Justice Bible Studies

Dark cyan brick wall with a sign propped up reading "No Justice No Peace"

Seeking Shalom

The injustice in our world makes us long for God’s shalom, the Hebrew word that connotes a sense of wholeness and peace in a material, physical, relational, and moral sense. Jesus made a way for us to experience this shalom and invites us to join the work of the Holy Spirit in working for justice on personal, communal, and systemic levels. We cling to the hope that God will one day bring an end to injustice once and for all, but until that day, we live in a way that testifies to who God is. 

Purpose

This series is intended to be a foundational resource that propels participants towards a life-long pursuit of justice that is grounded in Jesus. It is a formative study that gives participants the opportunity to encounter God through Scripture and explore practical tools in the form of spiritual rhythms that will sustain them in seeking shalom.

Each week of this series includes: 

  • Introduction
  • Passage & Background
  • Discussion Questions
  • Summary & Reflection 
  • Spiritual Practice

We pray that this series would help participants not settle for performative acts of justice, but instead to learn how following Jesus reorients our entire lives.

Justice is an attribute of God’s character and central to God’s work in the world.

Participants should be able to articulate the connection between Jesus and justice by the end of the series.

As your community spends time tracing justice through Scripture, we pray that it would be a healing balm for those who are weary. We pray it would stir awe and wonder at God’s righteousness, and that it would spark a fire in your belly to seek shalom for our broken world. 

Using this Resource

To make the most of this resource: 

  • Specifically, draw on current events in the intro discussions.
  • Tweak the study to make it more natural for the facilitator. 
  • Be directive if the group defaults to a reading of the text that lacks curiosity.
  • Intentionally read the passages through the lens of justice.
  • Each week, offer a summary of the previous study, renaming “aha” moments or main points discussed.

Series Overview

Week 0: Let's Talk about Justice (optional study)

Bible project video + discussion

View Week 0 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 0 Bible Study (docx)

Week 1: God's Intention for Creation

Genesis 1

View Week 1 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 1 Bible Study (docx)

Week 2: Evil and Injustice Multiply

Genesis 6:5-22

View Week 2 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 2 Bible Study (docx)

Week 3: God Responds to Injustice

Exodus 2:23-3:12

View Week 3 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 3 Bible Study (docx)

Week 4: The Call to God’s People: Act Justly

Isaiah 58

View Week 4 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 4 Bible Study (docx)

Week 5: Jesus Brings Liberation for All

Luke 4:14-30

View Week 5 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 5 Bible Study (docx)

Week 6: All Things Reconciled

Colossians 1:15-23

View Week 6 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 6 Bible Study (docx)

View Justice & The Gospel (Four Circles Script)

Download the Justice Bible Studies Phone Wallpapers below.

Week 7: All Things New

Revelation 21:1-8,22-27 

View Week 7 Bible Study (pdf)

View Week 7 Bible Study (docx)


Extra Resources

gray icon leadership

Leader's Guides for all 7 weeks are available
in the form of Google docs.

gray icon evangelism

Groups Investigating God (GIG) versions can be completed in ~30 minutes with language adapted for seekers. These are available as Google docs.

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You may also do these Bible studies online – this Google doc version is optimized to be used over Zoom.

gray icon four circles

Use the Justice and The Gospel Four Circles Script in the form of Google docs.

Social Media

Social media graphics are included for you to advertise and foster online engagement before, during, and after the study. Use the hashtag #justicebiblestudies on social media so campuses can see each other. Graphics include:

  • blank square and story sized backgrounds
  • weekly square and story sized ads
  • and a main graphic square.

View and Download all Graphics

Some campuses used Instagram in creative ways during the study itself and to highlight student testimonies. Check them out here (scroll down their feed until you see the JBS passages): 

 

Phone Wallpapers

 

Social Media Advertising Graphics

Week 1 Sample

View and Download all Graphics

 


Contributors

Thank you to the many people who developed and shaped this series: 

Glenn Griffin
William Cheung
Glorianne Wright
Steve Tamayo
Andy Kim 
Maureen Huang
Multiethnic Initiatives and Creative Labs

Tim Fu
Northwestern University student

Jessica Suk
Melissa Casiano-Sebastian
Justin Casiano-Sebastian
Kweku Bransah
Jennifer Galindo-Sanchez
Joy Pettigrew
HC Yang
Chicago Area Staff

Derekah Kingery
Naomi Hall
Hannah Warfel
Brittany Ben
Downstate IL Staff and Students

Casey Crockett
Fresno State University

Eliana Land
Ministry Specialist, Pacific Region

Janna Louie
Area Director, GFM Southern California

Jeff Liou
National Director of Theological Formation

Courtney Herwicz
2100


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Accelerated  Resource

This resource has been tested and approved by InterVarsity’s National Strategy & Innovation team for campus ministry. Explore more resources by visiting the Accelerated Small Group Bible Study Collection.

 

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