8. Faith Formation: God’s Intense Devotion

        Have you ever felt blameful toward those in society who are in need or who otherwise are victims of injustice? But God is a God of lovingkindness, righteousness, and justice—and those have societal implications, The Bible is filled with references to those in need, and to the way that God takes the side of those in need. Worship has meaning only when it is linked with justice (Isa. 2:3-4, Mic. 4:1-8). The Torah has many commandments concerning collateral-free loans, debt-cancelations, care for resident aliens, and so on (e.g., Ex. 25:35-37; Deut. 15:1-18 and 24:10-22). Ancient rabbis believed that these commandments are equality to all the other commandments together.(6) Again, the motive of these commandments is that the Lord rescued the people from Egyptian slavery, and so they must always remember the needs of others.
           In times of crisis, it is good for us to consider ways that we open our own hearts to the needs of others. God is “zealous” for justice. What are ways in which we can be faithful?
 
Questions

• What are some ways in which God rescued you from a situation of distress? What was the aftermath?
• John Wesley said that “there is no holiness, but social holiness.” Discuss ways that you and your congregation are “socially holy.” What are some ways you can be in ministry to others in the future?
• How do you respond to Bible stories wherein God is said to act in extreme, destructive ways? How do you reconcile such stories with the teaching that God is love?