KINGS LIFE GROUP NOTES Eastbourne Sunday 15 th May Teaching Series: Citizens Part 2 This week saw the start of a new teaching series entitled Citizens. In fact this is effectively an extension of a series we ran last year covering such topics as economics, politics, welfare, justice etc. Now we're going to be looking at subjects like singleness, homosexuality, education and other culturally relevant topics. Natalie Williams, who is on the staff at Kings Church Hastings, began the series talking on Poverty. Natalie is responsible for overseeing social action at Kings. She is also co-author of the book The Myth of the Undeserving Poor. Review: Poverty Natalie explained that care for the poor is rooted in the Bible and not, as some may think, just in the New Testament. For example, the Mosaic Law stated that wages should be paid immediately and not deferred, that interest shouldn t be charged on loans, that people shouldn t be exploited, that tithes are not just for priests but also for the poor. There were two specific provisions that particularly demonstrated God s heart for the poor the 7 th year, when debts were cancelled (Deut 15:1) and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-17) where debts were cancelled and any Israelite who had become poor and had to become a slave would be released to go back to their own family. The whole economic system was built on grace. And Jesus Himself said that one of the key hallmarks of how well His followers know Him is how we treat those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, without clothes, sick and in prison. The gospel is good news to the poor (Luke 4:18) QUESTIONS 1. Natalie compared two passages in scripture showing how those in need were treated. One related to King David s treatment of Mephibosheth, Jonathan s lame son, and the other to how the Father treated the wayward (prodigal) son in the parable of the Prodigal. Read the stories here in 2 Samuel 9: 1-13 and Luke 15:11-24 a. Compare these two passages and list how you might feel towards Mephibosheth and how you might feel towards the wayward son. Natalie put it this way: Mephibosheth In need through no fault of his own A victim of circumstances beyond his control Humble and grateful for David s kindness The wayward son In need entirely through his own fault squandered his wealth in wild living and we find out from the older brother in the story that the money went on prostitutes! His own bad decisions got him here. b. Now bringing this up to date, look at the attached sheet. In your view in what order would you put each situation with most deserving being first and least deserving last. Afterwards explain your reasoning. (You can print off the sheet and hand out to each person).
c. When we look at these situations from our perspective we make judgements. When we look at them from God s perspective, the result is very different. On what basis does God show compassion? God s compassion is based upon who he is, not on the object of his kindness. Look at the following: Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Deut 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. Psalm 12:5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them 1 Sam 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. Psalm 146:7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, Psalm 109:31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him. Psalm 14:6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. 2. How can we learn to overcome our prejudices where we may feel that people are undeserving? Note: So important to remember that we may not know everyone s story and how they ended up in their current situation even if it looks like it s all their fault. Jesus showed compassion. We must remember that outside of Christ our lives were also broken. It s God who changes us. Hence we show unconditional love to those who are poor and in so doing show the love of Christ and lead people to the one who can change them and in turn change their lives and circumstances. Getting closer to Jesus personally will result in us becoming more like him towards others. Mother Teresa quote: There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. Billy Graham quote: It s the Holy Spirit s job to convict, God s job to judge, and my job to love...
3. Try and put yourself in the shoes of someone who is poor and marginalised in society. What do you think that someone who is poor struggles with the most? Mother Teresa said this: Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. 4. In what ways practical ways can you engage with those in our community who are disadvantaged? If you re involved in Foodbank, Street Pastors, Matthew 25 etc chare some of your stories? Note: Natalie came up with the following suggestions: o Cultivating a heart of generosity o Looking for opportunities to do good o Listen to people s stories o Think about your own attitude to money do you need to spend 100 on trainers? Only buy 1 if you can buy 2 and give one away! o Setting aside money each month even if it s just 5 o Get involved with local decision-makers helping the poor isn t just about crisis support; it s also influencing those who make decisions affecting the poor He is with us, we can get solutions no one else has. o Mother Theresa: Help one person at a time and start with the person nearest you. The question isn t am I helping enough people? but am I becoming more like Jesus?!
POVERTY Who deserves support? In your view in what order, from 1 to 10, would you put the following with most deserving being first and least deserving last? SITUATION ORDER OF DESERVING SUPPORT A widowed mother of three. A homeless person asking for change on the streets. A homeless person asking for change on the streets while sipping from a can of lager and feeding his dog. An asylum seeker fleeing persecution. An illegal immigrant who has come here to provide a better life for his family. A woman who was made redundant after 10 years in her job and has now applied for 200 jobs with no success. An unemployed person who has nine children and another one on the way. An ex soldier who lost his legs in an explosion and suffers PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and can t get a job. A woman who suffers from mental health and wanders the streets making obscene comments and never washes. A man who is regularly in A&E suffering from alcohol abuse following the break- up of his marriage.