How does Christ’s command to care for “the least of these” translate to social action?

Click on the order button below to download this Christianity Today Bible Study as a PDF file.

Overview

Joel Carpenter says the church has changed a lot in the past 30 years, thanks to a document hammered out by a small group of evangelicals whose social consciences were hurting. Many people have never heard of the Chicago Declaration, but according to this article, it is responsible for turning the hearts of many evangelicals back to issues of social justice and compassion ministry. But have we come far enough?

In this study, we will explore the tension between social justice and evangelism. We will look at Jesus’ expectations of his followers, and we will ask some probing questions of ourselves and our own churches.

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 14:34; Amos 5:24; Matthew 25:31–46; James 1:27

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: When we care for the needy, we give testimony to our faith in God.

—Teaching point two: When we care for the needy, we serve Jesus Christ and affect our ultimate judgment.

You have permission to make up to 1,000 copies for use in your local church.