BSF adult Lesson 21

Lesson 21 Questions

First Day: Read Lesson 20 Notes.

The notes and lecture fortify the truth of the passage for understanding and application to daily life.

1. What points from the lecture were meaningful to you concerning God, His character, and
His judgment?

2. What help did you receive from the notes regarding the truth of God’s justice and judgment?

Second Day

Throughout Revelation, God’s justice and mercy are on full display, amplifying truth revealed throughout Scripture. These seemingly contradictory attributes of God operate in perfect harmony. God can perfectly execute His justice against sin and extend mercy to sinners who receive salvation in Christ.

3. a. In your own words, define the following:

Justice

Justice is the Controlled, even-handed application of consequences to an act or crime that deserves punishment.

Mercy

The free pardoning of a wrong with limited or no consequences.

b.What are some positive and negative aspects of expressions of justice and mercy in the
world today?
Negative consequence of justice: People who have taken justice into their own hands. A man whose property is deliberately and regularly damaged with a snowplow puts in spikes to catch the tire of the snowplow. Public property is destroyed, property meant for the betterment of other people. Vengeance masquerading as justice.

Positive consequence: Restoration/ reconciliation that allows for growth. People observing what justice is supposed to be.

Negative consequence of mercy: Helping criminals go free at the expense of victims.

Positive consequence: Offering another chance to people who need help, and seeing them turn from their old ways.

c.Read Exodus 34:6-7; John 3:16-18; and 2 Peter 3:9. Describe how God exercises justice
and mercy.

God forgives iniquity and transgression and sin, but doesn’t clear the guilty of sin. The sin and guilt are passed down t9 future generations. God is patient, giving us many opportunities to repent, and Jesus takes the punishment for our sins, if we believe in Him.

4.a. What are some ways you have received justice in your life?

I have no idea.

b. In what circumstances have you received mercy, and what were the lasting results?

I do not know.

Third Day: Read Romans 1:18-32; 3:10-20.

All of humanity needs God’s mercy.

5. From today’s passages, describe the natural traits of humankind. (See also Jeremiah 17:9.)
How have you seen these traits in your life?

Rom. 1:28-32

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

My pretending to be foolish and incapable to get out of work. That’s deceit.

6. Based on humanity’s natural traits, what do all people deserve and why? (See also Psalm 51:4.)

Death.

7. Why do people resist or reject the concept of humanity’s sinfulness and God’s just judgment
upon sin?

We don’t want to reject the thinking we are sinful, we are always going to be wrong/sinful, and we don’t need nobody’s forgiveness, no how. We don’t believe we are unjust.

Fourth Day: Read Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7.

God’s justice and mercy are displayed in the Old Testament.

8. a. How did God express His justice and His mercy toward the rebellious Israelites?

God wanted to destroy the Israelites, but held back. He did bring a plague on the people, and carried the sin down through the generations of these people.

b. Why did God relent from destroying the people, and how does Moses’s action remind you of Jesus Christ?

c. Did the people get what they deserved? Why?

9. What does God’s response say about His judgment and mercy?

Fifth Day: Read Romans 5:6-11; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-10.
God’s justice and mercy are displayed in the New Testament.
10. a. Despite our innate sin and ongoing transgressions, what has been God’s loving response to and
provision for all people? How have you responded?

b. How did God perfectly express His justice and mercy at the cross of Jesus Christ? (See also
1 Peter 2:22-25.)

11. Read Luke 18:9-14; Romans 12:1-2; and 1 John 1:5-10. What is the right response to God’s mercy,
and to whom will you show mercy this week?

Sixth Day: Review this week’s Bible passages.
God’s justice and mercy perfectly express His abiding love for a world that desperately needs Him.
12. What truth about God, His justice, or His mercy deepens your understanding of His great love for you and the world? How will you pray as a result?

No passage discovery (homiletics, word study, etc.) for Group and Administrative Leaders.