James 2 · Grade 4
The Royal Law
Read and Think
James 2 deals with favoritism in the church. Suppose a man with a gold ring and fine clothing comes into the meeting, and a poor man in dirty clothing comes too. If the rich man gets a good seat while the poor man is told to stand, the believers have become judges with evil thoughts. God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom.
The royal law according to the Scripture is, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Showing partiality breaks that law. James reminds them that whoever stumbles in one point becomes guilty of all. They should speak and act as people judged by the law of freedom, because mercy triumphs over judgment.
Then James asks what good it is if someone says he has faith but has no works. If a brother or sister lacks daily food and you say, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them what they need, that faith is dead. Abraham’s faith worked with his works, and Rahab’s faith was shown when she received the messengers.
Show What You Know
How did the believers show partiality?
What is the royal law?
Why should believers show mercy?
What is wrong with only saying, Go in peace, be warmed and filled?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- If the rich man gets a seat while the poor man is told to stand, the believers have become judges with evil thoughts.
- God chose the poor of this world to be rich in and heirs of the Kingdom.
- The royal law according to the Scripture is, You shall your neighbor as yourself.
- They should speak and act as people judged by the law of freedom, because triumphs over judgment.
- Then James asks what good it is if someone says he has faith but has no .
Think About It
Where might people today be treated differently because of money or looks?
What is one need you could meet instead of only offering words?
Memory Verse
“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.”
James 2:17 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why is faith without works called dead?
- How does God’s word set people free?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.