Caring for Widows and OrphansExodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 27:19; Acts 6:1-3; 1 Timothy

5:3-14; James 1:27

Cora Ham

The Davis Family

1. What caused us to consider adoption?2. What role did the biblical mandate to

“look after orphans” play in your decision?

3. How did you know that this was God’s plan for you?

4. What were some of your fears?5. What were some of your child’s fears?6. How has the adoption blessed you?

Discussion Guide:

1. How should widows and orphans be treated? (Exodus 22:22-24)

Others should not take advantage of widowsand orphans.

Discussion Guide:

2. How do people take advantage of widows and orphans today? Why does God want us to care for widows and orphans?

Discussion Guide:

3. What did God instruct the people of Israel to do every three years? (Deuteronomy 14:28)

God instructed the Israelites to bring a tithe ofthe year’s produce and store it in their towns.

Discussion Guide:4. What was the purpose of this store of

produce? (Deuteronomy 14:29)

The store of produce was to be used to benefit:a. The Levites who have no inheritance of

their ownb. Aliens, widows and orphans who live in

the towns

Discussion Guide:

5. What are some practical ways that our class can provide for aliens, widows and orphans?

Discussion Guide:

6. What happens to a person who withholds justice from strangers, widows and orphans? (Deuteronomy 27:19)

This verse says that they are cursed.

Discussion Guide:

7. What does it mean to be “cursed?” Is the curse on a person’s life always evident in this world?

Discussion Guide:

8. What was the complaint of the Grecian Jews? (Acts 6:1)

The Grecian Jews complained that the HebraicJews overlooked their widows and orphans in

the daily distribution of food.

Discussion Guide:

9. How did the Twelve respond to the complaint? (Acts 6:2-3)

The solution of the Twelve was to elect sevenmen full of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee

the distribution of food.

Discussion Guide:

10. Why do you think that it was important for these men to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom?” How important are these qualities in our lives?

Discussion Guide:

11. To whom should proper recognition be given? (1 Timothy 5:3)

Proper recognition should be given to widowswho are really in need.

Discussion Guide:12. What is the responsibility of the

children and grandchildren of a widow? What should they do?

Children and grandchildren of a widow shouldput their religion into practice by caring for

their parents and grandparents.

Discussion Guide:

13. What does our class do to care for widows and their families? What should we do?

Discussion Guide:

14. What does Paul say about someone who does not provide for his family? (1 Timothy 5:8)

Paul says that a person who does not work andprovide for his family has denied the faith and

is worse than an unbeliever.

Discussion Guide:

15. How does James describe “pure religion?” (James 1:27)

James describes pure religion as caring fororphans and widows and keeping oneself

pure.

Tyler and Allison Fuqua