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

4.34–5.11; 1 Cor. 16.1–4; 2 Cor. 8.1–5) and faced no prohibition against building temples, synagogues or shrines for religious purposes. The conversion of a husband led usually to the baptism of the entire household, which included relatives, friends, slaves or freedmen, and even clients. Though the process was very difficult, converted wives were exhorted to win their husbands to Christ through godly behavior (1 Pet. 3.1–6; cf. 1 Cor. 7.14). Such homes then served as centers for prayer and worship (Acts 1.13–14; 2.46; 12.12), pastoral care and fellowship (Acts 16.40; 18.26; 20.20–21; 21.7), hospitality (Acts 16.15, 32–34; 17.5–7; 18.7; 21.8) and especially evangelism (Acts 5.42; 10.22; 16.32; 28.17–18) . Notice how the spreading of the Good News and good works was both organic and spontaneous . This does not undermine the need for a strategy, but shows the spiritual nature of all genuine Christian care . What is striking here is the mixture between a flexible responsiveness to their culture and an openness to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance. This is still a good combination for change for urban leaders and congregations seeking to demonstrate the life of the Kingdom in their perspective neighborhoods. The objectives listed will provide your students with the direction and insight they need to master the materials in the lesson. Ensure that they both understand them and rehearse them throughout the study. This devotion focuses on the need to depend upon the Lord for wisdom. While this lesson will concentrate upon the need for us to exercise the shrewdest kind of judgment and foresight in approaching many of the difficult and intractable problems being faced in the city today, ultimately spreadsheets, research data, and logical plans can never do what the filling of the Holy Spirit can. In Christ Jesus all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge reside (cf. Col. 2.2-3); if we in fact desire to be wise in our endeavors of good works, we will inevitably have to entreat the direction and love of our Lord Jesus. 2 ~ D. S. Lim. “Evangelism in the Early Church.” Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments R. P. Martin, ed. (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Page 102 Devotion