This lesson teaches children that God wants us to treat every person with fairness and kindness, because God loves rich and poor alike. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including a short story, a memory verse, and one activity.
Big Idea
God does not play favorites, so we should not either. Everyone is special to God, and we show that love by how we treat our friends and neighbors.
Memory Verse
James 2:8
However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.
(WEB)
Teach the children to put one hand on their heart and then open both arms wide, like giving a big hug. Say the verse together while doing the motion, and repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: James 2 for Kids
Long ago, a man named James wrote a letter to Christians who met together in their churches. He had noticed something that was not right. When a rich man with a gold ring and fancy clothes walked in, the people rushed to give him the best seat. But when a poor man in dirty, torn clothes came in, they told him to stand over in the corner or sit on the floor.
James was sad about this. He asked them a simple question: had they not noticed that God chose many poor people to be rich in faith? God had promised his kingdom to those who love him, and poor people love God too. Treating the poor man badly was not what God wanted.
James gave them a rule that God gave long before, a rule that all of us know. The rule says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Imagine how you would want to be treated if you walked into a room full of people. You would want a warm welcome, and so should everyone else.
James also told them that real faith shows up in real actions. He used an example that the children can picture. If a friend has no clothes and no food, and you only say, “Go in peace, I hope you get warm and full,” but you never give them anything, your words do not help. Faith that does nothing is like a tree with no fruit.
Then James pointed to Abraham, who trusted God so much that he was willing to obey God even when it was very hard. James also pointed to Rahab, a woman who helped the messengers of God by sending them safely away. Both of them showed their faith by what they did.
Read It Together
James 2:1
My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality.
(WEB)
Point out the words “don’t hold the faith … with partiality.” Explain that partiality means picking favorites. Ask the children what it would look like to pick a favorite person at school and ignore everyone else.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?
(WEB)
Show the children that God chose poor people to be rich in faith. Remind them that money and clothes do not decide how special a person is to God.
James 2:16-17
16 And one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
(WEB)
Help the children see that kind words need kind actions to go with them. Ask them to name one way they could help someone who needs food, warmth, or a friend this week.
Talk About It
- What did the people in the story do when the rich man came in, and how did they treat the poor man?
- How would you feel if you were the poor man standing in the corner?
- What is one way you can show kindness to someone who does not have what you have?
- Why do you think God cares about how we treat each other?
- What is something kind you could do today to show that you love your neighbor?
Activity Ideas
Hearts for Everyone Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large heart on paper and cut it out. Ask them to write or draw a name of someone they often overlook, like a quiet classmate or a grandparent, then decorate the heart. Glue the hearts to a wall poster titled “God Loves Everyone.”
Stand Up, Sit Down Game
Gather a few chairs and a bell or clapping rhythm. Let the children walk around the chairs while you play a song or clap. When the music stops, call out a situation like “someone new walks in,” and have the children show a fair welcome by offering a seat to whoever is standing. This helps them practice including everyone.
Kindness Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day this week, have your child write one kind act they did for someone else on a slip and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together, thank God for each act of kindness, and talk about how faith shows up in what we do.
Teacher Notes
For adults, James is making a clear point that faith is not just what we believe in our heads. Real faith changes how we treat others, especially those who are poor, overlooked, or in need. Partiality is a sin because it treats people as less valuable than God says they are.
Be careful not to suggest to children that they earn God’s love by doing good deeds. God loves us first, and our kindness is a response to that love. Keep the focus on God’s grace while encouraging children to live out their faith in simple, everyday ways.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for loving every person in the whole world. Help us to be fair and kind, and never to pick favorites or ignore people who need a friend. Show us how to share what we have and to show our faith through what we do. Amen.
