Class Lesson January 29, 2012

Hey Gang,

This is our final lesson in this series on the woes of our culture. This week we look at how we can get more personally involved in helping people in need around us.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11; 24:10-22

Two-year-olds are characterized by their greed.

Funny, isn't it, how Christians sound like them in a variety of ways?

 

How would you define greed?



Think about this...

In what ways have we let the greed of society affect our own attitude toward giving?

How to Feed the Poor and Hungry

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The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils (1 Tim. 6:10). What are some of these evils?

• Money can become an idol that takes the place of God.
• It can lead to indifference to the needs of others.
• It can lure people on in the false notion that if a person just had enough money, he or she could buy everything worth having.
• However, in the end, the greedy person leaves all his money behind.

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Why is this true?

• Because it is a faithful use of what God has given you.
• Your resources can be used to meet human needs and express your gratitude to God.
• Doing this brings a sense of joy not found in any other way.

We have an obligation to meet the needs of people our culture would prefer to ignore.

In Deuteronomy, the Lord explains to Israel how their covenant relationship with Him should impact every aspect of their daily lives. This includes their view of poverty and possessions. Israel was to stand out from her pagan neighbors by her compassionate generosity, a reflection of the loving God to whom Israel belonged. Through Moses, the Lord here shows three ways this generosity should play out.


I. SHARE GENEROUSLY – DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11

7 “If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has. 9 Be careful that there isn’t this wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts, is near,’ and you are stingy toward your poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty. 10 Give to him, and don’t have a stingy heart when you give, and because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do. 11 For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.’

Life is for giving, not getting.

Those who have should give to those who have not.

Giving should not be forced, but done freely.

Giving should be open-handed, not tight-fisted.

What are greater forces than greed that encourage generosity?



Are we supposed to give or lend? What is the difference between giving and giving generously?




If there will always be poor and we’re obligated to give, how do we keep from becoming poor ourselves?

• Willingness should be the attitude toward giving rather than looking for an excuse not to give. Prayerfully determine when God wants you to give sacrificially. Sometimes you may hear of a need and feel no divine nudging to give. But when the impression you are to give is strong, don’t harden your heart against that leading. 

Give with an open heart (15:7-11). Moses proposes a situation in which a brother of Israel becomes poor: perhaps through sickness, unfavorable farming weather or even irresponsibility. Whatever the case, the Lord warns about the heart attitude toward that brother. It is easy to hold this needy brother in contempt, giving him nothing; to resentfully calculate whether or not you will be repaid; to dutifully give, yet with a grudging spirit. None of these heart attitudes are acceptable to God: His people are not only to open their hands, but their hearts.



Those hard-hearted attitudes display a disregard for the Lord’s generosity to you, for the wealthiest Israelite is a beggar before a charitable God. Israel must never forget they live in “the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Furthermore, the needy one among them is not an abstract idea called “the poor,” but “your poor brother.” Meditation on these truths will keep God’s people from the greed of the surrounding nations; it will keep their hearts and hands open.

 

II. TREAT WITH DIGNITY – DEUTERONOMY 24:10-15

10 “When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect what he offers as security. 11 You must stand outside while the man you are making the loan to brings the security out to you. 12 If he is a poor man, you must not sleep in the garment he has given as security. 13 Be sure to return it to him at sunset. Then he will sleep in it and bless you, and this will be counted as righteousness to you before the LORD your God. 14 “Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether one of your brothers or one of the foreigners residing within a town in your land. 15 You are to pay him his wages each day before the sun sets, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty.

Helping the needy is a biblical theme.



Rendering such help should be done in a way that enables needy people to preserve their dignity.



A day’s labor deserves a day’s pay.

Lend with a compassionate heart (24:10-13). In receiving a loan, it is customary for a borrower to provide the lender with a pledge to ensure he would repay the loan. Moses instructs the Israelite lender about how to collect this pledge: he is not to proudly charge in to his neighbor’s house like he owns the place, but should wait respectfully outside. This is to treat your needy neighbor with dignity in his time of need.


The neighbor could be so poor that the only pledge he can offer is his cloak. A tough-minded businessman says, “Doing without this should motivate him to repay his loan faster.” But Moses again warns against the dehumanizing that so often takes place when money is involved. He says instead to return the man’s cloak at sundown – why let him shiver all night while his cloak lies in a heap on your floor? This may not sound like smart business, but the borrower will bless you for it. Even more, “it shall be righteousness before the Lord,” and this should be our chief concern.


Pay with an honorable heart (vv. 14-15). Finally, Moses speaks to those who employ hired servants, whether fellow Israelites or sojourners. These employers are to pay their servants’ wages promptly at the end of each day. Because they are poor, they “live from paycheck to paycheck,” and cannot survive if you drag your feet in paying what they are owed. Because they are needy, they are powerless to “fight for their rights,” and rely on you to treat them fairly. Employers should consider their workers, and pay with an honorable heart.




What are two contrasting ways of treating needy people in this passage? What are two contrasting responses?

• Our goal in giving is not just to meet people’s needs but to preserve their dignity as God’s valuable creations.
• Greed has sucked in many who use their power to deny others their dignity and due rights. People with little status in the world have status with God so if they are not treated fairly and with dignity He hears their cries and holds their oppressors accountable.
• We need to be thinking about God when we do business with others because God is thinking of and watching us!
• If people are going to be talking to God about us, let it be because they are thanking God, not complaining about how we treated them.
• Taking over is not treating with dignity. Recognize the person you are helping has intelligence, pride, and worthy ideas.

III. PROTECT WITH MERCY – DEUTERONOMY 24:17-18

17 Do not deny justice to a foreigner or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s garment as security. 18 Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.

Some groups are more vulnerable to exploitation than others.



A society, and individuals within it, is judged by how it treats those who are most vulnerable.



Just as there are many ways to victimize the poor and needy, so are there many ways persons of Christian character can assist them.



Remembering what the Lord has done for you will motivate you to reach out to help others in need.



Don’t wait until you’re rich before you begin helping others who are less fortunate. If you do, you’ll never do more than you are doing now.

 Why did God specifically mention these three groups? What did God want the Israelites to remember and why? What can you remember that would compel you to be more merciful and generous?

• When the Israelites were in slavery, God didn’t just speak sympathetic words to them. He compassionately acted to deliver them.
• We too would be trapped without the kind intervention of Christ. If we consistently ignore the needs of the poor, we have forgotten the work Christ did on the cross to redeem us.
• Our past troubles should make us sensitive to those who are struggling. Don’t let your struggles go to waste! Remember how God has taken care of you through the kindness and mercy of others and do the same for others.

Conclusion

What are forces that are greater than greed’s powerful pull?

• God commands generosity – we’re guilty of sin if we refuse to help others. We counter greed with gratitude and giving. God blesses those who share. Remember how God and others have shared generously with us, treated us with dignity, and protected us when we were vulnerable.
• We can’t give generously to every need. But we can ask God to help us be aware of and take advantage of those needs that have our names written on them.

This lesson is based on several assumptions:

1. That we live in a greedy culture. The truth of this principle is obvious. The goals of many people are possessions and pleasures; and they believe that enough money can purchase both of these.

2. The nature of money. It is the medium of exchange for purchasing the necessities of life and the many other things we want. People in a greedy culture want many things.

3. A person can use his or her money selfishly or unselfishly. He or she can be tight-fisted or open-handed.

4. Some people cannot supply their own needs, usually by circumstances over which they have little or no control.

5. People of biblical faith and love should not be controlled by the culture but by God. When possible, we should be givers, not takers.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me to be a generous giver to people and causes that You want me to help support. Amen. 

This has been a good series to study and we can all relate to the woes of our culture and how easily we can simply become one of the culture.

Be praying this week as we close out this lesson on God's unchanging truths in a changing world.

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson January 22, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we look at the fact that we live in a divided world. All people in all groups were created by one God and have the same basic needs. Human sin, however, has nurtured prejudice and strife between different groups.

A Time to Kill

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 When you look at me, you don't see a man, you see a black man!

Carl Lee would not have received a fair trial in Mississippi if his attorney had not broken down the barriers of judicial prejudice of the jury. Is justice blind? Why is it suppose to be?



We say we aren’t prejudiced, but many of us have prejudged images of others. If we just glance at people without seeing them as God does and keep driving blindly through life, we could tragically miss God’s destination for our lives and theirs. This lesson challenges Christian boomers to identify blind spots – prejudices we may not even be aware of – and intentionally look for ways to overcome them. 

What are blind spots in a vehicle, and why are they dangerous? What blind spots might boomers have when it comes to people? Why are those blind spots dangerous?

Identify your prejudices and intentionally look for ways to overcome them.

Biblical Context

Acts 10 is a major dividing point, not just in the Book of Acts but in the world order. There was no way a Jew could eat with a Gentile and not break a dietary law. Therefore Jews did not associate with Gentiles at all. But in Acts 10, God revealed to Peter what He’d been saying all along in the Old Testament. His eternal purposes were to reach and save people from every nation and culture; and He intended all believers, Jew and Gentile, to interact as one united family. Acts 10 might recount the conversion of a Roman Gentile, but even more it describes the transformation of a prejudiced Jewish Christian. 


The Talmud: "Jews can thank God they are not dogs or Gentiles." This was the barrier in Peter's day between the Jews and the Gentiles.

Unclean

This word was used in biblical passages in two ways – ceremonial and moral. In Acts 10:14, 28 both Peter and God used it in the ceremonial way. The Old Testament contains ceremonial laws about that which is clean and unclean. For instance, there were clean and unclean animals. Eating the meat of an unclean animal rendered a person ceremonially unclean in the sense of not being able to worship in the tabernacle or temple (Lev. 11). In Peter’s day the term was used of anyone who ate unclean food, and even of those who had close contact with those who ate unclean food. Thus Gentiles were automatically considered “unclean” because they did not follow the laws of the Jews. The New Testament shows how God shifted the meaning of the word to refer to moral uncleanness (Eph. 5:5). Peter’s witness to Cornelius is a key passage in this change.

Summary

After Peter’s vision in which God told him that all things are clean, he went with other Jewish men into the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter acknowledged that God had taught him not to call any person common or unclean. Peter preached to Cornelius and to his relatives and friends. Peter spoke of God’s impartial love for all who seek Him. His sermon focused on Jesus Christ. Peter’s hearers believed the gospel message, and as a sign the Holy Spirit came on them in a way that convinced the Jewish believers with Peter that there was no reason to hinder anyone from hearing the good news.

 God doesn't show favoritism and neither should we.

I. CHALLENGE YOUR ASSUMPTIONS – ACTS 10:9-15

9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop about noon. 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common and ritually unclean!” 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.”



What was Peter’s blind spot? How can we recognize ingrained prejudices?



Peter had been raised in a Hebrew household in which each member was thoroughly taught God’s commands, down to the finest details. But when God began to move in the heart of a Gentile named Cornelius, Peter’s understanding of obedience according to the law would be shaken forever. While Peter stayed in Joppa with a tanner named Simon, God prepared Peter for a new stage in his missionary career that would shake him at his core beliefs and prepare for the entry of Gentiles into the church.



Consider a time in your own life when what you thought to be a standard behavior was challenged or questioned.



Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew), had been told in a vision to send for Peter. At the time his men were approaching the house where Peter was staying, Peter went to the rooftop to pray. Hunger pains that hit him hard enough to request some food were straight from God to open Peter’s heart and mind to hear a new message: There was a new standard for foods that are clean and unclean.



When was the last time the Holy Spirit showed you that your assumptions about following God were not actually correct?


God had been very specific to the Jews in His instructions of what to eat and what not to eat and actually considered obedience to these standards as part of what made them set apart. (Lev. 11:44)



What must people do or not do in order to be accepted into our congregation? On what do we base that standard?



It is for this very reason that Peter was appalled at the thought of consuming these unclean animals: God had forbidden it. What Peter didn’t understand, though, was that the law had been fulfilled through the death of Christ, and the standards for holiness had changed from following a list of command to salvation that comes from faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. As Christians who are not expressly prohibited from consuming certain foods, we are often tempted to belittle or disregard the dietary restrictions of other beliefs. However, this topic can often open a door of conversation between a believer and someone who does not know Christ. If led, use this passage to show why Christians do not adhere to eating restrictions.



How can we discern whether God is challenging our assumptions or Satan is testing our convictions?




Points:
1. Man-made barriers stand between people in different groups.

2. These barriers often stand between one group sharing Christ with the other group.

3. Prejudice is inconsistent for Christians.

II. CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR – ACTS 10:22-23, 28-29a
22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.

…………………………………………………………………

28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?”



Cornelius’ men found Peter and told him God had instructed the Roman to send for Peter and hear his message. Surely Cornelius thought that Peter would enlighten him on the truths of Christ. But little did Cornelius know that God’s life-changing message was not for Cornelius alone but also for Peter and every other Jewish Christian. Peter gave them rest for the night and set out with them the next day. Somewhere along the journey to Cornelius’ house, the more pressing – and even more difficult – interpretation of God’s vision became clear to Peter. God was not talking about food alone; He was talking about people!



Whom do you consider to be unclean? Does God consider them to be unclean as well?



Through this new insight, Peter’s entire way of relating to and behaving around others was about to change. Though the idea of removing God’s standards for eating only clean foods would have shaken Peter’s belief system, it may have almost crumbled when he realized that God wanted Peter to treat other people – all other people – with the respect and compassion he would have previously given only to a Jew.



In what ways do you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ differently from those you don’t know or don’t respect?


Peter and the other men likely could not have imagined the effect their decision to embrace God’s new standard would have on Jewish believers and the spread of Christianity. We cannot know God’s standards for how we are to respond to people, situations, and struggles unless we are committed to and actively pursuing His will through His Word.



Do you think it was harder for Peter to host the Gentiles or to accept Cornelius’ hospitality?



What might be our attitude and actions if we view our nation’s immigration challenges only as a political issue? What will be our attitude and actions if we view those challenges as ministry opportunities? How can we build relationships with people of other nationalities and races?




Points:

1. Because the gospel is for all people, Christians must boldly cross barriers to tell the good news.

 

 

III. CLARIFY THAT JESUS IS LORD OF ALL – ACTS 10:34-36

34 Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.


In two separate visions, Cornelius had been told to send for Peter and Peter had been instructed to adjust his understanding of clean and unclean. A crowd had gathered and the meeting had begun. All eyes were on Peter as he began speaking the words for which Cornelius and his friends had been waiting expectantly.



If you found yourself as the speaker in this situation, what would be the first thing out of your mouth? How would your first statement demonstrate the importance of your words?



First, Peter admitted his understanding that God does not show favoritism. We cannot begin to imagine the difficulty of this truth for Peter, primarily because the Jews had always been God’s favorite nation and Peter himself was a Jew and part of Jesus’ inner circle. Simply, Peter was giving up the significance he felt in God outside of Christ.



What attributes make us feel that we are God’s favorites? Where did we develop those attitudes?



Peter next explained what makes a person acceptable to God: fearing Him and doing righteousness. Notice that a person is not merely declared righteous but they must have a life characterized by being right before God. And though the message of righteousness came through the Jews, Peter gave full credit to the One who fulfilled that righteousness: Jesus Christ.



Can you succinctly explain – in everyday words – what it takes to be made right before God?



Peter was willing to give up his preferred status in order to draw others to Christ. By admitting that Jesus is Lord of all, he was demonstrating that no longer did the Jews have the monopoly on God’s favor and love; Jesus had made it available to every nation. God sent Peter out of his comfort zone. Peter had to leave behind the house in which he was staying, his understanding of how a righteous person should eat, and his unbelief’s of how God viewed people in order to spread the truth of Christ. We too must regularly leave our comfort zones in a variety of ways in order to live for Him. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading as He directs you to go physically, emotionally, or socially into the world.



Why does God challenge our assumptions and call us to change our behavior? What is our challenge if Jesus is Lord of all? How can we proclaim His message of peace in a divided culture?




We live in a divided world. All people in all groups were created by one God and have the same basic needs. Human sin, however, has nurtured prejudice and strife between different groups. Acts 10 is a powerful story with its background of the tension between Romans and Jews in the first century. Their prejudice and strife are examples of the divisive spirit that pervades many groups, yet they found in Christ common ground for treating one another as God intended.



What steps do you take to overcome blind spots in your car? What steps can we take to overcome blind spots toward others?






In light of the lesson Peter learned from this event, how prejudiced are you?



How can Christians practice love in a divided world?

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Amen.

Well, we are certainly covering all the ills of society - Drinking, Immorality, Sanctity of Human Life, and now Prejudice! Next week we will close this series on GREED. These are always good lessons to develop personal convictions about each topic as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Be in prayer this week as we discuss the prejudices we all face - today!

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan