1. Reaping God’s Justice Lesson 4 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing,
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Reaping God’s Justice
Lesson 4

2. 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.

3. 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?
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Photo: © bodnarchuk / iStock / Thinkstock®

4. 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®

5. 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.
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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Lesson Outline
Introduction A. Noblesse Oblige? B. Lesson Background

8. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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

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

10. 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.
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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).
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Photos: © Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / © saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock® 10

11. 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?
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Breadcrumbs: saquizeta / iStock / Thinkstock
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12. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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Lesson Outline
II. Justice in Death (Luke 16:22-26) A. Reward and Punishment (vv. 22, 23) B. Request and Reply (vv )

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.
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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?
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14. 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?
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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?
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

16. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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

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

18. Rich Man / Poor Man How might one respond to this statement?
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Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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?
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19. 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?
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20. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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

21. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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

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

23. Different Kinds of “Poor”
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part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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Photo: © Monkey Business / Thinkstock® 23

24. Different Kinds of “Poor”
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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Different Kinds of “Poor”
Emotionally poor:
“The feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” —Teresa of Calcutta
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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”
Spiritually poor:
“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” —Luke 19:10, KJV
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26. Different Kinds of “Poor”
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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

27. Thought to Remember To meet a needy person, look in the mirror.
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Thought to Remember
To meet a needy person, look in the mirror.

28. Parable of the unforgiving servant
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Colorado 80918
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Next Week’s Lesson
Parable of the unforgiving servant