Key Thought: Jesus said one big difference between those who will be saved and lost is as simple as who took care of the hungry and thirsty in His name, or for His sake.

Justice and Mercy in the Old Testament: Part 2 – July 23, 2016

1. Have a volunteer read Ezekiel 37:1-6.

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a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. There is a statement that says God doesn’t send many people to the church because the church is not ready to receive them. How can we make ourselves ready to be safe for God to send people to us?
c. Personal Application : Do you sometimes feel like our church claims to be alive but in reality it’s like the members are dry bones? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “I think people in the church are waiting for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prompt them to do something, rather than stepping out by faith into the sea of humanity and then God can send His Spirit.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ezekiel 47:9-12.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does it that the miry places and marshes won’t be healed, but be given to salt?
c. Personal Application : How do you bring water to the thirsty, and life to those who seem to be dead and dying for the waters of life? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “In what ways is your church a flowing river where life is abundant? Is it a living fountain where people can come and drink and be refreshed?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 61:1-6.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Can a sad, unhappy, heavy-hearted, mourning Christian be a good witness for Christ? What has Jesus promised for these maladies?
c. Personal Application: How much do we spend perfecting praise in our lives to God? To cheer up those who need a word of joy and comfort? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “Why does Go say every believer is a priest and minister to Him? Aren’t priests and pastors and ministers set apart as leaders and shepherds of the flock and paid by the church for their work? How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Micah 6:8.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to do justly and love mercy?
c. Personal Application : How do we keep from getting so involved in helping others in material needs that we neglect their spiritual needs? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing  virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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