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JJP CD Packet participant
1
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why
C o n t i n u e d
does he matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What
does justice look like? Who brings justice? Who is
affected
D by
i my choices?
a l What
o are our
g choices?
u Do I
e
need to change?
after
Do we need to change? Where are
injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
J
e
s
u
s
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why
does
J he matter?
u s How do
t I fit iin? Can
c I even
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What
&
does justice look like? Who brings justice? Who is
P
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affected by my choices? What are our choices? Do we
This Continued Dialogue (CD) Packet is designed to explore
topics that might interest students who are more socially active
and/or have justice-specific questions or issues with God or the
Christian faith. These CDs are an attempt to expose the true
Jesus that preached the Kingdom of God while caring for the
poor, brokenhearted, marginalized and oppressed sectors of
society. The Jesus that looked more like a revolutionary
than a religious leader, the one who lived out the love
that he spoke about.
This will hopefully foster a discussion in which the participants, regardless of their
spiritual/justice background can be open with each other and the text. They
should challenge and encourage one another as they co-learn about Jesus, justice,
and poverty.
Separate topics or questions are explored in each CD. They have no particular order or specific
timeline. They are not meant to be the `answers', instead they will hopefully open up space to
dialogue further. Understanding comes when we err on the side of curiosity rather than
skepticism. A "leader version" is available online if you want additional input on the study, at
www.bayup.org.
The original material for this Continued Dialogue Packet is taken with permission from InterVarsity San
Diego's Justice GIG Guide (2006), which was edited by Sarah Holine with contributing authors Elena
Gradillas, Grace Smith, Amanda Jordan, Ryan Lustig, and Randy Woo.
JJP Continued Dialogue Packet edited by Elizabeth Thrasher, 2007. Scripture used from NRSV and TNIV
translations (www.crosswalk.com). Graphics taken from Flikr, January - February 2007. (www.flickr.com:
artists featured are Alison Haltenhof, Tom Stone, Ian and Ellen Ann, and Mick Yates).
www.ivevents.com/jjp
www.intervarsity.org
2
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
C o n t i n u e d
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
D
i
a
l
o
g
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e
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
after
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth
from the Bible? What is poverty? What causes it? Who is
J
e
s
u
s
Jesus? Why does he matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help?
J
u
s
t
i
c
e
&
What does justice look like? Who brings justice? Who is
affected by my choices? What are our choices? How do we lear
P
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C D S t u d i e s
Dialogue It Up
p. 3 Jesus and Justice
p. 3 Jesus and Justice
- What do ideas/realities do you normally associate with "the good Christian life?"
p. 5 Jesus and Poverty
- What does justice mean to you?
- What do you think God says about justice and those who follow him?
p. 7 Jesus and Identity
p. 9 Jesus and Suering
p. 5 Jesus and Poverty
- What biblical basis is there for caring/advocating/loving the poor?
p. 12 Jesus and Exclusion
- How does God view the poor? How should we?
- What, if any, are the spiritual repercussions for ignoring the poor?
p. 7 Jesus and Identity
- Where is you identity? What are your gifts and passions?
- Are you fearful that following Jesus will mean losing your identity?
- Does God want to affirm and use our gifts, passions, and cultures?
p. 9 Jesus and Suering
- Are there areas of suffering or brokenness in your life?
- How do we know that Jesus cares about us as physical/emotional/mental/social/
spiritual beings? What does Jesus say or do about complex suffering?
- Is there something that you long to have healing for, in your own life or in the
world? Does God care about restoration for people and systems?
p. 12 Jesus and Exclusion
- Who do you think the church normally welcomes, and does not welcome?
- Have you ever felt excluded? How has that affected your view of God?
- How does God feel about marginalization, and how does God act towards the
marginalized (perhaps even those the church sometimes excludes)?
3
Jesus and Justice
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
WHAT IS POVERTY?
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
WHO IS JESUS?
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE...
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
M
a
t
t
h
e
w
OPENING QUESTIONS:
2
5
:
3
1
-
4
6
·
What does justice mean to you?
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
·
What part do you think it plays in the Bible?
and all the angels with him, then he will sit on
the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be ·
Why is it that we have this feeling that we should promote
gathered before him, and he will separate
justice?
people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he
will put the sheep at his right hand and the
A CLOSER LOOK:
goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to
those at his right hand, "Come, you that are
Read Matthew 25:3146
blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom
Who is narrating this story?
prepared for you from the foundation of the
world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you gave me something
to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, How does God separate people?
36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was
What might be the significance of the analogy of the shepherd
sick and you took care of me, I was in prison
separating the sheep from the goats?
and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will
answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you
hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave
you something to drink? 38 And when was it
that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you,
Jesus refers (verse 37) to those who are blessed as "righteous".
or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when
What do you think it mean to be righteous in this passage?
was it that we saw you sick or in prison and
visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them,
"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the
least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at
his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart
What seems to be the message Jesus is trying to get across?
from me into the eternal fire prepared for the
What's important to Jesus about our lives?
devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and
you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave
me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you
did not welcome me, naked and you did not give
me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not
visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord,
when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or Jesus is saying that serving people around you is the equivalent of
a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did
serving the King himself. What does this tell us about who Jesus is?
not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer
them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to
me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
4
A CLOSER LOOK (cont'd) ...
What do you usually think of the church telling you what you should do? What does this passage say Jesus tells you to
do on earth?
AN INWARD LOOK
·
How does this view of the Christian life differ from what you
expected?
·
Does this idea of what it means to follow Jesus excite you? Why
or why not?
·
How could you see yourself being used by God in the world
around you?
Graffiti in Barcelona, Cataluñ
a. By Alison Haltenhof 2007
FURTHER LOOK
When Jesus came on the scene, he proclaimed his mission by quoting a well-known Old Testament prophet named
Isaiah. Look at Isaiah 61, with an eye for how God is concerned about justice, and then read Luke 4:1930. What
strikes you about Jesus' choice of scripture in his hometown, and how the theme of justice was received there? What
about the character of God in Isaiah 61 and in Luke 4, raises interest and/or questions?
THE CHALLENGE
What are some practical ways you can incorporate working for justice into your daily life? Look for how that can show
you something new about Jesus.
Look at the ways that you have viewed what the "Christian life" looks like. Think about how this new information
changes the way you understand what it means to follow Jesus.
Ask God to show you what He wants to do with your life to serve people around you and in this world.
5
Jesus and Poverty
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
WHAT IS POVERTY?
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
WHO IS JESUS?
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE...
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
L
u
k
e
OPENING QUESTIONS:
1
6
:
1
9
-
3
1 · What has your experience been with poverty?
19 "There was a rich man who was dressed ·
Can you think of an instance where you were faced with your
in purple and fine linen and who feasted
wealth versus someone else's?
sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate
lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered
with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his
hunger with what fell from the rich man's
A CLOSER LOOK:
table; even the dogs would come and lick
Read Luke 16:1931
his sores. 22 The poor man died and was
carried away by the angels to be with
What were the social statuses of these two men during this time
Abraham. The rich man also died and was
period? Who had more weight in society?
buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being
tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham
far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He
called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on
me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his
How do you think the rich man felt toward Lazarus?
finger in water and cool my tongue; for I
am in agony in these flames.' 25 But
Abraham said, "Child, remember that
during your lifetime you received your good What is the interaction like between Lazarus and the rich man?
things, and Lazarus in like manner evil
things; but now he is comforted here, and
you are in agony. 26 Besides all this,
between you and us a great chasm has
What were the mens' lives like in comparison to their after-lives?
been fixed, so that those who might want
to pass from here to you cannot do so, and
no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He
said, "Then, father, I beg you to send him
to my father's house? 28 For I have five
What do you think about Abraham's answer to the rich man's
brothers that he may warn them, so that
request in verse 25?
they will not also come into this place of
torment.' 29 Abraham replied, "They have
Moses and the prophets; they should listen
to them.' 30 He said, "No, father Abraham;
Why do you think the rich man entered Hades and Lazarus
but if someone goes to them from the
Heaven?
dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him,
"If they do not listen to Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be convinced
even if someone rises from the dead.' "
6
A CLOSER LOOK (cont'd) ...
Who do you think this parable is being told to? By whom and for
what reason?
Why do you think the rich man's brothers couldn't be warned?
What is Jesus saying about our duty to the poor?
Theresa, in Tenderloin. Taken by Tom Stone, April 2006.
What are the lessons we can learn from this story?
AN INWARD LOOK
·
Does this view of Jesus contradict what you know of Him or Christianity already? How?
·
What would it mean to you to know how Jesus cares about poverty?
·
How can society change to lift others out of poverty, according to Jesus?
·
How can Christians change their approach to poverty? (Since local/national poverty is often overlooked in favor of
"exotic" overseas mission work)
FURTHER LOOK
Mention of helping the poor, or of the Lord condemning those who oppress the poor, occurs 256 times in the Bible. Of
that, only 36 of those times is it the fault of the poor person that they are poor. 118 times refer to people being poor
because of misfortune or natural calamity, while 111 references indicate people being poor because of injustice and
oppression. Start studying some of these passages (e.g., Leviticus 25, Psalm 72, Isaiah 58 and 61).
THE CHALLENGE
Either intentionally search out and place yourself in a poverty-stricken area in your city, or have a substantial
conversation with someone who society considers poor. Ask them what they think of God.
Pray for God to reveal himself this week, specifically in the issue of poverty.
7
Jesus and Identity
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
WHAT IS POVERTY?
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
WHO IS JESUS?
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE...
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
L
u
k
e
OPENING QUESTIONS:
5
:
1
-
1
1
·
What are some of the things that define who I am, my identity?
1 Once while Jesus was standing beside
And what does is mean to be a Christian?
the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd
·
Does accepting Christianity as a lifestyle meaning abandoning
was pressing in on him to hear the
my own identity and culture?
word of God, 2 he saw two boats there
·
How can I serve God with who I am: my culture, my passions,
at the shore of the lake; the fishermen
my sphere of influence, my identity?
had gone out of them and were
·
Is there anything that God is asking me to deny in order to
washing their nets. 3 He got into one of
follow Him?
the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
and asked him to put out a little way
A CLOSER LOOK:
from the shore. Then he sat down and
taught the crowds from the boat. 4
Read Luke 5:111
When he had finished speaking, he said
to Simon, "Put out into the deep water
How is Jesus' timing significant, what was going on when he
and let down your nets for a catch." 5
approached the fishermen?
Simon answered, "Master, we have
worked all night long but have caught
nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let
down the nets." 6 When they had done
What does it mean or suggest that Jesus approached the
this, they caught so many fish that their fishermen?
nets were beginning to break. 7 So they
signaled their partners in the other boat
to come and help them. And they came
and filled both boats, so that they
began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter
What value is it that Jesus taught from a location that the men were
saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees,
familiar with?
saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I
am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all who
Why do you think Jesus asked Simon to put His nets down?
were with him were amazed at the
catch of fish that they had taken; 10
and so also were James and John, sons
of Zebedee, who were partners with
Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do
How does Jesus call these men? What might it mean for their lives?
not be afraid; from now on you will be
What fears might they have?
catching people." 11 When they had
brought their boats to shore, they left
everything and followed him.
8
AN INWARD LOOK
·What fears hold you back from following Jesus?
·What are some of the things you think you'd have to give up to
follow Jesus?
·How would you respond if God actually wants to grow you in your
gifts and identity, rather than taking those away from you?
·What do you think God would want to use in your life to affect
people around you, and possibly affect the world?
Tiled wall in Liberec, Prague,; Ian and Ellen Ann, Jan 2007.
FURTHER LOOK
Still have questions about identity and culture?
Acts 2 where the Holy Spirit comes, and they start speaking in their mother tongues
Revelation 7:810. God created different cultures, and how in heaven, all nations, tribes, ethnic groups will be there.
THE CHALLENGE
Tell God about the things that you don't want to give up to follow Him.
Look at your life and see if there are passions, skills, gifts that you have that God may be able to use, if He is indeed
real and worth following. Think about what it would be like to use your gifts and passions for other people.
9
Jesus and Suffering
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
WHAT IS POVERTY?
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
WHO IS JESUS?
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE...
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
J
o
h
n
OPENING QUESTIONS:
9
:
1
-
3
8
1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind
·
Why do you think there is suffering in the world?
from birth. 2 His disciples asked him,
·
What has been your personal experience with some of the
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
suffering that there is in this world?
parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus
answered, "Neither this man nor his parents
sinned; he was born blind so that God's
A CLOSER LOOK:
works might be revealed in him. 4 We must
work the works of him who sent me while it Read John 9:138
is day; night is coming when no one can
work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am
Describe the disciples' question toward Jesus. Does it make sense?
the light of the world." 6 When he had said
this, he spat on the ground and made mud
with the saliva and spread the mud on the
man's eyes, 7 saying to him, "Go, wash in
What do you think the blind man's life had been like?
the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent).
Then he went and washed and came back
able to see.
8 The neighbors and those who had seen
him before as a beggar began to ask, "Is
Describe Jesus' response to his disciples' question.
this not the man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some were saying, "It is he." Others were
saying, "No, but it is someone like him." He
kept saying, "I am the man." 10 But they
kept asking him, "Then how were your eyes
opened?" 11 He answered, "The man called
Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and
said to me, "Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I How might the blind man have felt when his vision was restored?
went and washed and received my sight."
Physically, emotionally, spiritually?
12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said,
"I do not know."
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man
who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it
was a sabbath day when Jesus made the
mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the
Pharisees also began to ask him how he
had received his sight. He said to them, "He
put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and
now I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees
10
J o h n c o n t ' d A CLOSER LOOK ...
said, "This man is not from God, for he does
not observe the sabbath." But others said,
"How can a man who is a sinner perform
Describe the Pharisees reaction to Jesus' healing of the blind man.
such signs?" And they were divided. 17 So
they said again to the blind man, "What do
you say about him? It was your eyes he
opened." He said, "He is a prophet." 18 The
Jews did not believe that he had been blind
and had received his sight until they called
the parents of the man who had received his
sight 19 and asked them, "Is this your son,
who you say was born blind? How then does
he now see?" 20 His parents answered, "We
know that this is our son, and that he was
born blind; 21 but we do not know how it is
that now he sees, nor do we know who
What is Jesus' response? What does He do?
opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He
will speak for himself." 22 His parents said
this because they were afraid of the Jews; for
the Jews had already agreed that anyone
who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah
would be put out of the synagogue. 23
Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask Describe what you think Jesus' values are from the passage. (E.g.,
him." 24 So for the second time they called
Is Jesus concerned with physical healing over with spiritual healing?
the man who had been blind, and they said
Does that tension exist for Jesus?)
to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this
man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "I do not
know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do
know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26
They said to him, "What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?" 27 He
answered them, "I have told you already, and
you would not listen. Why do you want to
hear it again? Do you also want to become
his disciples?" 28 Then they reviled him,
saying, "You are his disciple, but we are
AN INWARD LOOK
disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has
spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do ·
Are there places in your life where you are suffering and in
not know where he comes from." 30 The
pain?
man answered, "Here is an astonishing
·
Do you want to be healed like the blind man?
thing! You do not know where he comes
·
Are you willing to wade through the pain to find Jesus? He is
from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We
waiting for you he knows what the pain feels like.
know that God does not listen to sinners,
but he does listen to one who worships him
·
Do you believe that Jesus wants to end suffering (physical and
and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world
spiritual) in the world?
began has it been heard that anyone opened ·
What in this story gives you hope?
the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this
man were not from God, he could do
nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were
born entirely in sins, and are you trying to
teach us?" And they drove him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out,
and when he found him, he said, "Do you
believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered,
"And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may
believe in him." 37 Jesus said to him, "You
have seen him, and the one speaking with
you is he." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe." And
he worshiped him.
11
FURTHER LOOK
If you still have questions about suffering, here are some more notes:
C.S. Lewis says "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our
conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
Outside of Jesus, suffering makes no sense. People in pain and needing a full
healing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, are not going to get it outside of
Jesus. Only in context of Jesus, does it make sense. He made the ultimate
sacrifice, giving up his life to save ours. He suffered, to the point of death, so
that we would not have to suffer to eternity.
Jesus' death, but specifically his Resurrection, his ultimate victory over death,
provides hope for all the suffering in the world. It is through God's judgment that
all evildoers and oppressors will be stopped.
Try checking out one of Jesus' famous passages called the Beatitudes in
Matthew 5. Think through the link between suffering and human choice. Much
suffering in the world is caused by people, and their selfish choices. What might
be some helpful modern-day examples of this?
Sister of Mercy in Mozambique, with AIDS orphan.
Taken by Mick Yates, Aug 2005.
THE CHALLENGE
It is easy to find suffering in the world. Try to find, either in the news or in your friends/family's lives, a way that suffering
is being challenged or overcome. Look for ways that God is actively working to end suffering in the world.
Think about yourself. Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? If you care about suffering, what are you doing
about it? Ask yourself if you want to be aligned with real hope, real power to fight suffering and injustice. Ask yourself if
Jesus may be that hope.
Think about this statement by Martin Luther King Jr.: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." God feels
the same way, that's why he is committed to ending suffering and oppression. But evil isn't just outside in the world, it's
also in ourselves. We are at times selfish, uncaring, and apathetic. God is committed to changing us as individuals, so
that we can be faithful to his commitment to changing the world and it's systems and institutions. Ask God for the
healing that you need. Pray for that healing with another person.
12
Jesus and Exclusion
What is poverty? What causes it? Who is Jesus? Why does he
WHAT IS POVERTY?
matter? How do I fit in? Can I even help? What does justice look
WHO IS JESUS?
like? Who brings justice? Who is affected by my choices? What
are our choices? Do I need to change? Do we need to change?
JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE...
Where are injustices happening? How can we discover truth from
L
u
k
e
OPENING QUESTIONS:
7
:
3
6
-
5
0
·
Who do you think are the outcasts in our society or on your
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to
campus?
have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee's
house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in
·
Do you see people being included or excluded most often by
that town who lived a sinful life learned that
Christianity?
Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she
·
What groups of people are excluded?
came there with an alabaster jar of expensive
perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet
weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
A CLOSER LOOK:
tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed
them and poured perfume on them. 39 When
Read Luke 7:3650
the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he
said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he
Who are the Pharisees?
would know who is touching him and what kind
of woman she is--that she is a sinner." 40 Jesus
answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell
you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. 41 "Two people
owed money to a certain moneylender. One
What are the actions of the woman?
owed him five hundred denarii*, and the other
fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay
him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now
which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon
replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger
debt forgiven." "You have judged correctly,"
What is the significance of the alabaster jar?
Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman
and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I
came into your house. You did not give me any
water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her
tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did
not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the
How does Jesus receive the perfume?
time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has
poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell
you, her many sins have been forgiven--as her
great love has shown. But whoever has been
forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to
Who calls the woman a sinner?
her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 The other
guests began to say among themselves, "Who is
this who even forgives sins?" 50 Jesus said to the
woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Why do you think Jesus values her offering more than the
* The denarius was the usual day's wage for a
Pharisees'?
laborer
13
A CLOSER LOOK (cont'd) ...
How does the parable fit into the rest of the story?
How do you see the Pharisee and the woman different in their
approach to Jesus?
Slightly photoshop-altered sign. 2007.
Why does Jesus say: "her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little
loves little"? What is the connection between forgiveness and love?
What does this story tell us about Jesus?
AN INWARD LOOK
·
Where have you seen people excluded by what they do/ who they are?
·
Do you see that exclusiveness in Jesus? Did you expect Jesus to act differently?
·
Where in your life have you felt excluded or not accepted?
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What do you think Jesus would say to people struggling with something, or someone on the margin of society?
FURTHER LOOK
Throughout the Bible, God is constantly calling people to care for the marginalized. Try a word study of scripture in the
Bible for "widow," "orphan," "oppressed," "outcast," "alien," and "destitute". Old Testament books like Isaiah, Amos,
Jeremiah, Zechariah, and Ezekiel are full of these passages. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled this aspect of God's
character by seeking out those on society's margins. Three good examples: Samaritan woman in John 4, the man with
leprosy in Mark 1 and the bleeding woman in Mark 5.
THE CHALLENGE
The Lord is compassionate and
gracious, slow to anger, abounding
Look at your life. Are there things that you think are unforgivable?
in love. He will not always accuse,
Things that you feel like Jesus would condemn you for? Do they keep nor will he harbor his anger forever;
you excluded from Jesus? Ask Jesus for forgiveness. There is nothing he does not treat us as our sins
too great that would keep Him away from you (Psalm 103, Romans
deserve or repay us according to our
8:3739). If you feel comfortable, share some of those things with
iniquities. Psalm 103:8-10
another person.
Are there ways that you've seen the church exclude people that have kept you away from God? Forgive the church for
those things. Let them go, stop letting those things separate you from God.
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