THEME: JUSTICE
ENACTED
TEXT: 2 KINGS 8:1-6
MEMORY VERSE: “Then [the king] assigned an official to her case
and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the
income from her land from the day she left the country until now.” — 2
Kings 8:6 (NIV)
LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each
student will be able to:
1. Tell how God’s providence led to the Shunammite’s
having her land restored after her return from a lengthy absence.
2. Suggest ways God’s providence may be at work today
in the restoration of assets to those who have been displaced.
3. Identify some situations in which he or she may be
God’s instrument for justice for someone in need.
INTRODUCTION
The term displaced came into prominence
during World War II. It described people who were uprooted from their homes as
a result of the war. Displaced has since come to be used for people who
are forced to vacate their homes because of disasters. One often heard it used
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Of course, people have been displaced from the very
beginning of humanity’s existence. Adam and Eve were displaced from the Garden
of Eden as a consequence of their sin against God, not because of circumstances
beyond their control. By contrast, Abraham was displaced from his homeland in
obedience to God’s command to go to a destination unknown at the time of the
call.
Today’s text tells of a woman who was displaced as
a result of a famine. It also records how God provided for this woman—through
his prophet and through a king of Israel—so she could survive and recover from
the devastation of the famine.
[Please
note that you are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes.
The talk points (in red prints) are to help your
discussions.]
A. THE NEED TO RELOCATE –
2 Kings 8:1-2
1. What was a situation in which a “big
event” that affected many people tested your trust in God? How did you grow
spiritually as a result? (Natural disaster; Economic
hardship; Military conflict.)
2. Whose advice do you trust so much
that you do not question it, even if it leads to hardship initially? What
caused you to develop that level of trust? (In
spiritual matters; In family matters; In financial matters.)
B. DIVINE BLESSINGS OF RESTORATION –
2 Kings 3: 3-6
1. How
can we create an eagerness in others to hear about what God or godly people are
doing? (Through obvious results; Through being alert
for receptiveness (proper timing); Through intercessory prayer.)
2. When
was a time you obtained help or justice in an unexpected way? How might God
have had a hand in it? (In a personal matter; In the
workplace; In a legal matter; Involving a church.)
3.
Is
it a mistake to see divine providence in all outcomes? Why, or why not? (What God “causes” vs. what God “permits”; The extreme view
that “God causes everything”; The extreme view that God lets the world function
solely through the laws of nature.)
CONCLUSION
We have noted in this study how God providentially
cared for the Shunammite woman. It was no accident that she arrived to see the
king at the very moment Gehazi was describing how Elisha had miraculously
helped her. Many can testify how God used a confluence of events to bless them
in a way that caught them completely by surprise.
In thinking about meeting the needs around us
today, the importance of placing one’s ultimate faith in God’s care must not be
overlooked. David once said, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never
seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
Many in our churches have gone through or are now going through difficult
economic circumstances. Certainly we should never preach “have faith in God” as
a way to avoid our responsibility to help others (James 2:14-17). But the Bible
often highlights our heavenly Father’s care for his children of faith and his
promise not to abandon them. Difficult circumstances should not be made light
of, but they can be prime opportunities for one’s faith to prevail under
pressure and, in turn, to provide a testimony to others of the Lord’s
faithfulness.
In truth, we live in a society where many people
feel displaced—alone, unwanted, and unloved. In a word, they are forgotten,
sadly in some instances by the church. Often a response to these situations
does not require a significant amount (or any amount) of money—just some time.
In nursing homes, for example, are many residents who seldom if ever hear from
a family member or friend. For these individuals, one day runs into another
with little variety. What a blessing it is to such a person when a caring
Christian develops a friendship and visits on a regular basis! Such a ministry
can include special days such as the person’s birthday. Taking the person out
for an occasional meal (if he or she is able) or inviting the person to one’s
home (again, if able) can provide a pleasant break from the daily routine. And
older folks usually enjoy being around children; time spent with them can be
delightful as well.
This is just one example of forgotten people who
may be in your neighbourhood. Can you think of others? Make a list. Start a
ministry to them in your church, or involve your family in such a ministry.
Such service to forgotten people will not be forgotten—by them or by you.
PRAYER
Father, how grateful we are for your care for us
and for the way you use people and circumstances around us to provide in times
of need. As we have freely received from you, may we be generous and gracious
to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Make every effort to see that the “displaced” do
not become the “misplaced.”
NEXT WEEK: NEXT WEEK: JULY
29, 2012: JEHOSHAPHAT MAKES JUDICIAL REFORMS –
2 Chronicles 18:28–19:11
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