1. Caring for Widows and Orphans
Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 27:19; Acts 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:3-14; James 1:27

3. Cora Ham

4. The Davis Family

5. What caused us to consider adoption?
What role did the biblical mandate to “look after orphans” play in your decision?
How did you know that this was God’s plan for you?
What were some of your fears?
What were some of your child’s fears?
How has the adoption blessed you?

6. Others should not take advantage of widows
Discussion Guide:
1. How should widows and orphans be treated? (Exodus 22:22-24)
Others should not take advantage of widows
and orphans.

7. Discussion Guide:
2. How do people take advantage of widows and orphans today? Why does God want us to care for widows and orphans?

8. Discussion Guide:
3. What did God instruct the people of Israel to do every three years? (Deuteronomy 14:28)
God instructed the Israelites to bring a tithe of
the year’s produce and store it in their towns.

9. Discussion Guide:
4. What was the purpose of this store of produce? (Deuteronomy 14:29)
The store of produce was to be used to benefit:
The Levites who have no inheritance of their own
Aliens, widows and orphans who live in the towns

10. Discussion Guide:
5. What are some practical ways that our class can provide for aliens, widows and orphans?

11. This verse says that they are cursed.
Discussion Guide:
6. What happens to a person who withholds justice from strangers, widows and orphans? (Deuteronomy 27:19)
This verse says that they are cursed.

12. Discussion Guide:
7. What does it mean to be “cursed?” Is the curse on a person’s life always evident in this world?

13. Discussion Guide:
8. What was the complaint of the Grecian Jews? (Acts 6:1)
The Grecian Jews complained that the Hebraic
Jews overlooked their widows and orphans in
the daily distribution of food.

14. Discussion Guide:
9. How did the Twelve respond to the complaint? (Acts 6:2-3)
The solution of the Twelve was to elect seven
men full of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee
the distribution of food.

15. Discussion Guide:
10. Why do you think that it was important for these men to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom?” How important are these qualities in our lives?

16. Proper recognition should be given to widows
Discussion Guide:
11. To whom should proper recognition be given? (1 Timothy 5:3)
Proper recognition should be given to widows
who are really in need.

17. Discussion Guide:
12. What is the responsibility of the children and grandchildren of a widow? What should they do?
Children and grandchildren of a widow should
put their religion into practice by caring for
their parents and grandparents.

18. Discussion Guide:
13. What does our class do to care for widows and their families? What should we do?

19. Discussion Guide:
14. What does Paul say about someone who does not provide for his family? (1 Timothy 5:8)
Paul says that a person who does not work and
provide for his family has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.

20. Discussion Guide:
15. How does James describe “pure religion?” (James 1:27)
James describes pure religion as caring for
orphans and widows and keeping oneself
pure.

21. Tyler and Allison Fuqua