CHAPTER 13

Justice Will Prevail

  1.   Identify something that happened in your life that wasn’t fair. How did this event make you feel? How did this event affect the way you view God?

  2.   Before reading this chapter what did you know about Judgment Day?

       •   If you were raised going to church, did your church often talk about God’s judgment? If so, how did you receive this message?

       •   If you were not raised hearing about God’s judgment, how did you receive the message in this chapter?

  3.   Read what Scripture says about God’s judgment in the following passages: Matthew 12:36; Acts 17:30–31; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; and Revelation 20:11–12.

       •   When will the Judgment Day happen?

       •   Who will be judged?

       •   How will they be judged?

  4.   This idea of justice and judgment is a double-edged sword. On one hand it’s hopeful to know that God will judge those who have treated us wrong. On the other hand it’s unsettling to know that we also will be judged. How do you feel about this tension?

  5.   What role will Christ play in our judgment? (See Romans 2:16.)

  6.   Our complete forgiveness will never be more evident than when we are being judged with Christ beside us. Do you feel fully forgiven by God?

       •   If not, what sin or baggage are you still holding on to?

       •   What part of your life do you not believe has been forgiven?

  7.   Max points out that on Judgment Day we will not only be judged for our wrongs, but also our good deeds will be recognized. As Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

       •   Have you ever done a good deed that went unrecognized? Were you expecting recognition but never received it? What was that experience like? Was it disappointing not to be recognized for your work?

       •   Knowing that God sees everything you do, how are you encouraged to do good even if you are never recognized for it?

  8.   The parable of the talents tells the story of three servants who were entrusted with money from their master. Read the parable in Matthew 25:14–30.

       •   What does the talent symbolize in this story?

       •   What do the actions of the first two servants, who multiplied their talents, symbolize?

       •   What do the actions of the last servant, who buried his talent in the ground, symbolize?

       •   What did the master mean when he said, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matt. 25:29)?

  9.   The master told the first two servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:21, 23). We all long to hear these words on Judgment Day.

       •   What do you hope Jesus will commend you for? What do you hope to have been faithful with?

       •   What gifts do you believe God has given you that you could use for kingdom work? How could you be more fruitful with what you have been given?

10.   People of the Promise have no reason to fear Judgment Day. And People of the Promise can have faith that God will bring justice to all things.

       •   Do you fear God’s judgment? Spend some time talking to him about your fears.

       •   Is there a circumstance or person in your life that you believe needs justice or God’s judgment? Bring that person or circumstance to Christ. Ask him to help you surrender the situation to God’s sovereign judgment so you don’t have to carry the weight of it anymore.