I'm curious to know if there are any Church of the Brethren folks following this forum (or other Anabaptists) who are studying this quarter's International Lesson Series, "A Guide for Biblical Studies - God's Prophets Demand Justice" written by Jennifer Hosler and published by Brethren Press. I am finding this to be the most challenging and personally inspiring lesson series I have taught in 30 years of teaching adult Sunday School in the Church of the Brethren.
"Jennifer Hosler is bivocational minister in the Washington City Church of the Brethren in Washington, D.C. She is also a community psychologist and is trained to engage and empower communities to utilize their existing strengths and promote community well-being." -- from the author's bio inside the front cover. She is also a distant relative through marriage.
Copies of this quarterly can be ordered from Brethren Press, 1451 dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois, 60120 or by calling 800 441-3712, or by going online at www.brethrenpress.com. Price is $4.50, $7.50 for large print. This is NOT a solicitation!! Obviously, at the above prices these quarterlies are being provided at below cost.
In an effort to stimulate discussion on this important series of lessons I plan to post snippets from each week's lesson in this thread. But in order to keep this thread easily readable I'm asking people to post discussion in a separate thread titled, "God's Prophets Demand Justice" - please discuss HERE!
Go to this topic to discuss:
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/gods-prophets-demand-justice-please-discuss-here.7892908/
Thanks in advance for your help by following these guidelines!
Here are the concluding paragraphs from the text of the June 7 lesson, which is titled, "Judgment on Israel and Judah". Scripture is Amos 2 through 4 and Psalms 75. (I'll take the blame for any typos).
*********************
For the Glory of God and My Neighbor's Good
The Israelites faced judgment because their faith did not incorporate the pursuit of justice. While the words of Amos are specific to the nation and context of ancient Israel, there are also applications for God's followers today.
We see in Amos that serious accountability awaits people who claim to be faithful servants of God - but are unconcerned with their neighbor's good. As God's people, we are called to care for more than our personal or family welfare. The people of God cannot just seek the good of those within their group, neighborhood, or country. Faithfulness is incomplete without the active pursuit of justice.
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while in a Birmingham jail cell, wrote a letter to his clergy colleagues explaining the need for action and justice for African Americans in the South. To Dr. King, it didn't matter if people lived in Georgia; wherever they lived, they should be concerned about injustice in Alabama. He explained, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."
King challenged his sisters and brothers not to close their eyes in ignorance, not to say, "That's their problem." He called them to see the welfare of others directly linked to their own welfare, and to work to bring justice and wholeness and well-being for all.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to work for justice, wholeness, and the well-being of all people. Christopher Sauer, Jr., an early Brethren minister and printer of books, lived by a motto that hung in his print shop: "For the glory of God and my neighbor's good."
*****************
And below are the concluding paragraphs of the June 14 lesson titled, "God is not fooled". Scripture background: Psalms 14, Job 13:7-12, Matthew 23:23-28, 1 Samuel 15:17-23, Amos 5.
******************
The Israelites, it appears, were certain that they were "in." They self-identified as Israelites, as people of Yahweh. The Israelites thought completing the appropriate religious rituals and practices (vv. 21-23) were enough - but Yahweh was not satisfied with them. In fact, the Lord says through Amos, "I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies" (v. 21). Not only was the Lord dissatisfied with how they worshiped - God detested what they were doing and would not accept their sacrifices or singing. The people of Israel claimed to be concerned with Yahweh, but missed what God considered a crucial part of following faithfully. To put it bluntly, they were deluded.
Judgment for a Faith Lacking Justice
This delusion about the truth of their faith was going to be bad for Israel. The people heard prophets speak of an upcoming encounter with God ("the day of the Lord"), and thought that it was only going to be good for them. They didn't think it possible that God's reckoning would bring judgment to them. The people probably thought to themselves, "Isn't God on our side? Let the day of the Lord come!" Yet Amos cries, "Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!" (v. 18a).
Like running into a bear or being bitten by a snake, so this encounter with Yahweh will not bode well for Israel. In verses 18-20, Amos declares the foolishness of counting oneself on God's side without living out God's justice in the world. The day of the Lord would neither be light nor a blessing to Israel. Judgment on their injustice was going to be inescapable. "God is not fooled by outward acts of worship and a disregard for one's neighbors," Amos preaches. God requires more than rituals, offerings, sacrifices, singing, and praise: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (v. 24). Because their idolatry and injustice broke the people's covenant with Yahweh, the Lord would remove protection from Israel and they would go into exile (vv. 26-27).
God's People Are to Seek Justice and Righteousness
Justice and righteousness are frequently paired throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, including several times in the book of Amos (5:7; 5:24; 6:12). Justice is inseparable from righteousness in the eyes of Yahweh.
This connection of righteousness with justice continues into the New Testament. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches about he Son of Man coming in his glory and judging all the nations. He will beckon some to come, and some he will turn away. The king will beckon those who have given food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, who have welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned (vv. 35-40). Those who did not care for the vulnerable - who either didn't see them or neglected them outright - would not take part in the Son of Man's kingdom.
Both Jesus and Amos teach that true faith in Yahweh comes through the active pursuit of justice. Out of scripture, we see that God's people were to ask themselves: "How do I open my eyes to see the needs of the oppressed, he marginalized, and the vulnerable? How do I train myself to "hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate?" (Amos 5:15).
**************************
Reminder: DO NOT REPLY IN THIS THREAD!!
In an effort to stimulate discussion on this important series of lessons I plan to post snippets from each week's lesson in this thread. But in order to keep this thread easily readable I'm asking people to post discussion in a separate thread which I'll title, "God's Prophets Demand Justice" - please discuss HERE!
GO TO THIS TOPIC TO DISCUSS:
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/gods-prophets-demand-justice-please-discuss-here.7892908/
"Jennifer Hosler is bivocational minister in the Washington City Church of the Brethren in Washington, D.C. She is also a community psychologist and is trained to engage and empower communities to utilize their existing strengths and promote community well-being." -- from the author's bio inside the front cover. She is also a distant relative through marriage.
Copies of this quarterly can be ordered from Brethren Press, 1451 dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois, 60120 or by calling 800 441-3712, or by going online at www.brethrenpress.com. Price is $4.50, $7.50 for large print. This is NOT a solicitation!! Obviously, at the above prices these quarterlies are being provided at below cost.
In an effort to stimulate discussion on this important series of lessons I plan to post snippets from each week's lesson in this thread. But in order to keep this thread easily readable I'm asking people to post discussion in a separate thread titled, "God's Prophets Demand Justice" - please discuss HERE!
Go to this topic to discuss:
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/gods-prophets-demand-justice-please-discuss-here.7892908/
Thanks in advance for your help by following these guidelines!
Here are the concluding paragraphs from the text of the June 7 lesson, which is titled, "Judgment on Israel and Judah". Scripture is Amos 2 through 4 and Psalms 75. (I'll take the blame for any typos).
*********************
For the Glory of God and My Neighbor's Good
The Israelites faced judgment because their faith did not incorporate the pursuit of justice. While the words of Amos are specific to the nation and context of ancient Israel, there are also applications for God's followers today.
We see in Amos that serious accountability awaits people who claim to be faithful servants of God - but are unconcerned with their neighbor's good. As God's people, we are called to care for more than our personal or family welfare. The people of God cannot just seek the good of those within their group, neighborhood, or country. Faithfulness is incomplete without the active pursuit of justice.
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while in a Birmingham jail cell, wrote a letter to his clergy colleagues explaining the need for action and justice for African Americans in the South. To Dr. King, it didn't matter if people lived in Georgia; wherever they lived, they should be concerned about injustice in Alabama. He explained, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."
King challenged his sisters and brothers not to close their eyes in ignorance, not to say, "That's their problem." He called them to see the welfare of others directly linked to their own welfare, and to work to bring justice and wholeness and well-being for all.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to work for justice, wholeness, and the well-being of all people. Christopher Sauer, Jr., an early Brethren minister and printer of books, lived by a motto that hung in his print shop: "For the glory of God and my neighbor's good."
*****************
And below are the concluding paragraphs of the June 14 lesson titled, "God is not fooled". Scripture background: Psalms 14, Job 13:7-12, Matthew 23:23-28, 1 Samuel 15:17-23, Amos 5.
******************
The Israelites, it appears, were certain that they were "in." They self-identified as Israelites, as people of Yahweh. The Israelites thought completing the appropriate religious rituals and practices (vv. 21-23) were enough - but Yahweh was not satisfied with them. In fact, the Lord says through Amos, "I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies" (v. 21). Not only was the Lord dissatisfied with how they worshiped - God detested what they were doing and would not accept their sacrifices or singing. The people of Israel claimed to be concerned with Yahweh, but missed what God considered a crucial part of following faithfully. To put it bluntly, they were deluded.
Judgment for a Faith Lacking Justice
This delusion about the truth of their faith was going to be bad for Israel. The people heard prophets speak of an upcoming encounter with God ("the day of the Lord"), and thought that it was only going to be good for them. They didn't think it possible that God's reckoning would bring judgment to them. The people probably thought to themselves, "Isn't God on our side? Let the day of the Lord come!" Yet Amos cries, "Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!" (v. 18a).
Like running into a bear or being bitten by a snake, so this encounter with Yahweh will not bode well for Israel. In verses 18-20, Amos declares the foolishness of counting oneself on God's side without living out God's justice in the world. The day of the Lord would neither be light nor a blessing to Israel. Judgment on their injustice was going to be inescapable. "God is not fooled by outward acts of worship and a disregard for one's neighbors," Amos preaches. God requires more than rituals, offerings, sacrifices, singing, and praise: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (v. 24). Because their idolatry and injustice broke the people's covenant with Yahweh, the Lord would remove protection from Israel and they would go into exile (vv. 26-27).
God's People Are to Seek Justice and Righteousness
Justice and righteousness are frequently paired throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, including several times in the book of Amos (5:7; 5:24; 6:12). Justice is inseparable from righteousness in the eyes of Yahweh.
This connection of righteousness with justice continues into the New Testament. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches about he Son of Man coming in his glory and judging all the nations. He will beckon some to come, and some he will turn away. The king will beckon those who have given food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, who have welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned (vv. 35-40). Those who did not care for the vulnerable - who either didn't see them or neglected them outright - would not take part in the Son of Man's kingdom.
Both Jesus and Amos teach that true faith in Yahweh comes through the active pursuit of justice. Out of scripture, we see that God's people were to ask themselves: "How do I open my eyes to see the needs of the oppressed, he marginalized, and the vulnerable? How do I train myself to "hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate?" (Amos 5:15).
**************************
Reminder: DO NOT REPLY IN THIS THREAD!!
In an effort to stimulate discussion on this important series of lessons I plan to post snippets from each week's lesson in this thread. But in order to keep this thread easily readable I'm asking people to post discussion in a separate thread which I'll title, "God's Prophets Demand Justice" - please discuss HERE!
GO TO THIS TOPIC TO DISCUSS:
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/gods-prophets-demand-justice-please-discuss-here.7892908/
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