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

Put away your notes, gather up your thoughts and reflections, and take the quiz for Lesson 3, Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: The Urban Community and Neighborhood.

Quiz

Scripture Memorization Review

Review with a partner, write out and/or recite the text for last class session’s assigned memory verse: James 1.5-8.

Turn in your summary of the reading assignment for last week, that is, your brief response and explanation of the main points that the authors were seeking to make in the assigned reading (Reading Completion Sheet).

Assignments Due

Focus on the Family - Yes or No?

Many evangelicals assume without critical thought that our first and primary obligation is to focus on the family. As noble and clear as the primacy of the family is within Scripture, it seems that this doctrine can also be dangerous. After all, our first and primary allegiance must always and forever be to the Lord God himself, whom we are commanded to love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (cf. Deut. 6.4 with Matt. 22.34-40). The second commandment places love of neighbor next to this overwhelming love for God (cf. Lev. 19.18 with Matt. 22.34-40). Surely, the family has a significant and determinative place in our “order of loves,” but are we to focus upon it? How do we care for the members of our family in such a way that does not lead us to an “us and us only” kind of mentality so indicative of so many claiming to know Christ today, but showing little or no interest in the injustice, violence, and oppression in the world?

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Liberal, Conservative, or Pro-Poor?

In a world that loves to divide and separate into factions, interest groups, and political parties, what is the responsibility of believers today in their search to represent with integrity the claims and vision of Jesus in their societies? While many issues related to social justice are hammered into categories defined as either “liberal” or “progressive” or as “conservative” or “responsible,” such labels do not often make it any easier for Christians to know how to vote or participate in the larger societal decision making. Can any Christian today suggest that a political party “stands for” the authentic position of the Kingdom? How are Christians to