We Believe / Christian Living

April 7, 2024

Study Questions

Micah 6:8

1.    Read the EFCA Statement of Faith – Article 8: Christian Living. Identify key words that stand out to you:

“We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.”

2.    Read Micah 6:8. How does this verse help define the EFCA statement?

3.    Read Ecclesiastes 4:1. How does this verse change or refine your perspective on injustice in the world? Where do you see injustices in our culture today? 

4.    What is the problem when people are left to their own standard of justice? (See Judges 17:6.) 

5.    Can you think of specific ways that the body of Christ can turn social justice into gospel justice?

6.    For the Christian, where do God’s grace and His justice meet? (See John 1:14.) How do we see the effects of this in relation to Christ’s accomplished work on the cross?

7.    Describe mercy in your own words. Why does the passage say ‘love mercy’ rather than ‘be merciful’?

8.    Read Matthew 23:23-26. Compare Jesus’ condemnation of the religious leaders’ hypocrisy with Micah’s calling out of the people of Judah. In what ways are Jesus’ and Micah’s messages similar? How are they different? 

9.    In 1 Peter 5:5, why does God oppose the proud so strongly? Why is there no room for pride in the Christian’s life? 

10. What are some ways we “go through the motions” in our daily walk with God? At church? 

11. In what ways could you or your life group participate in an activity or ministry that fights for justice and mercy for underprivileged groups? What are some new ways we as a church can reach out to those less fortunate in your community?