Walk Hard

Series: Connections Gives Back
May 25, 2008

Opening:
Last week we heard about the International Justice Mission (ijm.ca) and their Four-Fold Purpose:
1. Victim Relief
2. Perpetrator Accountability
3. Structural Prevention
4. Victim Aftercare
Justice is of the utmost concern for our God. Read the following verses: Psalm 9:8, 16, Psalm 36:6, Proverbs 18:5, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 21:12, Amos 5:21-24, Matthew 12:18, Luke 11:24, Romans 3:22-26, Revelation 19:11. Discuss the four-fold purpose.

Digging Deeper:
Read Micah 6:1-8
Discuss the setting and background of this passage. Place the three-fold command in context. Come up with a biblical definition of Justice, Mercy and a Humble Walk. Examine your walk with God in light of the four characteristics discussed:
1. Putting God in the Lead
2. Going His Direction
3. Moving at His Pace
4. Agreeing on the Destination

Closing:
Look at the Sea to Sea insert. Discuss ways your group can help end the cycle of poverty in our community or in our world. How can your group support the riders from our church?

Read more at seatosea.org

Seek Justice

Series: Connections Gives Back
Read the sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com or listen at connectionschurch.ca

Opening:
Justice is of the utmost concern for our God- agree or disagree? Read the following verses: Psalm 9:8, 16, Psalm 36:6, Proverbs 18:5, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 21:12, Amos 5:21-24, Matthew 12:18, Luke 11:24, Romans 3:22-26, Revelation 19:11

Digging Deeper:
Read over the IJM insert from the bulletin (or go to IJM.ca for other resources. IJM's Four-Fold Purpose

• Victim Relief - Relieve the victim of the abuse currently being committed.
• Perpetrator Accountability - Bring accountability and just consequences under the law to the specific perpetrator(s) of abuse.
• Structural Prevention - Prevent the abuse from being committed against others who are also at risk by strengthening community factors that are likely to deter potential oppressors, reduce the vulnerability of at-risk populations and empower local authorities to stop such abuses.
• Victim Aftercare - Provide access to services to help victims transition to their new lives and to encourage long-term success.

Read Micah 6:1-8
Discuss the setting and background of this passage. Place the three-fold command in context. Come up with a biblical definition of Justice.

Closing:
Discuss ways you, your group and our church might become agents of justice in God’s world. Next week we’ll look closely at the love of mercy and a humble walk with God.

_____
1 Listen to what the LORD says:
"Stand up, plead your case before the mountains;
let the hills hear what you have to say.

2 Hear, O mountains, the LORD's accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the LORD has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.

3 "My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me.

4 I brought you up out of Egypt
and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
also Aaron and Miriam.

5 My people, remember
what Balak king of Moab counseled
and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD."

6 With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?

7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Mother's Day

May 11, 2008

Opening:
Read 1 Samuel 1:1-20
Just review the story briefly. Use a study bible to put the story in context within redemptive history.

Digging Deeper:
Read 1 Samuel 1:21-2:11
Hannah had (approximately) 3-4 years with Samuel. It’s hard to imagine giving up a child so young, yet old enough to truly develop a bond. Look over the song of Hannah. Spend some time looking into the personal nature of this song- how does it reflect Hannah, Samuel and God’s character.
Think about your own upbringing. What was the song your parents sang over you? Or, what do you wish they sang/prayer over you? If you are a parent, how can we begin to sing the songs of our children? How do we shape and direct them, while letting them grow into their own persons? What does it look like for us, in practice, to give our children to God? In what ways does this free us? In what ways does it intensify our responsibilities?

Closing:
Take a few minutes to write a song over yourself, your spouse, or your child(ren). Share this with the group if you are comfortable.