Is It Fair?

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “Please share an incident where you felt you were not treated fairly.” [Answers could be about workload, driving, taxation, family relationships, and/or kindness/fairness toward oneself.]

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Genesis 45:1-15 and Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28.

• After reading Genesis 45:1-15 (or after recalling the life of Joseph), what experiences did Joseph endure that were unfair? [Potiphar’s wife; his brothers selling him, etc.]
• After reading Matthew 15:21-28, do you think that it is fair for the Canaanite woman to endure Jesus’ harsh words to save her daughter? How so?
• In Genesis 45:5, Joseph confesses that “God sent me before you to preserve life” (NRSVUE). Joseph justifies the pain he had to endure because it was part of God’s plan. Many Christians use the expression “God’s plan” to explain the unexplainable: this or that happened to you because it is God’s plan. What are your thoughts about this expression or theological justification? Is it fair? What does it say about God’s character? If you dislike this expression, what is your alternative?
• In the Planning Worship material, the author, Derek Weber, writes: “Do we acknowledge our privilege over those who have less in terms of access, goods and services, and in terms of treatment by those in authority?” Dr. Weber invites us to reflect on our privileges before we measure the fairness of an incident. Instead of considering privileges as shame (or something to hide/deny), we are encouraged to use privilege as an opportunity to participate in gracious ministries. If you are willing and able, please share your privileges (gender, race, financially well-off, able-bodied, etc.) Then, please share how your privileges could be used as opportunities to share the gospel.
• God’s grace is the ultimate manifestation of undeserved fairness. We call this “unconditional love.” This is only partially the way Wesleyans understand grace. If we received God’s grace based upon our so-called “holiness,” would any of us be holy enough to receive God’s grace? Please reflect upon how God’s grace has been part of your life in ways that are overflowing and unconditional.
• In the Planning Worship material, Dr. Weber challenges us: “When we are truly seeking the face of God, we go beyond fair and move into grace manifested in love in all our relationships.”

I don’t think that Dr. Weber is denying fairness. Rather, our need for fairness must be guided by God’s grace; otherwise, we would be swallowed by pettiness and anger. With a partner or two, please share how we could fight for justice and fairness with the intention of seeking the face of God in one another and with all of God’s creation.

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

God of justice, we thank you for your unconditional love. We seek fairness and justice in our lives every day. Forgive us when we are not fair or just to others or ourselves. Guide us with your wisdom as we navigate this difficult world. As we who are in positions of power and privilege acknowledge the gifts we have freely received, help us to freely share the gifts we have received. In the name of the Christ who died for us. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Dong Hyeon Jeong is the Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation and the director of the Center for Asian/ Asian American Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, IL). He is an ordained elder/pastor of The United Methodist Church (Philippines Conference). His research highlights the importance of reading/interpreting the New Testament from a social justice perspective.