Who would you consider to be a modern day prophet?
88% of UK adults think more should be done to tackle poverty. Source: Yougov poll for Christians Against Poverty, March 2023
3.8 million people in the UK experienced destitution in 2022. Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
More than 1 billion people in the majority world live in poverty. Source: Global Multidimensional Poverty
Index 2023.
Scripture Reading: Amos 5.11, 21-24
Therefore, because you trample on the poor
Amos 5.11, 21-24
and take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
God of justice and righteousness, who spoke through the prophet Amos,
Help us to speak truth to power.
Help us to attend to and understand inequality in our community.
Lift up the voices of those excluded from power and give us ears to hear them.
Challenge us to become prophetic speakers in your name and to empower others to do so.
Inspire us with your Spirit that we may work together for a more just world.
In Jesus name, Amen.
This Bible Study meets Wednesdays April 24th, May 1st, May 8th, May 15th, May 22nd , May 29th at 7.30pm on ZOOM. A full overview is available here: Act on Poverty – Bible Study 2024
The study materials are available on the Christian Aid Website or in the collated file at the bottom of this page.
If you would like to request the ZOOM details, please fill this form:
Themes Week-by-Week
Week 1 (24th April): Prophetic ‘Let justice roll down like water’ (Amos 5:24)
The Bible shows us that being a prophet is far from easy. But the church is called to speak up about injustice. How, with God’s help, can you and your church develop your prophetic voice?
Week 2 (1st May): Broken ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ (Luke 10:36) Our politics, our churches, our world are in many ways be divided and in need of redemption and repair. This pack helps you discuss these divisions and the broken systems that produce poverty. How can we be part of God’s healing and redeeming work?
Week 3 (8th May): Generous ‘For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had’ (Mark 12:44)
Many people are having to tighten their belts due to the cost-of-living crisis. What might it mean to be ‘generous’ or ‘cheerful givers’ (2 Corinthians 9.7) when we feel like we have nothing to spare? What gifts do we have that we can share?
Week 4 (15th May): Located ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ (Mark 2:16)
Beginning with reflections on where Jesus chose to place himself during his ministry, this pack equips your church to look afresh at where you are located. Groups can explore questions about how we discern what God is already doing in our community and who has power in your locality.
Week 5 (22nd May): Hopeful ‘…he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.’ (Luke 4:18, Isiah 61)
How can we develop practices of hope in challenging times? This session explores lament and anger as part of hope and looks at the expansive vision of hope that God offers us. By growing hope we can be part of Jesus’ proclamation of the good news.
Week 6 (29th May): Together ‘It is like a mustard seed.’ (Mark 4:30-32)
Our final pack looks at what we can do together to tackle poverty, local and global. This resource focuses on practical action in community. Use our Seeds of Change action cards and our ‘Sow, Water, Nurture, Grow’ planning sheets to decide what actions you and your church could take.
Wellington Church Glasgow 