Date: January 19, 2020
How Can God Use Me When Others Suffer?
The Point: God calls us to stand up for those who suffer from injustice.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
NBC recently aired a one-hour special program to mark the milestone that the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is the longest-running prime time drama in television history. The program featured current and former members of the cast. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit show tells the story of a squad of NYPD detectives as they investigate crimes.
Say: This long-running series is just one of many tv programs and movies that are related to tracking down criminals and bringing about justice for crime victims. Call attention to Question #1 (What are some movies or TV shows that speak to our desire for justice?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Get Into the Study (Option)
After asking Question 1, play a video clip that demonstrates people’s desire for justice. Here’s an example.
From Adult Leader Guide, page 93.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #4.
Blake Rajahn is a six-year-old who lives in Georgia. When time came for him to start school this past fall, his mom told him she would make him a t-shirt and put any design or wording on it that he wanted. Blake asked his mom to put a simple message on the t-shirt – “I will be your friend.” Blake told his mom that he wanted that message on the shirt “for all the kids who need a friend to know that I am here for them.” Blake himself had experienced some bullying in the past. Blake’s mom, Nikki, who made the t-shirt for him to wear, said, “He wants to meet people right where they are, just like Jesus does.” News of Blake’s t-shirt spread and soon that one t-shirt had grown into an anti-bullying campaign. Since then Nikki has launched a nonprofit called I Will Be Your Friend to raise money for random acts of kindness. And they are selling t-shirts, like the one she made for Blake, with a part of their t-shirt sales going to the Real Life Center, a nonprofit that helps families in crisis in the area where they live.
Say: Blake Rajahn was concerned about his classmates who might struggle with not having friends—and then he made a plan to try and help meet that need. Note that there are many concerns in our world today (the examples of injustice and oppression named in response to question #3). Then call attention to Question #4 (Where do you see God’s people effectively addressing these concerns?). Invite volunteers to respond to the question, thinking about ways we can better respond to the injustice and oppression we see.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Study the Bible (Option)
Play a commercial or “call to action” from an organization such as World Vision or Compassion International. Close your time together by encouraging group members to share how they felt as they watched.
From Adult Leader Guide, page 101.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “justice”? Why?
- Who’s a humanitarian or activist you admire?
- What are some movies or TV shows that speak to our desire for justice?
Isaiah 58:3-5
- How would you describe the problem Isaiah addressed in these verses?
- When are our religious practices pleasing to God?
- How do Christians often just “go through the motions”?
Isaiah 58:6-7
- What emotions do you experience when you read these verses?
- What steps can our group take toward helping to bring relief to those in need?
- What does verse 6 teach us about God’s heart for His people?
Isaiah 58:8-11
- Where do you see opportunities to serve as a “light” in our community?
- What do you find hopeful in these verses?
- What motivates you to help others in need?
Member Extra
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Video
Here’s a brief video giving you an overview of this session: When Life Gets Hard, Session 2. –
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