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Comments: Jesus always kept a special place in His
ministry for the poor, the oppressed, the down trodden. He promised His followers that if they would do likewise, they would be blessed now and in the afterlife.In one discourse (Matthew 25, beg. v. 31), Jesus
describes a judgment event in which people are judged based on the way they treated the hungry, the naked, prisoners, and the homeless. He actually ascribes our response to people as if we were responding to Him. One
of the most remarkable aspects of this entirely remarkable passage is the notion of "direction." Jesus says "I came to you," as He the various conditions of hunger, nakedness, and homelessness. And He makes special note
that "you came to Me" when I was in prison." He seems, on one hand, to anticipate that He will, literally, send us people who need our assistance. And on the other hand, he seems to expect that we will actively go to
others who also need our help. Before beginning this assignment, please review the following:
Mother Teresa's Statement - National Day of Prayer, 1994
Christian Standard on Compasion Assignment
For the first assignment, take some time to become very
familiar with God's emphasis on ministering to "the least of these" in both the Old and New Testament. Using the Bible study tools on your course Resource page, your Quesia materials, and your bibles, please respond to
the following: 1.) What does God say about ministry to "the least of these"?
In the Old Testament (ck: Exod. 23:4-5, Deut. 22:1-4)
In Jesus' ministry
In the apostolic writings
2.) What "least of these" has God placed in your life or circle of influence? 3.) Please comment on this notion of "direction" as you interpret it. Do you believe God will bring people to you who need
your assistance? Do you believe He will show you people or places to go? Recall your own experiences and those of people you know. Your report should be relatively short (3-5 pages) and should be formatted as
well-developed answers to the questions presented above. Case Study
Please develop a short (1-2 page) reply to the following case study. Jada slows as she notices the woman and two children standing on the
sidewalk. Apparently homeless, their hopeless stares prevent Jada from merely driving by. Her heart cries out and she instantly knows that Jesus would have her help this woman and her children.
Jada quickly runs through a range of options:
She could pull over and give the woman a few dollars; She could stop and offer to pray with/for the woman; She could offer to take the woman and her children to a local homeless shelter;
She could offer to take the woman and her children into her home overnight;
Discuss Jada's options in light of scripture. What are the pros and cons of each option? Which options are most scriptural? Are there other options Jada has not yet considered?
If Jada was your best friend, what would you advise her to do, and why? What would you do, and why? If you looked up and noticed Jesus standing on the street corner, how would that change your response, and why?
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