To Save a Life - They are Judging Me Study

Summary
Jake and Amy go to the youth group meeting, and Amy immediately feels judged, first by Andrea, then the senior pastor and his son, and finally by other girls in the group. Amy decides to leave, and Jake chooses to stay and scolds the group for being judgmental.

Verse
“Don't criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” - James 4:11-12

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Amy feel so uncomfortable when she walked into the meeting with Jake?  

2. One by one people started to look at Amy and Jake and make them feel different.  Why is judging others by our looks so hurtful?  What should be our response to new people coming into the group?

3. Amy ended up leaving and headed to a party.  Jake stayed, but was not happy.  How did he respond to the group when he came back in?  He made some suggestions on how their judgmental attitudes could change.  What can you and your group change to be more inviting or accepting?

4. Read James 4:11-12.  Who is the only person who has a right to judge?  Why is it so easy to be judgmental of others?

5. This type of attitude can lead to becoming a hypocrite.  What is a hypocrite?  Why is being hypocritical so harmful to the Christian faith?