JUSTICE OF GOD
I. Video ? https://youtu.be/AWtwRZ5duoI
As we forgive Movie Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Nn8HMXynw
As we forgive Movie 1:20’
II. Pertanyaan pembuka https://fervr.net/teen-life/justice-and-the-gospel
Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly with God
MICHAEL HYAM 24 MAY 2012
Online Bachelor's Degrees - Find Out More
What is Biblical Justice?
Multiple Choice: According to the Bible, which of these are “justice” issues?
(a) Helping another student at school who is being bullied.
(b) Doing the 40 Hour Famine.
(c) Collecting cans for Anglicare ʻToys and Tuckerʼ.
(d) Working to change Australiaʼs current policies regarding Asylum Seekers.
Answer: All of the above!
Justice is caring for the vulnerable
In the Old Testament, God the Father is very clear about how He wants his people to live. One passage that is a good summary is Micah 6:8:
He [God] 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.
To act justly and love mercy may at first glance seem to be two different ideas, but they are not. To act justly emphasizes the way that we act, whilst mercy emphasizes our attitude, or motives, behind our actions. This means that to walk with God or live the way he wants we must do justice out of merciful love towards others.
What does 'acting justly' look like?
1. Making sure that you treat everyone the same, even those from a different race or social status.
You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 24:22)
2. Taking care of the poor, the widow or the stranger. Today this would include refugee, migrants, single parents and homeless people.
This is what the LORD Almighty says: ʻAdminister true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each otherʼ (Zechariah 7:9-10).
Justice reflects the character of God
Ultimately, we should be concerned for the poor and vulnerable because God is!
God describes himself as the ʻfather to the fatherlessʼ (Psalm 68:4-5) and commands as a part of Israelʼs worship and community life that ʻCursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” (Deuteronomy 27:19).
Later in the Psalms, we read:
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked" (Psalm 146:7-9).
Godʼs people were to create a culture of social justice for the poor and vulnerable, a culture that would reveal Godʼs glory and His character (Deut. 4:6-8).
What can you do about justice?
As we begin to think about the concept of “justice” we need to realise that it is more than just caring for the poor. Justice is an issue that affects all of our relationships.
For Christians ʻbeing justʼ is not simply about doing the right thing but refers to our day to day living and all the relationships we are a part of. That means at least treating people with fairness, generosity and equality.
Who are the people in your life who face that need help?
What can you do, either at school or as a group, to help the disadvantaged or poor in your area?
Next time you go for a walk around your neighborhood or around the school playground, why not take note of those who are on the outer, those who are not included. And think about what you can do to bring justice to those that need it.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute" (Proverbs 31:8).
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Youth Ministry 101: Session 1: The Bible, Justice, and Forgiveness
Lesson Plan for Grades 7th-12th
By Adam Ericksen
Lesson: Students will explore the concept of “Justice.”
Teaching Point:
Much of what our culture teaches us about justice revolves around retributive justice. That is, justice that is based on punishment. This idea is related in the Bible, but there is another kind of justice that seeks healing and restoration of relationships. That justice is called restorative justice.
Supplies: Bibles, flip chart, markers, paper, pens, television hooked up to the Internet to show video “As We Forgive: The Story of Rwanda’s Redemption.” The video can be found, along with my reflection on this class, on the Raven Foundation website in the Resource section, Youth Ministry 101.
Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22
Time: 45 minutes
Say: (While handing out paper and pens) Today we are going to talk about “Justice.” I want you to take a minute and write down what justice means to you. After you’ve taken a minute I will invite you to discuss.
Do: Invite your group to reflect together about the concept of “justice.” Write down on the flip chart what each person says. If something is repeated, underline the original phrase.
Possible responses include:
1. People have basic needs met: food, water, shelter, clothing
2. People are punished for the harm they cause (point out that this is called “retributive justice”
3. People are fair to one another
4. Harmony
5. People get what they deserve
6. Justice that restores/heals relationships
Ask: Good. Now I want to show you a video that is about justice. But first, who can tell me what genocide is?
1. Genocide is the attempt to kill an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group. Ask: Can anyone think of a recent genocides?
Examples include: Genocide of Jewish people under Nazi oppression and Rwandan genocide where the Hutus tried to kill all Tutsis.
Say: (As you pass out the handout) We’re going to watch this video. As you watch, think of what justice might mean in this situation. Does anyone in the video say anything that you find important? Is there hope for justice, or are they doomed to injustice?
Do: Watch the video.
Ask: What are your thoughts on the video?
Some questions you could ask are:
1. Invite them to share any statements they thought were significant.
2. Is justice possible in this situation?
3. Why do you think the president of Rwanda released those who attempted to commit genocide?
4. Who in the video is experiencing pain?
5. How do can they heal?
6. What did you think of the statement, “If we let them be consumed by that ongoing bitterness and anger, it’s like an acidic content in a metal container. It will eventually eat the container up. When they forgive, it gets released.”
7. Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us?
8. Why is it so difficult to forgive ourselves when we hurt others?
Say: Now, the people who wrote the Bible were very honest about the in justice they experienced. They wrote about the injustice they committed, and the injustice they inflicted upon others. That’s because all humans experience injustice. But the Bible also points to healing. Jesus makes the claim that the only way to heal is through forgiveness. Open your Bibles to Matthew 18:21- 22. Here, Jesus has a conversation with one of his closest disciples, Peter. When you are all there, somebody please read.
Ask: What do you think is going on here?
Points to make
1. Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone in the church for committing a sin. We could equate committing a “sin” with committing an “injustice.”
2. Say: 7 was a symbolic number for completeness, or wholeness. When Peter says, “As many as 7 times?” He suggests that his forgiveness is complete. But Jesus responds say, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy seven times.”
1. Ask: What do you think Jesus meant by that?
Possible answer: When it comes to injustice, we will always need to forgive – both those who commit injustice against us and we need to forgive ourselves when we commit injustice.
Ask: How would your school be different if justice was based not on punishment, but on reconciliation and forgiveness?
Possible answers:
1. More chaos
2. More friendships
3. More taking advantage of others
4. More people would be open to forgiving if they saw others doing it
Ask: Would anyone like to lead us in prayer as we leave?
Example: Hi God. Thank you for today, for bringing us together. We ask that you lead us into your justice of love and mercy. Help us to be reconcilers of the world. Help us to accept the forgiveness you give to us, and help us to forgive others, and to forgive ourselves. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
As We Forgive Video Script
If they tell you that a murderer has been released in the neighborhood, how would you feel? And this time we weren’t releasing one. We were releasing forty thousand.
In 1994, Rwandans did the unthinkable.
When you consider a million people who got destroyed at the hands of their neighbors. When you get to one million people dead it becomes impossible to exert justice.
The president of Rwanda passed a decision to release the perpetrators who had confessed to their role in genocide. So far, fifty thousand have been released.
Today, Rwandans face an impossible dilemma.
Why on earth should a survivor of the genocide of Rwanda forgive somebody who murdered either their mother or husband or brother or sister?
Out of 30 family members my brother and I are the only ones who survived.
On my own I killed seven people. I did not believe there could be any deliverance for me. Somebody has to tell them you have permission for forgiveness.
In my heart I have no mercy for these people.
I haven’t asked for forgiveness because I’ve been so ashamed.
I’m begging you to have mercy.
If we let them be consumed by that ongoing bitterness and anger, it’s like an acidic content in a metal container. It will eventually eat the container up. When they forgive, it gets released.
We have rebuilt the roads. We have rebuilt the schools. We have rebuilt the hospitals. But rebuilding the hearts of people remains a big challenge.
Are you pressing reconciliation with the one who killed your father? How do I reconcile with one who killed my family? Forgive? Forgiveness is not human. It’s divine.
As we forgive those A film by Laura Waters Hinson - www.asweforgivethose.com
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