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For the past six
weeks we have been thinking and learning about character together in
our congregation. What insights have you discovered so far as we
have looked at the Bible characters of Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David,
Deborah and Hagar?
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As you think about
the formation of good character in young persons, what traits or
virtues do you consider among the most important?
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What character traits
are we not instilling well in American youth, in your opinion?
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One commentator says
that what many people learn by observing American politics and
American business right now is that people are acting out of the
belief that whatever you to do win or to make a profit is OK. That
is, that winning and money making are the measures and anything goes
as long as it reaches those goals. Do you agree or disagree with
that evaluation and why?
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The place of the
prophets in the Bible was very important for Israel and in the
character formation of Jesus of Nazareth. What is the popular
misconception of a prophet? What is the more accurate role of the
prophets in the Hebrew Bible.
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We have seen one
prophet at work in looking at the story of David. What did the
prophet Nathan do in relating to David? Where do you see other
prophets filling that same role in our time?
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Jeremiah is one of
the well known Hebrew prophets. He filled his prophetic mission
right before the Israelites were conquered and taken to Babylon and
during the first few years of that exile. One commentator says, “He
stood up to power. He would suffer for his heroism but he would not
shirk his duty” What do you remember about the consequences he
suffered for his truth telling?
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What do we mean by
the term “jeremiad” today?
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What was the attitude
of Jeremiah and other prophets toward the poor and toward injustice?
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Another commentator
says that Jeremiah and other prophets were willing to confess their
fears, doubts and hostilities toward God. How free do you feel to do
the same? When have you done that?
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What do you think
Jeremiah can teach us about character?
