Element Christian Church
Forgive Week 6 Justice and Love
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Element
We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! We aim to glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel community and planting churches.
The Weekender Sign Up
The Weekender is a 2-day event intended for anyone who wants to move beyond simply attending services and explore how to get better connected. Friday night includes dinner with staff, elders, and other leaders, as well as an introduction to Element’s vision and core values. On Saturday morning, we’ll share the theological beliefs that shape those values, how your role and spiritual gifts can fit within our community, and answer any questions you might have. <br> While attending The Weekender is a prerequisite to becoming a Member of Element Christian Church, attendees are not required to become Members. Childcare and meals will be provided both days. <br> Schedule: Friday 10/6 - 5:30-8p. Saturday 10/7 - 9a-2p Learn more at https://www.ourelement.org/weekender
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/482689Trivia Night - September 15th
Join us for another night of fun, food trucks, and trivia! Create a team or come and we'll put you on one! A great way to meet others and to invite family and friends! <br> If you would like to help with childcare, email jenna.heuchert@ourelement.org
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/595796Replanted Conference
Foster, adoptive & kinship parents – You are not alone. The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Regardless of where you are in your adoption and foster care journey, we've created something special, just for you. <br> If you would like to help, please email michael.reed@ourelement.org
https://www.ourelement.org/replantedNew to Element? Need prayer? Just want to connect?
Click the link to fill out our Digital Connect Card so we can know you were here and send you a "Welcome" email.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/295918Stay Connected - Download the Church Center App
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupHelp Needed!!
Click the link below to see all the various areas you can serve at Element and sign up to help
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779This week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:<br><br>Your Grace Is Enough<br>No Chains On Me<br>Remedy<br>O Come to the Alter<br>The Cross Has the Final Word<br><br><br>
Justice and Love
This week’s message focuses on balancing justice and love when forgiving others. Scripture condemns seeking revenge, hating others, and bearing grudges against those who wrong us. Instead, it calls us to rebuke those who do wrong while also loving them. True forgiveness requires both justice and love - if we only forgive without confronting the wrongdoing, we enable further harm, but if we only seek justice without forgiving, we risk vengeance.
The doctrine of substitutionary atonement shows God’s commitment to justice against sin, while also offering forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice. This models how we should pursue justice and forgiveness. The cross inverts oppressive power dynamics. Out of love, we must help perpetrators see their wrongdoing while praying for their repentance and restoration. Forgiveness and justice together provide the chance for real repentance. Pursuing both is difficult but vital for living out biblical forgiveness.
In light of our own sin against God, what would true justice mean for us?
How do God’s love and justice inform each other?
How does the doctrine of substitutionary atonement give us a model for pursuing justice and forgiveness?
Internal
Why is it important to balance love and justice when forgiving others?
What happens if we focus on only one or the other?
What makes it difficult to see perpetrators of injustice as fellow sinners whom God calls us to love?
How does the cross help change our perspective of others?
Horizontal
How can victims of abuse or oppression rightly seek justice while also offering forgiveness?
Ask others if they see you lean more toward demonstrating love or justice in your relationships?
What would it look like to pursue both love and justice this week?
Action Steps
Reflect on how the Cross embodies God’s perfect love and justice.
Thank God for how his forgiveness has not just rescued us, but also provided a model for how we are to treat others.
Consider how you can recognize ways that you have wronged others.
Consider how you can demonstrate love to someone that has wronged you.
Review and work through this week’s additional resource article: “Justice: The Foundation of a Christian Approach to Abuse.”