Leader Resources
EXERCISES
- Review the memory verse of the week and talk about how it relates to the Truth section.
- Review the Pentateuch, Historical books, Poetic books, Major and Minor Prophets of the Old Testament.
- Include time for one or two JG members to recite all 66 books of the Bible.
SUGGESTED DISCUSSION
- Truth – You can discuss any of the in Bible questions you would like to address. Here are some tips that may help:
- Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13 – The point of this question is to get your JG thinking creatively about what actions the sixth commandment requires in defense of life. The group of verses in the next question gives the Bible’s explicit teaching on this.
- Deuteronomy 10:17-19, 24:17-22; Psalm 82:1-4; Proverbs 14:21, 31:8-9; Isaiah 1:16-17; Jeremiah 22:1-3; James 1:27 – These passages dictate that God’s people defend and preserve the poor, sick, orphans, widows and aliens (foreigners).These groups of people all survive at the margins of society. They are often at-risk in terms of survival or mistreatment. God’s word specifically commands His people to look after their needs and to ensure that they are treated mercifully and are treated justly in society.
- Psalm 139:13-16 – This section of Psalm 139 indicates that God knows each person intimately while still in the womb, and has a plan for each life from conception to the grave. This supports the understanding of “personhood” beginning at conception and not at some arbitrary time after birth.
- Luke 4:14-21 – The announcement Jesus made here should make us realize that no life is unimportant to God. Jesus’ ministry is the ultimate answers to the question, “How valuable is a life?” It shows that human life has absolute value to God regardless of contribution to society or quality of life. He showed us that every life is worth defending, nurturing and saving. This includes all the at-risk groups mentioned in the Bible plus any marginalized people or groups in any society. The goal of this question is to challenge your JG to think about how Jesus’ promise of mercy and deliverance applies to the modern issue of the sanctity of life. You also want to challenge your JG to consider their role in applying that message to this issue. Try to encourage your JG to think missionally about bringing hope and mercy to those who are in need. The equipping section will follow up on this theme.
- Truth – Here are the main points about the sanctity of life that you’ll want to make clear:
- If there is a God, then there is absolute truth. If there is absolute truth, then there are moral absolutes.
- The value of a human life is measured by God, not by people. Quality of life and contribution to society are irrelevant to the question of a person’s value.
- Jesus’ message of mercy and justice applies to the issue of the sanctity of life in that it demonstrates that every person’s life is worth living, nurturing and saving.
- God’s people are to be conduits of the mercy they have received. Therefore, they should look for opportunities to engage missionally with people who are at the margins of society.
- Equipping – Allow your JG to share how they envision becoming missionally engaged with people who are in need or at the margins of society. Be prepared to guide them away from performance motivation. The point here is not to guilt your JG into activity, but to help them see their opportunity to demonstrate the way God values all people. Also, as your JG shares what they could do to engage missionally with those in need, you will want to challenge them with these two questions:
- Is that something you will actually begin to do?
- How will that help to make Christ known?
- Accountability – Allow time for smaller groups of 2 or 3 to ask accountability questions and pray for one another.
- Mission – Continue the discussion of helping people investigate Christianity using the Life Issues booklets as a tool for making the gospel known in word. Discuss the question, “Is Jesus Christ the Only Way to God?” from the third Life Issues booklet.
