Purpose & Objectives

This lesson's purpose is to demonstrate the impact that fearing the LORD has on our communities and society as a whole.

Memory Verse for Week 6:
2 Samuel 23:3-4. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'
Lesson Background

The founding documents of our nation � the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both assert that God grants rights to men, and then institutes governments among men to safeguard these rights. Where do these ideas come from? Our founders were God-fearing men who believed they were inspired in constructing these charters.
But in recent times, governments have displaced individuals, families, churches in the roles of educator, provider, and caregiver. With this action, they have also usurped the authority vested by God in these institutions.
What was the original pattern? Can we get back to the original design? What role does the fear of God play in such areas as civil government, justice, education, and care for the weak, infirm, aged, and foreigner?

Definitions � Reminder from Week 1

The fear of the LORD is a profound love and deep respect for God
The fear of the LORD is simply taking God seriously � he keeps his promises and expects us to obey his commands.
The fear of the LORD is the attitude that results from knowing that God is watching my every action, weighing my every motive, and aware of my every thought.
The fear of the LORD means to love what God loves, and hate what he hates.

Day One Homework Scripture Reading: Care for the weak, infirm, poor, aged, and foreigner. Leviticus 19:32. Leviticus 19:9-18. Acts 2:44-45. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. Galatians 6:5. Exodus 1:16-17
Every society, community, and family has its 'disadvantaged' members. Some become this way through the malice of others, some through natural occurrences, some through laziness or foolishness. Regardless, both individuals and the church have a responsibility to carry out.

Leviticus 19:32. What attitude do we show to the aged?

Leviticus 19:9-18. What are our responsibilities toward each of the groups named in this passage of scripture?

Leviticus 19:14. What motivates us to fulfill our responsibilities?

Acts 2:44-45. How did individuals in the early church care for those who lacked food?

Leviticus 19:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Galatians 6:5. What requirement do able-bodied people have to provide for themselves?

Exodus 1:16-17. How would the our national tragedy, abortion, be changed if the medical profession feared the LORD?

Day Two Homework

Scripture Reading: Relationships with employees and employers. Ephesians 6:5-9. Leviticus 25:43. 1 Peter 2:18. Job 31:13-23
The relationships described as 'servants' or even 'slaves' in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were quite similar to modern relationships between employers and employees.

Ephesians 6:5-9. What should a servant's attitude be toward his master? Does God make a distinction between slave and free when it comes to rewards?

Leviticus 25:43. Ephesians 6:8. How should a master treat his servants? What is his motivation for treating them this way?

Job 31:13-23. How does Job claim he has treated the disadvantaged? What is the motivation for his actions?

Are you an employee / employer? If so, what adjustments should you make in serving your employer / directing your employees?

Day Three Homework

Scripture Reading: Civil justice. Isaiah 11:3-4. John 8:15-16. 2 Chronicles 19:7-9. Exodus 18:21-22.

Isaiah 11:3-4, John 8:15-16. What basis did Jesus use for making decisions and judgments?

2 Chronicles 19:7-9. What criteria does the Lord set for selecting judges?

Exodus 18:21-22. What criteria are used for selecting judges for Israel?

What would be different in our courts if judges had to meet the same criteria?

Day Four Homework

Scripture Reading: Civic leadership. 2 Samuel 23:3-4. Nehemiah 5:15. Genesis 42:18.

2 Samuel 23:3-4. The Lord compares one who rules in the fear of the LORD to" the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." What does this mean to you?

Nehemiah 5:15. Explain how Nehemiah's actions were consistent with fearing God.

Genesis 42:18. What action did Joseph take because he feared God?

Describe a recent decision made or action of an elected official that displays his / her fear of the LORD. Identify another action / decision that demonstrates a lack of the fear of the LORD.