Key Thought : It is our love for God that leads us to do His will. It is the doers of His law of love who will be justified..

[Lesson Plan for Love and the Law October 27, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read James 2:1-7.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Are we to ignore the rich and cater to the poor? Don’t poor people love riches just as much as rich people do? What is the point here?
c. Personal Application: Aren’t we guilty of playing favorites at times in different situations? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What about the person who is well off and highly respected using his influence to get his way in the church? Aren’t they guilty of misusing their money and power to shame Christ’s name?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read James 2:8,9.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why is the love for your neighbor called the royal law?
c. Personal Application: Is your church a place where people feel valued and respected? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Shouldn’t I treat my pastor, or elder, or conference leader better than just another church member? If not, why do so many people do so?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read James 2:10,11.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How much of our obedience is based on love, and how much is based on a sense of obligation or fear of loss?
c. Personal Application: Have you known members who follow most of the teachings of the Word, but choose not to follow all the counsel, but in one area doesn’t agree or obey? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How can breaking one of the commandments cause us to break them all? I don’t understand what this means.” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read James 2: 12,13.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How are we judged by the law of liberty? What are the positive and negative aspects of that idea?
Personal Application: How do we take mercy over judgment practically in our lives, especially when we have to deal with those who do wrong? Share your thoughts.
b. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

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