about the relationship between faith and serving/doing. How are these ideas connected?
5. Why is it important that Christians help meet physical needs (v. 16)?
6. In v. 25, James mentions Rahab the prostitute. See if you can find her story (in the Old Testament). What did she do that was considered righteous?
As I reflect on this chapter, I think the portion I am most drawn to is v. 22: faith and actions "working together." We should think more about this. We do not simply want to believe things and fail to live it out. On the other hand, we do not want to do things in order to prove ourselves or earn something from God (it would never be enough). But, whatever we believe (e.g. about other people; about ourselves; about the world; about heaven, etc), will shape the way we live.
Our goal, it seems to me, is to discover and believe what is true and real, and live in a true and real way. Would God help us, and supply us the power, to believe and live like that. Amen