5: The Stranger in Your Gates – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: Israel was by their kind treatment of the marginalized to be a powerful witness to their God and of their faith.
October 30, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 10:1-11..

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What here shows that God forgave their sins and reaffirmed His covenant promise?
Personal Application: As you look at you response to the Bible standards and the Spirit of Prophecy writings on Christian living and behavior, do you consider your self coicrcumcised in the heart oir stiff necked? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What is the meaning of the images God uses here in circumcision, the heart, and the stiff-necked?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 146:5-10..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What is God saying here and what does it mean to us as Christians today?
Personal Application: Are we guilty of oppressing people, treating others badly, not giving or fighting for justice? Can we be guilty by not being involved? Share your thoughts
Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t see how God is protecting the weak, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick or freeing the oppressed. It looks like all these things are just getting worse all over the world.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 1:16; 16:19; 24:17..

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
What does it mean not to pervert justice or judgment for the stranger, fatherless, widow, or poor?
Personal Application: Have you ever experienced what you perceived as injustice because of who you are? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I think all Christians should be actively involved in promoting and insuring human rights, not only here, but in every country. The rights of women, gays, illegal immigrants, prisoners, all the oppressed should be supported.“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 24:10-15.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What does this tell us about borrowing and lending and helping the poor?
Personal Application: Are people today more concerned with money and things rather than with people? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!