The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: The Image of God
Week's focus: "Fair Judge"
Scriptures: Luke 18:2-8
Week of: May 29, 2005

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
Overcoming a distorted image of God includes this perspective:

1. According to Jesus, the way God deals with us is in stark CONTRAST to an unjust JUDGE. Luke 18:1-8

2. God is very interested in JUSTICE, particularly for those who seek Him out of their mistreatment, DENIAL of basic rights, or poverty. Luke 18:7-8

3. We cannot base our sense of judgment on SOCIAL norms, our own NOTIONS, or what people SAY of us or others, but on God's GRACE through Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-26

4. The Good News is about accepting right judgment IN ADVANCE , relying on Jesus our ADVOCATE, hearing the Judge set us FREE, and living in light of a gracious PARDON. Isaiah 55:6-7; John 3:16-21

EXPLORE THE SCRIPTURES
Get into the Word daily; what truth and promise does it hold?

Mon
Luke 18:1-5
1. What did Jesus want to show in this story?
2. What did the widow continue to do?
3. Why did the judge finally give justice to her?

Tue
Luke 18:6-8
1. Who will God bring about justice for?
2. When will they get justice?

Wed
Romans 3:21-24
1. What righteousness has been made known?
2. How are sinners justified?

Thur
Romans 3:25-26
1. What did God demonstrate in Jesus?
2. What does faith in Jesus bring about?

Fri
John 3:16-21
1. Why did God send his Son into the world?
2. How do we live free from condemnation?

Sat
Isaiah 55:6-7
1. What are we to "seek" and "forsake?"
2. What will God do in response?

GUIDED JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
For personal devotions & journaling or small group discussion

1. Have you ever stood before a judge? What was it like? What did you feel? How did it turn out? Share you experience with others in your small group or make a journal entry about it.

2. Can you understand why people resist the image of God as a judge? Where do you think their negative images of God as a harsh judge come from? Do you think their bad feelings, resistances, or barriers are rational or mistaken? Discuss or journal your responses.

3. Based on the Bible references given on the other side, how do you think God sees us? What kind of living and response does God anticipate from us?

4. How can you live and speak in a way that helps remove the image of God as judgmental, harsh, or unjust? What changes can you make? What changes do you need to rely on God to make in you?

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Selected quotes on the image of God

BE IMPORTUNATE. "Be importunate, Jesus says--not, one assumes, because you have to beat a path to God's door before he will open it, but because until you beat a path maybe there's no way of getting to your door." -- Frederick Buechner

LOOK TO THE WOUNDS OF JESUS. "Jesus Christ is the surest window into the heart of God. When Martin Luther was asked difficult questions…he replied by encouraging his troubled friends to 'look to the wounds of Jesus.' That same advice had been given to him as a young man, when, plagued by guilt, he doubted whether he could ever be accepted by a holy God. By focusing on Christ, he discovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In Jesus Christ the Creator has become our Redeemer, the Judge has received our judgment. Through his death and resurrection, the way to eternal life has been forever opened to all who turn from selfishness and sin and in simple trust commit themselves to Christ for all time and eternity." -- Timothy George

CHOOSE NOW. "Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it." -- C.S. Lewis

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

Return to the top
Return to main page