Lesson 3

1. Consequencesfor Injustice Lesson 3

3. Introduction • Gone with the Fire • Lesson Context

4. Consequences • What might the natural consequence be for each bad decision below? • A 16-year-old misses curfew on a school night. • A young teen refuses to shower regularly. • A 9-year-old keeps leaving toys outside. • A 7-year-old cheats at board games.

5. Consequences • The fact is, actions have consequences. • Let’s see what the ancient prophet Habakkuk learned from God in that regard.

6. First WoeHabakkuk 2:6-8 • Unbridled Greed (v. 6) • Unexpected Punishment (vv. 7, 8)

7. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? They have it all and still want more, So they build a kingdom by blood & war. But the world is not conquered by those who sin. At the end of it all, only God wins!

8. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? They have it all and still want more, So they build a kingdom by blood & war. But the world is not conquered by those who sin. At the end of it all, only God wins! C. Habakkuk 2:12-14

9. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? A nation that lies, cheats, and steals May enjoy luxury and sumptuous meals. But the tables will turn one day, And they will be the ones who pay!

10. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? A nation that lies, cheats, and steals May enjoy luxury and sumptuous meals. But the tables will turn one day, And they will be the ones who pay! A. Habakkuk 2:6-8

11. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? They build their castles in the sky And look down on the one who passes by. But when their houses are filled with strife, They’ll lose their home and lose their life!

12. Making a Match • Can you match the four-line poem below with the relevant passage: (A) Habakkuk 2:6-8; (B) Habakkuk 2:9-11; (C) Habakkuk 2:12-14? They build their castles in the sky And look down on the one who passes by. But when their houses are filled with strife, They’ll lose their home and lose their life! B. Habakkuk 2:9-11

13. What Do You Think? • Which problem should take priority in being addressed: greed that leads to injustice, or the injustice itself? • Digging Deeper – Does the answer change depending on local context? Why, or why not?

14. What Do You Think? • What are some practical ways to exercise a faith that says “God is still in charge” during periods of societal unrest? • Digging Deeper – How would you explain to someone that such faith isn’t a blind faith, but is faith based on the evidence of history?

15. Second WoeHabakkuk 2:9-11 • Built to Escape Evil (vv. 9, 10) • Buildings Protest Evil (v. 11)

16. What Do You Think? • How can you recognize when your desire for something crosses the line into greed or covetousness? • Digging Deeper – What blind spots do you see in others in this regard? How will you keep those blind spots from becoming your own?

17. What Do You Think? • In what contexts of modern injustice will declarations of shame be either effective or ineffective? Why? • Digging Deeper – In what ways do 1 Corinthians 4:14; 6:5; and 15:34 influence your response?

18. Third WoeHabakkuk 2:12-14 • Fiendish Cities (v. 12) • Futile Human Efforts (v. 13) • Future Divine Plan (v. 14)

19. What Do You Think? • What are some ways to use Habakkuk 2:14 as a faith anchor in the face of injustice? • Digging Deeper – How can we ensure that we won’t use the promise of this verse as an excuse not to act against injustice?

20. Conclusion • Justice for All • Prayer • Thought to Remember

21. Human Thought vs. God’s Wisdom • Read each statement that expresses human thought. Then match it with the verse from Proverbs that gives God’s wisdom. • 1. Build luxurious houses while others are in need. • 2. Enjoy life by eating and drinking in quantity. • 3. Sacrifice the good of family to build wealth. • (A) 11:29 (B) 15:25 (C) 23:20, 21

22. Human Thought vs. God’s Wisdom • Read each statement that expresses human thought. Then match it with the verse from Proverbs that gives God’s wisdom. • 1. Build luxurious houses while others are in need. • 2. Enjoy life by eating and drinking in quantity. • 3. Sacrifice the good of family to build wealth. • (A) 11:29(B) 15:25(C) 23:20, 21

23. Human Thought vs. God’s Wisdom • Read each statement that expresses human thought. Then match it with the verse from Proverbs that gives God’s wisdom. • 4. Get rich by charging high interest rates. • 5. Seek stability through bribes and bloodshed. • 6. Work oneself to death to get rich. • (D) 29:4 (E) 28:8 (F) 23:4

24. Human Thought vs. God’s Wisdom • Read each statement that expresses human thought. Then match it with the verse from Proverbs that gives God’s wisdom. • 4. Get rich by charging high interest rates. • 5. Seek stability through bribes and bloodshed. • 6. Work oneself to death to get rich. • (D) 29:4(E) 28:8 (F) 23:4

25. Human Thought vs. God’s Wisdom • Pair off and discuss the following questions: • Which of the “human thought” statements do you struggle with the most? • Which of the proverbs spoke to you most strongly? • What changes can you make in your life to exchange unholy human thoughts for “the knowledge of the glory of the Lord”?

26. Thought to Remember The Lord, the righteous judge,makes certain that justice prevails.

27. An Argument AgainstCorruption Next Week’s Lesson