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

Doing Justice and Loving Mercy (1) The Urban Congregation

Welcome to the Mentor’s Guide for Lesson 2, Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: The Urban Congregation . This lesson focuses on the congregation’s role and responsibility to be a place where the justice and mercy of God are both experienced as well as expressed to others. Indeed, Christian love and charity were designed by the Lord to “begin at home,” i.e., in the relationships of brothers and sisters in the church. Where a Christian leader ignores or bypasses his or her responsibility to be concerned especially with the welfare and edification of their brothers and sisters in the church, they will inevitably lose the moral authority to demonstrate that same care to others who are outside the faith. For us who believe, we are to do good, but especially to those of the household of faith. Gal. 6.10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Eph. 2.19 - So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. 1 John 3.13-19 - Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. [15] Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. [16] By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? [18] Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. [19] By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him. 1 John 5.1 - Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. John 13.34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all A number of NT texts underwrite this important claim:

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