Thursday September 19, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. Revelation 21:1-4

As we read in Ecclesiastes that there is a time to kill, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Is it ever right to kill another human?’

 

We know that every person is created in the image of God and has intrinsic value because of that God-image. Take away that image and postulate that man is the by-product of time and chance working on some meaningless goo and the question has to be, ‘Is it ever right to keep someone alive?’ Under this system, death is valuable and helpful and the weaker members of the human race should die!

 

But if we are made in the image of our Creator, we have to wrestle with the question, ‘Is it ever right to kill another human being?’ God, in the Ten Commandments stipulated, ‘Thou shall not kill’. The word “kill” could be translated as “murder”. God forbade the unjust killing, the murder, of human beings. But God also demanded life for life. If a person deliberately killed another person then that person forfeited his right to life.

 

We also need to consider the concept of just warfare. We have to consider if going to war against an unjust and tyrannical leader, who is causing unfair and unjust suffering to many, is a good thing or a bad thing. Is it better to end his reign and bring peace to many, or is it better to let him continue causing suffering and death to the masses?

 

In this world we will face death and suffering. Sometimes that death and suffering will be cruel and heartless. Sometimes it will rock us to core of our being. Sometimes we will ache! But we look forward to a time, to a world, where there will be no death and no suffering. We look forward to a world where people will not kill each other. They will not hate each other. They will not despise each other. We look forward to a perfect world where Christ rules at the centre of His creation and everyone walks in perfect obedience.

 

Are you assured of your position in such a world? Do you know for certain that this is where you are headed? Are you living your life like a citizen of that perfect world?

 

Prayer:

meetings and the low priority meetings and the low priority given to cell, home-group, or Bible study attendance suggest that we don’t have to rely on God.

 

God is seen most powerfully at work when His people have to rely on Him and desperately call out to Him.

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

Give thanks to the Lord and call on His name; make known among the nations

what He has done and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:4

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

Ask the Lord to bless our youth group with growth and maturity. Pray that God would bring depth and knowledge to the youth and that He

¥  would equip them to be faithful ambassadors for Christ in their respective environments.

¥ Pray that the MOPS and Play Pals programs here would bring many people to Christ for salvation. Pray that God would continue to raise up the leaders and helpers needed.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

Let’s assume that MJ confides in you that she is thinking about suicide. She can’t see the point of pushing on.

1. What would you do in this situation?

2. Who could you turn to for help?

3. What kind of support would MJ need through this?