Taught the weekend of Nov 15th - 16th

November 15 & 16 - Hall of Justice

• Transition statement: We all want justice for ourselves, but sometimes we fail to fight for justice for others because we just don’t see it. So through Micah’s prophet’s eyes, we find the question justice or just us? Are we taking the time to reach out to others like Jesus?

• Background summary: Isaiah and Micah were contemporaries. While Isaiah focused more on sins of sexual morality and worshiping other gods, Micah’s message concentrated on the plight of the poor and destitute and on social justice.

• Teaching point: Micah saw the sin that others often overlooked. As he stared into the eyes of the poor and destitute, Micah saw just how corrupt power can be. So Micah spent his time standing up for them.

• Teaching point: For Micah, true religion was not about ritual or a great worship service. Rather, it was about putting Others First by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

• Transition statement: The Superfriends’ headquarters was called the Hall of Justice (this is in reference to the old comic known as the “Justice League” where all those with super powers came together to help mankind). In this place, they combined their super powers in order to plot goodness for the world with each other. Maybe they were on to something…

• Teaching point: Micah calls us to pick up the fight of justice for those who cannot fight for it themselves. This includes people who have less than us, people who are a different race than us, and people who are weaker than us.

• Teaching point: We can see through prophets’ eyes and use our special powers to make things different. Our churches can become Halls of Justice where we work together for the good of the world.

• Teaching point: The struggles of justice are the struggles of our world. Thankfully, Christians around the world are getting involved. Today, you too can join the movement, both in your school and around the world.

Core Scripture: Micah 6:8

Memory Verse:
Matthew 5:7 (NIV) "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways do people choose "just us" over justice?
2. What would it look like for us, as Christians, to choose justice in our lives? How will this lead us to put Others First?
3. How does loving mercy help us choose justice? How can we do this?
4. How does walking humbly with God help us choose justice? How can we do this?
5. What things can we do to help bring justice to people who have less than us? How can we bring justice to people who are a different race than us? How can we bring justice to people who are weaker than us?

Bottom Line:

• Micah saw the sin that others often overlooked. As he stared into the eyes of the poor and destitute, Micah saw just how corrupt power can be. So Micah spent his time standing up for them.
• For Micah, true religion was not about ritual or a great worship service. Rather, it was about putting Others First by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
• Micah calls us to pick up the fight of justice for those who cannot fight for it themselves. This includes people who have less than us, people who are a different race than us, and people who are weaker than us.
• The struggles of justice are the struggles of our world. Thankfully, Christians around the world are getting involved. Today, you too can join the movement, both in your school and around the world.