NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2020 : TOPIC – IMPARTIAL LOVE
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
IMPARTIAL LOVE
Devotional Reading: Matthew 12:1-8
Background Scripture: James 2
Lesson Scripture: James 2:1-13
GOLEDN TEXT
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8
Primary Learning Outcome/Indicators
Learners will know that God commanded us to love one another as He loves us and indicate achievement of this by:
• Explaining what it means to show favouritism;
• Stating the reasons why believers should not show favouritism;
• Identifying the negative results of showing partiality in the church.
INTRODUCTION
It was another Sunday school class and a very special day for members of “High Praise Baptist Church, Olomo.” The newly constructed worship auditorium was to be dedicated and so, many dignitaries from all walks of life were invited to the occasion. As the invited guests began to arrive, they were ushered by some beautifully dressed young ladies to their various designated seats. Unfortunately, all the guests were not accorded the same respect by the ushers. Mrs Ugo Harrison was one of the invited guests and because she was early to church, she took her seat at her choice place. She observed with keen interest that while the rich were treated with dignity and courtesy the so-called poor were ordered to take their seats at the back or to find a place under the canopy outside the auditorium. According to Mrs Ugo, the fact that all the guests were treated differently made her ruminate on the attitude displayed by the ushers and what would have influenced their biased action. Does the picture look like what happens in your church? Nevertheless, at the close of service, Mrs Ugo called the attention of one of the ushers to the book of James that warns against partiality (favouritism) in the church. The young lady simply said, “Well, we only acted on instructions from the committee. However, I am sorry if I have offended you in anyway.”
The story above is a common practice in some churches today. Some churches have metamorphosed into social circles where the poor are treated and made to understand they are not wanted. They are usually treated with disrespect and dishonour while the rich are accorded undue respect. The Bible repeatedly teaches that believers should love one another, notwithstanding the differences in our social and financial status, tribe, educational attainment and so on. It is, therefore, wrong for anyone to dishonour the poor by treating them as if they are less than the rich.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. WARNING AGAINST PREJUDICE JAMES 2:1-4
The author of the book of James used many figures of speech to present instructions regarding practical wisdom and guidance for Christian attitudes and conduct. In chapter 2 precisely, he warned against the show of prejudice among Christians. He said in verse 1, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favouritism.” It means they should not treat people differently based on their outward appearance. The warning is followed by a scenario of a well-adorned rich man and a poor man in rags who came to a meeting. According to verse 3, they will be guilty of creating distinctions among themselves if more attention is given to the rich man by providing a special seat for him while the poor man is ignored or given less courtesy. In that case, they would have based their judgment on evil motives, which contradicts God’s standard of loving our neighbour as ourselves and doing the right thing.
To show partiality is the same as to make judgments or distinctions based on people’s external appearance, especially by what they wear. However, the command to treat the poor and foreigners with fairness and justice is from the Old Testament. The law of God prohibits discrimination against the poor and foreigners and giving special attention to the rich. Rather, Christians are encouraged to love God wholly and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, He did not show partiality. He related well with the poor, sinners, the sick and isolated. If Jesus did not discriminate in relating with people, Christians should, therefore, not show favouritism among themselves. Of course, the reason is that it causes division in the church, it gives honour to those who not deserve it and it is incompatible with faith in Jesus Christ and the royal law. Everyone who has put their faith in Christ Jesus is required to treat others fairly, irrespective of status, sex or race, thereby imitating Jesus Christ.
DISCUSSION TIME
• Differentiate the state of showing partiality and respect to others.
• What are the results of showing prejudice in the church of God?
• How can equality be promoted in the church?
B. Choosing the Poor for a Purpose James 2:5-7
In continuation, the author of James revealed God’s purpose of choosing the poor. He said, “Listen, my dear brothers: Has God not chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (v. 5) Supposedly, God has selected those who are poor in material possessions to be rich in faith so that they will possess the kingdom which He had promised to give to those who love Him. Jesus alluded to this fact when He said to His disciples, “Happy are you poor; the kingdom of God is yours!” (Luke 6:20). Unfortunately, the poor are often dishonoured and looked down upon, yet the rich who enjoy undue respect are those who exploit, oppress and drag God’s people to court. Such rich people speak evil of the name of Jesus Christ. It is apparent from the passage that partiality among Christians gives honour to those who do not deserve it. The rich are the oppressors of the poor and some of them blaspheme against God without fear. They exploit the poor in the society. They influence courts decisions in their own favour with their ill-gotten wealth, thereby making the poor poorer, yet when they come to the church, they are celebrated without any knowledge of their sources of wealth. Christians should be reminded that it is wrong for anyone to dishonour the poor by treating them as if they are less important than those who are rich in material possessions. According to the author of the book of James, such people do not deserve honour but the faithful brethren should be given fair treatment and recognition to the glory of God.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What are the various ways the poor are discriminated against today in our society?
2. Describe the attitude of some rich persons in our churches and how to negate it, based on today’s lesson.
3. Is poverty a condition for making heaven? Discuss.
C. COMMAND TO OBEY THE LAW OF THE KINGDOM JAMES 2:8-13
James’ admonition to show impartial love is quite comprehensive. He made it clear in verse 8 that if the kingdom law of loving one’s neighbour as oneself is sustained according to the Scriptures, the right things would have been done. On the contrary, if people are treated based on their outward appearance, we will be regarded as sinners and law-breakers. Therefore, anyone who breaks any of the commandments will be guilty of breaking them all. After all, the same law that is against the sin of adultery is also against the sin of murder. Automatically, one becomes a law-breaker if he/she commits any sins. In verse 12, the author admonished the people to speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that gives freedom. The encouragement is based on the fact that on the day of judgment, God will not show mercy to those who have not been merciful (Matthew 5:7), because mercy triumphs over judgment. The importance of obeying the law wholly cannot be over-emphasised. It is one of the ways of showing impartial love to others, which the author of the book of James encouraged his readers to demonstrate. Christians have been called to obey the laws of God exclusively, otherwise our obedience will not be complete and we will be guilty of breaking the law of the kingdom (v. 9). We should be ready to follow God’s standard of the royal law of loving our neighbours as much as we love ourselves. In fact, Jesus’ teachings prioritised the love of our neighbour as central to the law.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What are the laws of the kingdom as the author puts it in verse 8a?
2. Discuss the consequences of treating people according to their outward appearances?
3. Discuss the possibility of keeping all the laws of the kingdom.
Prayer Points
• Help me, O God, to love other people as much as I love myself.
• Pray and ask God to remove every form of discrimination from among Christians.
• Teach us, O God, to speak and act like people who will be judged by the law that sets free.
Commitment Based on Today’s lesson
My Personal Commitment________________
Commitment to My Church__________________
Commitment towards My Relationship with Others___________________
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
• Let the class members suggest some good ways we can help people (especially the poor) feel more welcome to our churches. If possible, a copy should be sent to the pastor for implementation.
Take Home
• God expects us to love all people, whether they are rich or poor.
• Christians should learn to have compassion for the poor who need help.
• We should treat everyone equally and so fulfil the law of God.
• Believers should avoid discrimination among themselves.
• We should not be law-breakers.
• Every one of us will be judged.
• We should be merciful because God is merciful.