Name:

Theology Worksheet for Feb. 7, 2005

A. Please identify the social justice principle which best applies to each scenario:

1. Jessica calls for her classmates to show more respect for Tom, a loud-mouthed
bigot—noting that he too is a child of God, even if his opinions are offensive.

Principle> 

2.  Dan often protests against abortion in front of a clinic, calling for his fellow citizens to
respect and love the unborn.

Principle> 

3.  Nicole prays for the work of the missions, and her family sponsors a Third-World child.

Principle> 

4. Jim devotes two Saturdays a month at a local soup kitchen where he not only prepares food, but also takes time to get to know the people who eat there.

Principle> 

5. Terri, noting that the employees in her factory were underpaid and worked in dangerous conditions, worked to organize a union.

Principle> 

6, Joe works on clean-up projects at local parks and playgrounds so that all the people in his community can enjoy a safe place for relaxation.

Principle> 

7.  Kristin sponsored a recycling campaign at her school and she keeps her car well tuned, both to conserve fuel and to cut down on pollution.

Principle> 

8. Tom works on a voter registration campaign to enable more people to be involved in the political process in his city.

Principle> 

9. Jodi is a member of Amnesty International. She often writes to political leaders
protesting the way they violate the human rights of their subjects.

Principle> 

B. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-30 and answer the following questions as completely as possible.                

1. What does the passage mean?  

2. Relate this passage to the human family Are all people given the same gifts? Where do our gifts and talents come from?

3. Review verses 22-25. Who in our world seem to be the "weaker" members? What would Paul say about them in reality?

4. Given the message of this passage, what should be the response of Christians to the suffering of people in war-torn countries, to the plight of the poor, to the struggle of the persecuted? 

C. Please identify the following actions as being acts of charity or justice by circling or highlighting charity or justice. Be able to justify your answers.

1. Refusing to buy a pair of running shoes produced by a company which pays
its workers unjustly.

Charity or Justice?

2. Writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper voicing opposition to abortion.

Charity or Justice?

3. Working at a soup kitchen.

Charity or Justice?

4. Voting for a bill which increases safety standards in industry.

Charity or Justice?

5.Tutoring inner-city children in math.

Charity or Justice?

6. Shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway after a snowstorm.

Charity or Justice?

7. Contacting authorities about criminal activity.

Charity or Justice?

8. Picketing a place of business which has racist hiring policies.

Charity or Justice?

9. Donating clothes to a battered-women's shelter.

Charity or Justice?

10. Contributing money to a homeless shelter.

Charity or Justice?

D. Scripture Link.  The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) reveals many attributes of God.  Read about these attributes in the passages indicated.  Then, answer each question.

Read Genesis 17:1-9: a God of covenant
1. What does God promise to Abraham?

2. What does he promise to the people?

Read Exodus 3:7-14: a compassionate God
3. What injustice is God responding to?

4. How does God respond to it?

5. What does God reveal about God’s name?

Read Exodus 22:20-26: a lover of justice
6. List 3 unjust practices forbidden by God.

Read Isaiah 1:1-10: a just God
7. Describe the mood of the prophet.

8. Why won’t God hear the prayers of the Israelites?

9. What is the remedy to this hapless situation?

Read Isaiah 61:1-11: a God of justice and peace
10. List 3 things Yahweh’s agent will accomplish.