Reaping God’s Justice Lesson 4 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Reaping God’s Justice Lesson 4

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Horizontal Visual If you are also able to show the poster for lesson 1, students will get both the chronological and geographical background of today’s Scripture passage.

Poverty Abounds Can you identify the person who said this: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Poverty Abounds Can you identify the person who said this: “It’s not a coincidence that in the Scripture, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions.” Was it . . . Franklin Graham? Bob Dylan? Bono? 503252032 Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock®

Poverty Abounds Can you identify the person who said this: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Poverty Abounds Can you identify the person who said this: “It’s not a coincidence that in the Scripture, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions.” Was it . . . Franklin Graham Bob Dylan Bono Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Poverty Abounds Why do you think God’s Word talks so much about the poor? We do know that God has compassion for the poor, and He wants His people to show compassion also. Was there a time in your life when you considered yourself to be poor? If so, what was the hardest aspect of poverty for you? Have students pair off and discuss their personal experiences with being poor. Ask for a volunteer to share his or her answer with the class. Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Poverty Abounds In today’s lesson Jesus tells about a poor person who experienced a complete reversal of his situation. But it’s much more than a feel-good story. Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock®

Lesson Outline Introduction A. Noblesse Oblige? B. Lesson Background Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. Noblesse Oblige? B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How can you protect yourself from the defective aspects of noblesse oblige thinking? Talking Points for Your Discussion To avoid having a condescending attitude To avoid failure to sense your own needs Other 8

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Inequity in Life (Luke 16:19-21) A. Living in Luxury (v. 19) B. Suffering in Squalor (vv. 20, 21)

Rich Man / Poor Man Read aloud the story in Luke 16:19-31. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man Read aloud the story in Luke 16:19-31. Have three volunteers read the parts of the rich man, Abraham, and the narrator (who will read everything not spoken by the other two). 86521668 Photo: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / Thinkstock® 539024857 Photo: © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 10

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man Earlier in Luke 16, Jesus spoke forcefully against serving money. But the Pharisees loved money, so they mocked Jesus. How did this story help Jesus make His point? Barbecue: Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / Thinkstock 86521668 Breadcrumbs: saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock 539024857 Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Justice in Death (Luke 16:22-26) A. Reward and Punishment (vv. 22, 23) B. Request and Reply (vv. 24-26)

Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? “I’ve worked hard to earn my wealth, and I intend to use it to enjoy life.” What might the rich man say? Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 13

Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? “My life has been hard ever since I became a Christian, and it feels like God doesn’t care about me.” What might Lazarus say? Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 14

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? In what ways should remembering our mortality affect how we live without becoming fatalistic? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding use of time Regarding use of money Regarding relationships we choose to have and choose not to have Other 15

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What more can our church do to help its members maintain a proper awareness of the reality of God’s retributive justice? Talking Points for Your Discussion In proactively addressing the issue before false ideas arise In reactively addressing the issue after false ideas are already causing trouble 16

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline III. Warning in Writing (Luke 16:27-31) A. Anguished Plea (vv. 27, 28) B. Adequate Proof (vv. 29-31)

Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? “I just don’t believe in life after death; once you’re gone, it’s lights out.” What might Abraham say? Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 18

Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement? “I believe that we all go to Heaven when we die; I just don’t think a loving God would condemn people to Hell.” What might Jesus say? Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 19

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How can you safeguard yourself against things that interfere with your hearing God’s Word? Talking Points for Your Discussion During your initial preparations for the day As you endure ungodly talk In how you manage your time Other 20

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? If an unbeliever dismisses “before it’s too late” as a scare tactic, how would you respond? Talking Points for Your Discussion Responses that agree, at least partially, with the unbeliever Responses that disagree with the unbeliever 21

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Who Were “the Needy” Then? B. Who Are “the Needy” Now? C. Prayer D. Thought to Remember

Different Kinds of “Poor” Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Different Kinds of “Poor” There is more than one kind of “poor” person. Physically poor: “He that honoureth [God] hath mercy on the poor.” —Proverbs 14:31b, KJV 90958223 Photo: © Monkey Business / Thinkstock® Photo: © Monkey Business / Thinkstock® 23

Different Kinds of “Poor” Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Different Kinds of “Poor” Emotionally poor: “The feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” —Teresa of Calcutta Photo: © Monkey Business / Thinkstock® 24

Different Kinds of “Poor” Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Different Kinds of “Poor” Spiritually poor: “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” —Luke 19:10, KJV Photo: © Monkey Business / Thinkstock® 25

Different Kinds of “Poor” Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Different Kinds of “Poor” Physically poor / Homeless Emotionally poor / Unwanted Spiritually poor / Lost What type of poverty are you most comfortable addressing? What’s one way you can combat that type of poverty this week? 26

Thought to Remember To meet a needy person, look in the mirror. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember To meet a needy person, look in the mirror.

Parable of the unforgiving servant Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson Parable of the unforgiving servant