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! ” ! # $ DAY 1: Gods’ Promises to the Poor Read these verses and list some specific promises that God makes to the poor. Psalm 14:6 Psalm 34:6 Psalm 35:10 Psalm 140:12 Isaiah 41:17-18 Psalm 68:9-10 Psalm 113:5-8 Proverbs 22:22-23 Isaiah 25:1-5 Luke 4:17-21 • Give some examples of how Jesus’ life demonstrated God’s compassion and love for the poor? A person’s belief about the causes of poverty will most likely determine their response to the poor. In Restoring At-Risk Communities two philosophies of the causes of poverty are presented. One side says the poor are at fault because they make bad choices, and the other side says that society is at fault because it oppresses the poor. DAY 2: THE CAUSES OF POVERTY ! ” ! # ” %# $ &’ ) + (* ! ! + ! &- . ,- • What do you believe … who is mostly at fault … what percentage would you use? How about the average single mom on welfare? How about the average homeless person? DAY 2 cont’d: THE CAUSES OF POVERTY Looking at the root words for “poor” in the Bible can give us some insight as to who God thinks is at fault for poverty. There are five root words for “poor”. Notice the number of times each is mentioned in Scripture. People are poor because of their own sin. “Chaser” – To suffer lack of bread and water; to hunger (36 times) (Prov 13:25; 6:10-11; 21:5; 22:16; 21:17; 28:22) People are poor because of misfortune or natural calamity. “Ebyon” – Needy and dependent (61 times) “Dal” – The frail poor, the weak (57 times) (Job 29:15-16; 1 Sam 2:8; Deut 15:11; Psalm 146:9) People are poor because of injustice and oppression. “Rush” – The impoverished through dispossession (31 times) “Ani” – Poverty caused by affliction & oppression (80 times) (Isaiah 42:22; Prov 13:23; Amos 2:6-7; Isaiah 10:1-2) [Taken from: Companion to the Poor by Viv Grigg, p 25-41] • What does this information indicate about the causes of poverty? How does it compare with the two theories we just reviewed? • How do you think a Christian should respond differently toward a person in each of the categories? “The biblical response to poverty caused by sin is to preach the gospel to the sinner, but the biblical response to sin caused by poverty is to destroy the curse of poverty.” (Viv Grigg, Companion to the Poor, p146) DAY 3: OUR RESPONSE TO THE POOR Read Deut 15:1-11, Deut 24:19-22, and Ps 82:3-4 and tell what specific expectations God had for the Israelites in their treatment of the poor? Read Acts 4:32-37, James 1:27, James 2:14-17, and 1 John 3:17-18 and tell what specific expectations God had for the early Church in their treatment of the poor? • What are some similarities and differences between America’s welfare system and God’s plan for providing for the poor? • How does the attitude of the early church toward possessions and wealth differ from the attitude of many Western Christians today? DAY 3 cont’d: OUR RESPONSE TO THE POOR The Consequences of our Obedience and Disobedience: ! ” # ” $! % ! &’ ! ( ) !) * + , “People often ask ‘Were you called to minister to the poor?’ We are all called to minister to the poor. Such a ministry is the logical obedience of any disciple imitating the attitudes, character and teaching of Jesus. He commands everyone to renounce all (Luke 14:33), to give to the poor and live simply. But we would need a special call to minister primarily to the rich or middle-class, for the focus of Christian ministry is ‘good news to the poor.’ Not all, however, are called to a life of identification with the poor by living among them!” “We are to enjoy life, but with and for the poor and needy.” “My message to the middle-class could be summed up by the following five slogans: Earn much, Consume little, Hoard nothing, Give generously, Celebrate life.” Viv Grigg, Companion to the Poor, p80 & 84 How has God spoken to you (through this lesson, and through your experiences this summer) about your responsibility to the poor? What are some practical changes that you need to make in your life to be obedient to God’s passion for the poor? What obstacles keep you from making those changes? Are you willing to do what it takes to overcome those obstacles? “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 22:16 FURTHER REFLECTION AND APPLICATION : What are practical steps that I can take toward serving the poor? 1. Seek opportunities to act compassionately toward the poor. • • Read Acts 3:1-10 and notice the following principles: ? Peter and John did not ignore the crippled beggar; they looked directly into his eyes. By doing so, they showed him respect and affirmed his dignity as a person. ? They did not give him money, but the did seek to meet both his physical and spiritual needs. Do you practice these principles when you meet poor people? What else can you do? 2. Beware of a ‘Charity Mentality’. “Acts of charity can be dangerous, because givers can feel good about actions that actually accomplish very little, or even create dependency.” – John Perkins. • Read Isaiah 58:6-12 note how the things Isaiah mentions go beyond charity? • What practical principles can you apply from this passage? 3. Keep careful tabs on your attitude towards money and possessions. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19. • What practical insights are given to Timothy? • Is it a sin to be rich? Should a person seek wealth and a good income? • Do you view your possessions and money as your own, or are you God’s steward? • How important is it to you to designate a portion of your income to the poor? 4. Avoid the trappings of the “American Dream.” We are taught here in America to climb the corporate ladder of success, acquire as much wealth as we can, and to watch out for “#1.” • Read 2 Corinthians 8:9. What was Jesus’ example? Was He concerned with “Upward Mobility?” • How do you struggle with wanting to have money, fame, and power? • How can you guard against this trap? 5. Stand up against injustice. In Isaiah 61:8 God says that He loves justice. When the weak and frail are being unjustly treated, we need to stand up for them. • What are the situations that you have seen where people have been treated unfairly? • What are areas where you can be an advocate for justice? 6. Do not show partiality. • • Look at James 2:1-9, 16. How were the believers James was writing to treating the poor? To whom do you show partiality? LEADER’S GUIDE TO GROUP DISCUSSION: “Passion for the Poor” Review of Day 1: God’s Promises to the Poor • • • Why do you think God takes such a strong stance on behalf of the poor? Do you see evidence of Him fulfilling these promises to the poor? Give some examples of how Jesus’ life demonstrated God’s compassion and love for the poor? Review of Day 2: The Causes of Poverty • • • How does a person’s belief about poverty determine what their response to it will be? How do the two theories from Restoring at Risk Communities and the word study on ‘poor’ change your view of the causes of poverty. Have you seen examples of each cause of poverty this summer? How do you think a Christian should respond differently toward a person in each of the categories? 1. Poor because of personal sin. 2. Poor because of calamity. 3. Poor because of oppression. Review of Day 3: Our Response to the Poor • • • • • What was the God’s plan in the Old Testament for providing for the poor? How did His plan change in the New Testament? Did any of the rewards or curses surprise you? How did they make you feel as you looked back over the list? Do you think God expects the same things of us, or were those standards just for the OT / NT believers? Take a look at Ezekiel 16:49-50. a. Why do most people think Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? (See Genesis 19) b. Why does Ezekiel say they were destroyed? c. If this is what happened to them, what do you think will be the outcome on judgement day for people and nations who neglect the poor? d. Do the things mentioned in Ezekiel remind you of any country today? Application: • • • • What was your response to the quote by Viv Grigg “We are all called to minister to the poor”? Have each student tell what type of career they would like to go into. What are ways that you can serve the poor in the context of those careers? Are there any specific action points that you want to share with the group? How were the suggestions on the “Application” worksheet helpful in thinking through practical ways to respond to the poor?