5. Justice

Scenarios

1. Geraldine is telling you about her latest letter to her MP and his response - which she describes as "woefully inadequate". She is often angry about the inequalities in our world, and likes to vent her frustration to you.

2. Your colleague Hamza doesn't have a happy life - things always seem to go wrong for him and has been badly treated in the past. He tells you that he has been blamed for something at work that wasn't his fault, and now he's worried that he might be sacked.

What question might you ask to take the conversation further?

Read Matthew 12:9-21

Why is Jesus' definition of justice different from the Pharisees?

How does Jesus fulfil this prophecy of Isaiah?

Why is Jesus bringing justice both an encouragement and a challenge?

(See online commentary for more help)

Read 1 Peter 2:18-25

How can Christians cope with the injustice we experience in this world?

- In what ways is Jesus an example to us?

- In what way is his death more than just an example? Why should Christians be able to forgive in a way that others can't?

(See online commentary for more help)

Sharing your story

What story could you share about trusting God's justice?
- Is there an injustice in the world that you feel particularly passionate about?
- Is there a wrong that Jesus has enabled you to forgive?
- Is there a situation where you have had to acknowledge that you need forgiveness?

Praying for opportunities

Who would you like to be able to talk to about trusting God's justice?

Extra Resources

How can a loving God judge? - Glen Scrivener

Next session: 6. Trust
Back to introduction

Planning your Visit

Welcome from the Vicar

Let me welcome you to St John’s! I am so delighted you have found our web site. We are a Church family in Wimborne for anyone living, working or studying around this area. Whoever you are, whatever your age, whether you’re an experienced Christian or not, we would love you to join us.

From an intrigued onlooker to the committed follower we are keen that everyone should grow in relationship with God through knowing Jesus. To help us do that our emphasis is on hearing God speak to us by his Holy Spirit through his word, the Bible. Each of us knows that we only grow in a relationship with someone and get to know them when we spend time listening to them and responding and reacting to what they say. So the focus of St John’s is on listening to God’s word, talking to him in prayer and taking up all that he says.

The Church family here at St John’s longs to help anyone who wants to investigate the life of Jesus. On this site you will find people, meetings, talks and events shaped to help you take another step forward in finding out more about God and his love for us in Jesus, and to help you get linked into the church family life.

I do hope I will have the opportunity to meet you personally in the very near future and that you will quickly feel at home at St John’s.

Revd. Peter Breckwoldt