Sunday School Lesson January 16, 2022
Subject: Seeking Justice in an Unjust World
The Point: Join God in pursuing justice in the face of indifference.
The Passages: Obadiah 1-4,10-17
Study The Bible: Obadiah 1-4
1). Outline
- The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Lord God has said about Edom: We have heard a message from the Lord; an envoy has sent among the nations: “Rise up, and let’s go to war against her.”
- Look, I will make you insignificant among the nations; you will be deeply despised.
- Your arrogant heart has deceived you, you who live in clefts of the rock in your home on the heights, who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?”
- Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down. This is the Lord’s declaration.
Lasting truths from: Obadiah 1-4
* The Scripture teach that humility and honor are found in those who live and cherish Yahweh.
* As Christians we are called to reflect the heart of God toward all who are created in His image.
* Do not let the circumstances of those surrounding you drive you to the point of despair.
2). Outline
Obadiah 10-14
- You will be covered with shame and destroyed forever because of violence done to your brother Jacob.
- On the day you stood aloof, of the day strangers captured his wealth, while foreigners entered his city gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.
- Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his calamity; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction; do not boastfully mock in the day of disaster.
- Do not enter my people’s city gate in the day of their disaster, and do not appropriate their possessions in the day of their disaster.
- Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives, and do not hand over their survivors in the day of distress.
Lasting truth from: Obadiah 10-14
* In Christ, there is not room for gloating over injustices done to others.
* We are to treat our neighbor as ourselves regardless of their relationship in Christ.
3). Outline
Obadiah 15-17
- For the day of the Lord is near, against all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head.
- As you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and gulp down and be as though they had never been.
- But there will be a deliverance on Mount Zion, and it will be holy; the house of Jacob will dispossess those who dispossessed them.
Lasting truth from: Obadiah 15-17
* The sin of indifference leads to violence and oppression.
* We are to have compassion to those who are helpless and cannot defend themselves.
* True religion makes a difference in behavior and ethics in our society.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- How can we use this session to share our attitudes and actions so that we see injustice as God sees it?
- Why is it so easy to be indifferent to injustices around us?
- What does the deliverance and transformational power of the gospel look like in a society full of injustice?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”