Week 2: It’s for the Children

Apr 5

Written By Westside Family Church

Printable Discussion Guide & Facilitator Guide

WATCH
Cold open: Bianca and Children

Questions to ask immediately after watching:

What was the strongest emotion you felt while watching?
What moment had the greatest impact on you?
Did this connect to anything you’ve experienced or witnessed?
Did you have any epiphany, even a small one?

OPEN IN PRAYER

REFLECT

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…
It is a joy for the just to do justice
Proverbs 21:3, 15a (NKJV)

Question: What jumped out?

Question: What does this verse say about what God values?

DISCUSS

Question: What does “Justice” mean to you? How do you hear it used?

Discuss this definition: “Justice is not making sure people get what they DESERVE, justice is making sure everyone has what they NEED.”

Consider:

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
-Matthew 25:34-36

Question: Where do you see Jesus’ heart for justice in this passage?

Question: The writers of READ talk about “Preventative Justice.” What do you think that means?

Question: Like “preventative medicine,” how might “preventative justice” be even more impactful?

Consider:

· 80% of low income 4th graders never reach reading proficiency. -Annie E. Casey Foundation

· Students who don’t meet reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. -Annie E. Casey Foundation

· High school graduation can be reasonably predicted by knowing someone’s reading skill at the end of 3rd grade. -Council on Children and Families

Question: What is the relationship between childhood illiteracy today and Jesus’ justice categories in Matthew 25: Hungry/thirsty (welfare), Stranger (immigrants), Naked (exploitation), Sickness (addiction) and Prison?

APPLY

(Jesus) said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
-Luke 9:48

Question: Where do you hear the message of the Matthew 25 passage in this verse?

Question: How could the People of God bring preventative justice and “receiving a child” together?

CLOSE in prayer

Westside Family Church