Throughout the Bible we find examples of God’s justice. In Christ we truly see and hear the fulfillment of that justice. This quarter will look at descriptions of God’s justice as found in the psalms and prophets. We will see how Christ’s death and resurrection fulfilled God’s justice, and how Jesus taught others about justice through parables and stories. The students will come to understand that God’s justice is radically different from what we normally think justice should be. God’s justice comes to those who need it, not to those who deserve it.        

Unit 1: God Promises Justice

Session 1. Gratuitous Grace
Jonah 4

Session 2. Justice and Faith
Psalm 146

Session 3. Justice and Peace
Zechariah 7:8—8:23

Session 4. Like a Flowing River
Amos 5:14–24

Session 5. Jesus, the Judge
Isaiah 11:1–9

Session 6. A Flickering Light
Isaiah 9:1–7; Matthew 26:47–56

Faith Statement:     
5. “Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17.) Scripture tells us that, in the as yet unredeemed world in which the church also exists, the State has by divine appointment the task of providing for justice and peace. [It fulfills this task] by means of the threat and exercise of force, according to the measure of human judgment and human ability. The Church acknowledges the benefit of this divine appointment in gratitude and reverence before him. It calls to mind the Kingdom of God, God’s commandment and righteousness, and thereby the responsibility both of rulers and of the ruled. It trusts and obeys the power of the Word by which God upholds all things. (The Theological Declaration of Barmen, 8.22, focusing on the church’s vocation in executing justice and taking into account the whole spirit of the Declaration.)

Unit 2: Jesus Fulfills Justice

Session 7. The Justice of the Cross
Mark 16:1–11; Romans 3:21–26

Session 8. Creating a Just World
Matthew 28:16–20

Session 9. Jubilee!
Luke 4:16–18

Faith Statement:     
Q. 38. Why was the title “Christ,” which means “anointed one,” applied to Jesus?
A. Jesus Christ was the definitive prophet, priest and king. All of the Lord’s anointed in Israel anticipated and led finally to him. In assuming these offices Jesus not only transformed them, but also realized the purpose of Israel’s election for the sake of the world. (The Study Catechism: Full Version)

Unit 3: Jesus Teaches Justice

Session 10. God’s Justice, Our Justice
Matthew 5:1–12

Session 11. A Lousy Drink of Water!
Luke 16:19–31

Session 12. Just or Fair?
Matthew 20:1–16

Session 13. The Measuring Stick
Matthew 25:31–46

Session 14. Searching for Justice and Peace
John 14:25–31; Acts 2:1–4, 12–21

Faith Statement:
Q. 128. What is meant by the second petition, “Your kingdom come”?
A. We are asking God to come and rule among us through faith, love and justice—and not through any one of them without the others. We pray for both the church and the world, that God will rule in our hearts through faith, in our personal relationships through love, and in our institutional affairs through justice. We ask especially that the gospel will not be withheld from us, but rightly preached and received. We pray that the church will be upheld and increase, particularly when in distress; and that all the world will more and more submit to God’s reign, until that day when crying and pain are no more, and we live forever with God in perfect peace. (The Study Catechism: Full Version)