1. When God created Adam and Eve, he made them stewards of His Creation on earth. See Genesis 1:26-31; 2:1-25. How do you think we are doing with that stewardship? What are the implications of being stewards of Creation? How do individual choices impact all of us? Also, what does it mean for us to be created in God’s own image, and how should that inform or influence our choices?
2. Psalm 72 is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it looks forward to the coming of Jesus for its ultimate fulfillment. In his first message at his home town synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus told them that the poor would have the “good news” preached to them (Luke 4:16-19). At its core, what is the Gospel, the good news of God’s Kingdom?
3 Psalm 72 speaks of God’s desire for and Messiah’s mission for justice. What is justice, and why is it a priority with God? Why are the poor often treated unjustly? What is the role of believers in bringing justice to those around them? In what ways can believers seek to help the poor and provide justice where they are? To and for other nations?
4. Given that we live in a fallen world, ultimate justice and the remaking of Creation must await the return of Jesus. But in the mean time, what should believers be doing about these issues? How might Romans 13 help in answering these questions? How do we live as citizens of two kingdoms, the nation in which we live AND the Kingdom of God?