Civil War

INTRODUCTION

     Cycles and Porta Potty

     Stuff Got Crazy

     The Downstream Village

CIVIL WAR

     We want Justice! Verses 1-12

     Disproportionate Justice? Verses 13-19

     The Carnage of Civil War Verses 20-28

     Defeat, Defeat, Favor

     The Battle Turns Verses 29-48

THE END...NOBODY WINS?

     Three Reminders

          Sin begets sin
          Justice and peace
          Vengeance is Gods

COMMUNITY MEDITATION

KNOW

• The Levite presents his story to Israel in a certain light. What parts does he leave out in light of the narrative in Judges 19?
• Revisit Judges 1 which records Judah winning battles. What are the similarities in Judges 1 and 20? What are the differences? Who is the enemy?

FEEL

• Should we feel anger at injustice and evil doing? How might anger alone cause disproportionate responses? Why do we need both outrage and truth?
• Have you seen instances where things escalate out of control? In history? In your history?

LIVE

• Look at your own life story. Where is there infighting, civil war, strife that gets out of control? What’s our part in this?
• Read Romans 12:9-21 out loud with your family and with your missional community. What do you think “as far as it depends upon you” means and requires of us? How can you know if you have done enough to make peace with others? How can you lay down your arms of needing to make your case, fight the battles etc.? What is the example of Jesus found in 1 Peter 22:22-25?