Responding to the Tsunami
January 24-28, 2005

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences (contagious and infectious epidemic diseases) in various places, and fearful events...

Luke 21:11 (NIV)

The Bible has told us that over time the earth would experience a multitude of natural disasters. Some are small in magnitude where there is little loss of life and community rebuilding takes a short period of time. Other natural disasters, such as the recent Asian tsunami, are of epic proportions with tens of thousands of lives lost, entire communities destroyed, and rebuilding that will take years at enormous international expense. Regardless of the magnitude, the inevitable question we all ask is why God allows such things to happen. Is it possible we are asking the wrong question? There are no simple answers to why, but there are a lot of answers to what. Let's discuss a few ways God would have us respond and the reasons He gives us for doing so.

MONDAY

1. WHY DID IT HAPPEN?

[Your Objective: Realize that asking "why?" will not produce satisfying answers during a crisis or disaster.]

According to Ecclesiastes 8:17, who can understand what God is doing on earth?

  • What does this say to us about the futility of asking why?

What does Romans 8:20-22 say is the present condition of creation? What is its future?

Consider Lamentations 3:33 and Ezekiel 18:32. Is it foolish to blame God when life brings grief, affliction or death? Why or why not?

Based on Ecclesiastes 9:2, how are we to understand death?

Look at Romans 3:23; 6:23. Why is death the enemy of all mankind?

According to 1 Peter 4:17, where will God's judgment begin?

  • In light of this, how would you respond to a believer who says the recent Tsunami in Asia was God's judgment on the people in that region?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Christian maturity means accepting difficult situations as part of God's purpose for our lives. Instead of asking why, we begin to trust as we realize that Christ is present in our reality. As Hebrews 4:15 assures us, "We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - all but the sin" (The Message). What situation in your own life do you need to accept and what first step can you begin to take in order to let go and let God take over?

TUESDAY

2. WHAT CAN WE DO?

[Your Objective: Grasp the importance of personal action in the face of need.]

According to Proverbs 3:28, how should we respond to a neighbor in need?

  • Who is our neighbor?

Job 30:24 challenges us to consider God’s character when disaster strikes and behave as He would. What does this verse say about God when the needy cry for help?

  • What is our typical reaction to disasters that occur in places far from where we live? How is this lesson challenging us to think and behave differently?
  • Name three things you can do in order to supply short-term relief.
  • Long term relief requires a plan of action and people working together. Consider stories you may have heard, seen or read in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami disaster. Who was often first on the scene? Who do you think God expects to lead the way in relief distribution?

Ministry - There are "tsunamis" happening throughout the world every single day. Globally, mass numbers of children are dying daily from malnutrition and even more adults and children from AIDS. What can we, as members of the body of Christ, do to reach those in desperate need, whether they are in your family, your community or on the other side of the world? Consider the long-term goals of the Lighthouse Church:

WHAT?

HOW?

Plant & Partner with Churches

Purpose Driven

Equip Servant Leaders

Led by Small Groups

Assist the Poor

Attacks the global giants

Care for the Sick

Networks church to church

Educate the Next Generation

Sends to the whole world

In your small groups, commit to pray for God’s direction in how He would use your group to accomplish His mission in the world. Agree to discuss what He is speaking to your hearts at your next session.

WEDNESDAY

3. WHY MUST I HELP?

[Your Objective: Understand God's heart for the world and His expectation that we care about what He cares about.]

1. IT PLEASES GOD

What instructions about dealing with others do we learn from Hebrews 13:16?

  • Why is it important we please God by sharing with others?
  • What are we supposed to share with others -- the truth, material goods, money, or good wishes?

2. IT PROVES MY LOVE FOR GOD

From 1 John 3:17, what does Paul say about love and our material possessions?

  • How does sharing our material possessions reveal whether or not we love God?

3. IT BRINGS GOD'S BLESSING

Read Titus 3:14. What benefits come from helping those in need?

  • What kinds of blessings do you think God might bring our way when we meet the needs of others?
  • Is looking for a blessing a right reason to help the needy?

4. I WILL BE REWARDED IN HEAVEN

In Matthew 25:40, what did Jesus say about who we actually help when we respond to those who are hungry, thirsty or in need of clothing?

  • What keeps us from being willing to share our financial or material wealth with people we don't know?
  • How can helping the needy be glorifying to God? Why did Jesus talk about this topic when he discussed the judgment of the nations?

THURSDAY

5. IT'S A TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD

According to Isaiah 58:10, what will result when we give to the needs of the hungry and help those who are oppressed?

  • How is Jesus revealed when we meet these needs?
  • What keeps us from being willing to spend ourselves on meeting the needs of others? What will it take for us to have a change of heart?

6. IT MAKES ME MORE LIKE CHRIST

Read Philippians 2:4-5. What are we told to do in these verses? What kind of attitude are we to have?

  • What does it mean to have the attitude of Christ?
  • What do you think it would look like if we treated people like Christ did every day?

Evangelism (Mission) - Our mission in the world is to do the work Christ came to do. What things did Christ do that we can do today? Who can your group reach out to in order to meet these kinds of needs? What will it take for your group to be willing to make a major contribution of time, goods, money or love for people like those suffering from a natural disaster?

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Understand that even in a broken world, God is still in control.]

Though we don't know why tragedy happens, we do know that God wants us to help those afflicted by it. The right question is, in effect, "What can I do?" There are lots of answers to that question, and all of them have to do with being the hands and feet of Christ on earth. Are you or someone you know going through a personal tsunami? Jesus is the answer. He grieves when you grieve, and is troubled when you hurt. If you haven't invited Him into your life, ask Him now. As Christians, no matter what our background or culture, we all have the cross of Christ in common. Discuss ways with someone how God might use you to reach the world with His message of hope. Over the next few weeks, make a plan and a commitment to reach out to your community or the world. Follow through on your commitment.