Focus on the Poor
A Study GuideThis study guide accompanies two videos adapted from Focus On The Poor, a video first presented at Urbana 93.
Focus on the Poor: Their Plight
Focus on the Poor: God's Compassion
Summary
Throughout Scripture, Gods concern for the poor is a recurring theme. The biblical definition of "the poor" goes beyond those who simply have little money, to those who, because of various circumstances of life, lack the basic necessities for existence. A review of the Old Testament prophets, the Gospels and Acts, reveals that the term encompasses those who are hungry, disabled, imprisoned, shut out by society. Jesus often encountered men, women and children for whom his "good news" included ministry to their physical as well as to their spiritual needs.
The video shows similar groups of people today who also need the gospel. The gospel they will hear and respond to must include not only forgiveness, but healing and freedom from oppression. That may force Christians out of the comfortable mold of traditional verbal witness into ministry to the whole person. But moving out of that "comfort zone" is essential if we are to reach the majority of the world's people whom Jesus would call "the least of these," (Excerpted from Help and Hope by IFES Media.)
Discussion Questions
1. Describe your response to what you have just seen and heard. Why do you feel that way? What would move you beyond emotions to actions that make a difference in the life of a poor person?
2. Did the video agree with or expand upon your understanding of the causes of poverty? After seeing the video, how do you respond to the statement, "the poor have no options"? Would your response have been different earlier?
3. In what ways might the wealthy or powerful cause the poverty of others? In comparison with the world's poor, are you wealthy or powerful?
4. Read Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:14-21. What is "good news" for a person who is poor? What should it mean to "preach good news" to the poor?
5. During the section on lifestyle changes, did anything particularly strike you as applicable to your own life? What changes can you begin to make?
6. Read Luke 9:1-6, 10:25-37, 12:13-48, and 14:33. What lifestyles, priorities and attitudes does Jesus demand of his followers?
For Further Action and Study
1. Study Matthew 25:31-46. Discuss implications for those who claim to follow Jesus but do not serve the poor. (Try studying the Old Testament prophet Amos or the Sermon on the Mount.)
2. Keep up to date on poverty through the media and organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision, or Bread For The World. Look for opportunities to lobby for government policies that protect human rights and improve services for the poor.
3. Contact local community organizations about ways you can serve the poor in your community. Make friends with a poor person, getting to know them as a person and being sensitive to their needs. Be creative in bringing Good News to them.
4. Listen to world news regularly and think of the implications for the poor. Pray for them and, as God leads, take action on their behalf.
Video Resources
Help and Hope: Good News for the Poor. (IFES Media, 1990) Focus on The Poor is excerpted from this video which goes on to present Jesus' view of the poor from the Gospels.
Beyond The Church Walls: How One Church Is Transforming Their Community. (InterVarsity Video, 1987)
Every Member Evangelism: How One Church Is Reaching A Whole City. (InterVarsity Video, 1987)
God So Loved the World. (InterVarsity Video, 1991)
The Wait of the World. (Gospel Films, 1984)
©1993 Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of the U.S.A. Produced by 2100 Productions, a division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Focus on The Poor is excerpted from Help and Hope: Good News for the Poor. (IFES Media, 1990)
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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