Commitment: Committed to Doing Right

Commitment: Committed to Doing Right by Sharilyn Searls Adair was published by Abingdon Press in May 2007. The ISBN for Commitment: Committed to Doing Right is 9780687643011.

Session 1, “What Does the Lord Require?” lifts up justice, kindness, and the love of God as solid standards to guide our decisions and actions (Micah 2:1-4; 3:1-5, 8-12; 6:6-8).

Session 2, “Living God’s Justice.” Amos identifies the root of injustice as the inclination of one part of society to ignore the needs of another. Hosea reminds us that God holds us accountable for our actions but also always works for our redemption (2 Kings 14:23-25; 15:8-26; Hosea 4:1-4; 7:1-2; 12:7-9; 14:1-3; Amos 5:10-15, 21-24).

Session 3, “True Worship and Abundant Life,” explores our human longing for pure and meaningful worship of God and the connection between worship and how we live (2 Kings 15:32-35; Isaiah 1:10-20; 6:1-8; 55:1-11).

Session 4, “Accepting Responsibility for Our Actions,” reminds us that we are responsible for our deeds. God is just and will punish and redeem us for our actions; and, ultimately, we will have reason to praise God for all God’s actions (2 Chronicles 34:1-3; Ezekiel 18; Zephaniah 3:1-13).

Session 5, “Reasons to Hope,” looks at our need for hope when all seems wrong in the world and in our personal lives. The Scriptures remind us that the same God who will not tolerate injustice also works for salvation. God’s unfailing love and care gives us hope in the midst of despair (2 Kings 23:35-37; 25:1-2, 5-7; Lamentations 3:25-33, 55-58; Habakkuk 2:1-20).

Session 6, “Trust in God,” examines human tendencies on the one hand to act as though God will always protect us from the consequences of our actions and on the other to believe that bad things that happen to us are God’s punishment. God holds us accountable for our actions. Nevertheless, God is faithful, says Jeremiah, and in time will respond with healing when we approach God in true worship (2 Kings 23:36; Jeremiah 7: 1-15; 29:1-14).

Session 7, “Turning Our Hearts to God,” examines human yearnings for wholeness and happiness and for the triumph of justice and good in the events of daily life. God’s judgment will one day set all things right, and God will bless those who worship God in truth (Zechariah 1:1-6; 7:7-14; 8:16-17, 20-21, 23; Malachi 2:17—4:3).

You will have many opportunities to encounter and experience the life-transforming love of God as you participate in a Great Themes of the Bible group. We pray that your experience in the group will lead you to see yourself as a beloved human being created in the image of God and to grow in your love of God, self, and neighbor.