overview

you re not
like me!
topic
Racism, prejudice and favoritism
description
Racism, prejudice and favoritism are evils that are alive and well today. Sadly
enough, they are just as prevalent and divisive in the Church as they are in
the world. This study takes this issue head-on to see what Gods Word has
to say about these issues. Our desire is that students will be able to walk
away with a new appreciation for others who are not like them, whether the
differences be in race, social status, wealth or any other aspect.
key verse
If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, Love your neigh-
bor as yourself, you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin
and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers (James 2:8-9).
biblical basis
Matthew 7:1-6; James 2:1-13
the big idea
In Jesus Christ, we are all one, regardless of race, wealth or status.
aims of the study

Examine what the Bible has to say about the issue of favoritism.
Help students to discover the different ways in which we tend to show
favoritism today.

Help students implement a choice to live a lifestyle of equality, unity

and love.
preparation
Introduction option 1: You will need a DVD of the movie School Ties (Para-
mount Pictures, 1993). Before the meeting, set up the DVD to play the
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clip where the main characters roommate discovers that he is trying to
hide the fact that he is Jewish.
Introduction option 2: You will need a video camera or a digital camera
and a way to show what you have recorded to the group. Before your
meeting, ask selected students some of the questions in introduction
option 1 and record their answers on video. Prepare to play the video at
the beginning of the study.
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outline
you re not
like me!
introduction
To introduce the message, you can either view the clip for School Ties (op-
tion 1) or record students answers to the questions below to show during
the meeting (option 2).
option 1: school ties clip
In this movie, the main character enters a prestigious prep school and en-
counters more than just academic challenges. Being Jewish, he discovers the
cruelty of racism. The movie chronicles his struggle with who he is, what he
wants to be and how others see him. Introduce the clip, explaining that it
is about the confrontation that occurs when the main characters room-
mate discovers that he is trying to hide the fact that he is Jewish. Its an ex-
cellent portrayal of racism, acceptance and being who God created you to
be. After viewing the video segment, ask the following questions:
1. Can you remember a time in your life when you felt like an outcast?
2. How would you define the words racism and prejudice?
3. What are the most damaging aspects of racism?
4. What do you think God thinks about the issue of racism?
5. What are some passages of Scripture that speak about racism?
6. If you could do something to solve the issue of racism, what would it be?
option 2: video interviews
Show the video you filmed ahead of time in which you interviewed stu-
dents using the questions in option 1.
in the word
Read James 2:1-13.
I. Prejudice Is a Form of Judging (James 2:2-4)
A. When we show favoritism, we are really judging that person as
better or worse than we are.
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B. Favoritism or racism is the result of prejudging others.
C. Discuss the following:
1. What example did James give of someone showing favoritism?
2. What would be some examples of favoritism, prejudice or
racism in our world?
3. What does Jesus say in Matthew 7:1-6 about judging others?
4. How do we usually judge others?
II. Prejudice Insults Gods Creation (James 2:5-7)
A. When we show prejudice, we insult God by belittling what He
has created.
B. God has created each of us as different and unique creations.
When we show favoritism or prejudice, we are saying that God
made a mistake or that everyone needs to be like us.
C. Discuss the following:
1. How does God feel about prejudice?
2. Why do we often treat some people better than we do others?
3. How do we tend to show favoritism toward people based on
physical appearance, athletic ability, job status or possessions?
4. Why is it wrong to show favoritism to others?
III. God Calls Us to Love Others Regardless (James 2:8-11)
A. One of the hardest things to do in the world is to love others
who are not like us.
B. Often, we attach conditions to our love of others.
C. Discuss the following:
1. What law is found in verse 8? What does it mean to love
others as ourselves?
2. What conditions do we often attach to others before we
will love them?
3. What does it mean to love others regardless?
4. What are some practical ways in which we can love others
who are not like us?
IV. God Calls Us to Be People of Mercy (James 2:12-13)
A. God calls us to be people of mercypeople who are not partial;
showing love to all we come in contact with.
B. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
C. Discuss the following:
1. Why is it tough to show mercy to others?
2. Why should we be merciful?
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3. How can we show mercy in practical ways to others regard-
less of who they are?
4. How has this study changed the way you view others?
action steps
Ask the students what they will do this week to . . .
Stop judging
Celebrate Gods unique creation in others
Show love regardless
Be a person of mercy
Ask them to identify someone whom they have been prejudiced against.
When and how will they ask that person for forgiveness?
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