Biblical Foundations:

God’s Heart for the poor, the oppressed

and us

Table Conversation

• Think of a poor person you’ve met.

• Envision the person in his/her context. What do you see?

• What made you immediately associate this person with the word “poor”?

• Turn to another person at your table and describe the person you were thinking about.

• After each of you have shared, list the descriptive words or aspects of poverty that this story brought to mind.

In the Beginning…

•27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

•Genesis 1:27-28 

•Imageo Dei – created for relationship

•With God

•With Self

•With Others

•With Creation

What is Poverty?

•Relationships damaged by sin

•Spiritual broken relationship with God

•Social broken relationships with others and our community

•Environmental broken relationship with our environment and our relationship with one’s self

“Poverty is a result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not

for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable.”

Poverty is a consequence of sin.

“giving humans their due as people in the

image of God.”

Tim Keller’s Definition of Justice

Table Discussion

1. How might you live a life that more fully reflects a Christ-centered, kingdom perspective? What’s one specific thing you will try to do as a result of these Scripture passages?

2. How might Grace Chapel more fully reflect a Christ-centered, kingdom theology in its ministries? Be specific.

3. When poor people look at our church, in what ways do they see the embodiment of Jesus Christ and the comprehensive healing of his kingdom? What else could our church be doing?

Types of Wealth

1. Financial: Having the money to purchase goods and services

2. Emotional: Being able to choose and control emotional responses, particularly to negative situations, without engaging in self-destructive behavior. This is an internal resource and shows itself through stamina, perseverance, and choices.

3. Mental: Having the mental abilities and acquired skills (reading, writing, computing) to deal with daily life.

4. Spiritual: Believing in divine purpose and guidance.

5. Physical: Having physical health and mobility.

6. Support Systems: Having friends, family, and backup resources available to access in times of need. These are external resources.

7. Relationships/Role Models: Having frequent access to adult(s) who are appropriate, who are nurturing, and who do not engage in self-destructive behavior.

8. Knowledge of Hidden Rules: Knowing the unspoken cues and habits of a group.