Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Mentor's Guide, MG16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

Conclusion

» The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the creator of all things, and his Son our Savior Jesus is Lord, and these truths reinforce our understanding of the need for us to serve our urban communities in justice and mercy. » As the locus and agent of the Kingdom, the urban church serves its community, striving to be a good neighbor, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and the priesthood of the Lord. » The Church of Jesus Christ is called to organize itself for the purpose of making a difference in the urban community. Please take as much time as you have available to answer these and other questions that the video brought out. In this segment we saw the way in which the Nicene Creed provides theological foundations for understanding the call for social justice. In the fact of God as creator and Jesus Christ as Lord of all we have the basis of all social justice: this is our Father’s world , and Jesus is Lord . As his body in the world, the Church serves as the locus (place) of God’s working as well as his agent (ambassador) through whom he works. Understanding how the Church has viewed its relationship to the world will help you greatly as you seek to understand your own response to injustice where you live and minister. Make certain that you grasp the basic facts and claims before you proceed to the next segment. Be sure to back up your arguments and commentary with the Word. 1. How does the teaching of the Nicene Creed regarding God as creator and the lordship of Jesus Christ provide us with foundational insight on the nature of social justice in the world today? Why must we begin all discussions of justice and mercy with the truth of God as maker and Christ as King? 2. In what sense can we say that all the heavens and the earth belongs to God ? Because Jesus is the Lord of the Church, why is it then important for the Church to follow strictly his commandment and vision about the world and its needs ? 3. In what sense can we say that the Church is the locus or focal point of God’s redemptive activity in the world? What does it mean to suggest that the Church is an eschatological community ?

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Student Questions and Response

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