Sunday, October 21, 2018 - "Justice: What we do"
How often do we think about acts of justice resulting in freedom, dignity, and peace for ourselves and others? How do we understand our day to day actions as be engaged in acts of justice?
Scriptures
Romans 5:1-11
Isaiah 32:16-17
Psalm 35:24, 145:17
Hymns and Other Music
Canticle of the Turning
Lord, Prepare Me
In Christ Alone
Horizon (A New Day)
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Reflection Questions
How does God impact the way you live day to day?
How have difficult situations or events changed you for the better?
How have you felt God’s love in your life?
What types of relationships do you think would be helpful for you in the future?
What does a restored relationship with God look like?
Bible Challenge
Young Disciples
Who will shepherd the sheep? Clue: Isaiah 61
Adults
Who will be the farmers and the vinedressers? Clue: Isaiah 61
Further Study
Isaiah 1:16b-17 – Remove your ugly deeds from my sight. Put an end to such evil; learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.
Romans 1:16-17– I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is God’s own power for salvation to all who have faith in God, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. God’s righteousness is being revealed in the gospel, from faithfulness for faith, as it is written, The righteous person will live by faith.
Romans 3:21-26 – But now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which is confirmed by the Law and the Prophets. God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him There’s no distinction. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over sins that happened before, during the time of God’s patient tolerance. He also did this to demonstrate that he is righteous in the present time, and to treat the one who has faith in Jesus as righteous.
Quote
“God calls all human beings to live in relationships with God and their neighbors, relationships that express love, justice, and peace. These qualities are called virtues, or admirable traits; they empower human beings to realize their highest potential. People arrive at this stage through the grace of God and by practicing the virtues-by being honest, kind, generous, forbearing, and just. – Thomas L. Schubeck’s book “Love that does Justice”
Glossary of Terms
-Rightouesness (dikaiosyne) – is that quality of life in relationship with others in the community that gives rise to justice.
-Judgment/Justice (kima/krisis) – is the establishment of the right, and of the person in the right, through fair legal procedures.
-Righteous/Justified Ones(dikaios/dikaioi)
-To justify - to set right
Music Playlist
Standby Sly and the Family Stone (1969)
What’s Going On? by Marvin Gaye (1971)
How Do You Like Me Nowby Toby Keith (1999)
Gloryby Common and John Legend (2014)
Further Conversations with Others
(This is a challenge to engage others in conversation over the next week. Here are a couple of questions to help discuss with others)
How do you think the relationships you currently have are impacting your perspective on justice and righteousness?
What new relationships do you need to cultivate to learn more about righteousness and justice?