Injustice

To do justice is to do what is right for someone else.

Q: Can you recap the stories of I Sam. 20:1-4 and John 11?

The ABCDEs of responding to injustice.

Acknowledge and lament.

Q: Why would Jonathon’s dismissal of David’s plea for help (at first) be so painful?
Q: Is there an injustice you’ve dismissed too quickly?

Begin learning.
Q: In what area should you learn through reading and relationships?

Care for their whole being.
Q: In what ways does HP care for people…
…Physically?
…Emotionally?
…Spiritually?

Discern what you should do.
a. Am I called to engage?
b. Is God providing me with the means, resources, gifting?
c. Have I sought God’s guidance?
d. Have I sought wise counsel?
e. Are my heart and head in the right place? Do I need the credit or glory or spotlight?
f. With whom will I partner?

Engage.

Q: Engaging may mean you defend others. Whom might God be calling you to defend? How can you do so in a way that honors Jesus?

Andy Stanley says, “Do for the one what you wish you could do for everyone.”

Wade Landers says, “God always tells you to start with what’s right in front of you. If he wants to expand that, he will.”

All of this wrapped in prayer, in humility and prayer.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that he entered into an unjust world. And he died for unjust people – people like you and me.

Q: Is there a way that you can serve a family in need this semester?

Extra: Want to explore another chapter with lots of “injustice” application? Read II Samuel 12.

Resources
Whose Justice? Which Rationality? by Alasdair MacIntyre

Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate by Jenny Yang and Matthew Soerens (If you want to learn about immigration, start here.)

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (foundational book for our Food Pantry)

Deep Justice in a Broken World by Chap Clark and Kara Powell (Biblically rich book designed for student ministries)

Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins

Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission)

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton

Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah