Made for Relationships: Orphans
About the Christian responsibility to care for orphans, the fatherless, and the vulnerable. Guest speaker Nathan Mandsager uses biblical commands from James, the Psalms, and Isaiah to assert that serving the broken is a core aspect of pure and undefiled religion and a historical legacy of the Christian church. He stresses that this action must stem from faith rather than being an attempt to earn salvation, challenging the audience to choose to engage through fostering, adoption, supporting organizations like Child Voice, or simply serving within their local communities. Ultimately, the sermon asks listeners to consider why and how they should actively bring hope and care to those in need, using the Gospel as the necessary motivation for such outward efforts.
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Study Guide: Made for Relationships - Orphans and the Fatherless
This study guide is designed to review the core concepts presented in the sermon concerning the Christian responsibility towards orphans, the fatherless, and the vulnerable. It covers the biblical basis for this calling, the historical legacy of the church, and practical methods for engagement.
Short Answer Quiz
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences, drawing directly from the information presented in the source material.
What are the three types of love described in the sermon, and what does each one represent?
According to the speaker, what are the two primary reasons why followers of Jesus should care for the orphan, the fatherless, and the vulnerable?
How does James 1:27 define "pure and undefiled religion" before God?
What specific commands does God issue through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah chapter one regarding justice and oppression?
What was the practice of "exposition" in the Roman Empire, and how did the early church respond to it?
According to the provided quote from an early historian, what were some of the defining characteristics of early Christians in their care for others?
What are the four practical steps suggested for how to care for the orphan, the fatherless, and the vulnerable?
The speaker states that not everyone is equipped to do foster care or adopt. What are some of the alternative ways people can support families who are involved in foster care?
According to the provided data, approximately how many orphans are there worldwide, and what does this number represent?
How does the speaker explain the relationship between faith and works, particularly in the context of serving the vulnerable?
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Answer Key
The three types of love are described as three concentric circles. The innermost circle is Tenacious Love, directed at immediate family and close friends. The next circle is Aggressive Love, which is an assertive, bold love for others in one's workplace, school, and neighborhood. The outermost circle is Valiant Love, a heroic and courageous love that extends to the broken and vulnerable throughout the world.
The two primary reasons given are that God commands it and it is the Christian church's legacy. The speaker emphasizes that scripture consistently commands believers to provide for, protect, and care for the vulnerable as a reflection of God's heart, and that the early church was historically marked by this kind of action.
James 1:27 defines pure and undefiled religion as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unstained from the world. The speaker notes that the verse ties the work on behalf of the broken directly to remaining unstained by the world.
In Isaiah chapter one, God commands the people to "Wash yourselves," "cease to do evil," "learn to do good," "seek justice," "correct oppression," "bring justice to the fatherless," and "plead the widow's cause." These are presented as concrete actions required to move beyond empty religious duty.
Exposition was the accepted Roman practice of abandoning newborn babies if they had a disability or were female, leaving them in the streets to die. The early church responded by rescuing these infants, bringing them into their own families, and raising them as their own.
The early historian described Christians as helping their offenders, doing good to enemies, being kind and sincere, loving one another, protecting orphans, and not despising widows. They also gave to those in need without grumbling, invited strangers into their homes, and supported those persecuted for their faith.
The four practical steps are: 1) Choose to engage and acknowledge the need; 2) Engage in Foster Care and Adoption, or support those who do; 3) Partner with organizations serving the vulnerable on the frontlines; and 4) Serve in one's own community by being present and intentional.
Alternative ways to support foster families include providing resources, babysitting (which may require getting certified), mowing their lawn, and helping with household needs. The speaker emphasizes that everyone can play a supportive role even if they don't foster or adopt themselves.
The data cited states there are 140 million orphans around the world. This figure may include children who have lost one or both parents, but the core reality is that they lack a caring family unit to support their development and growth.
The speaker clarifies that our efforts do not earn our faith; rather, we put forth effort from our faith. Christians pursue the broken in the world because Jesus first pursued them, giving them a new identity. This work is not a means to earn something from God but is a response to the gospel.
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Essay Questions
Construct detailed essay responses to the following prompts, synthesizing themes and arguments from the source text.
Analyze the progression from "Tenacious Love" to "Aggressive Love" to "Valiant Love." How does this model challenge a follower of Jesus to look beyond their immediate circle of relationships?
Using the quote from the "early historian" and the example of the church's response to "exposition," explain how the early church's legacy of caring for the vulnerable puts "flesh on faith."
Discuss the four practical methods for engagement ("Choose," "Foster Care and Adoption," "Partner," and "Serve"). How do the personal stories of the Barney family and Coach Calm illustrate the principle of serving within one's own community?
Explore the tension presented in Isaiah chapter one between religious rituals ("trampling of my courts," "vain offerings") and true obedience ("seek justice," "correct oppression"). How does this passage challenge modern-day church attendees?
Explain the statement: "By us bringing the Father... to the fatherless, we experience the depth of knowing the Father even more." How does the sermon connect the act of serving the vulnerable directly to a believer's personal relationship with God?
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Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition
Aggressive Love
The second of three types of love; described as assertive, bold, and energetic love that pushes beyond one's home to others in the workplace, schools, and neighborhoods.
Exposition
An accepted practice in the Roman Empire where newborn babies with disabilities, or those who were female, were put out in the streets to die.
Fatherless, The
A term used alongside "orphans" and "the vulnerable" to describe individuals, particularly children, who lack a father figure and the support of a complete family unit.
Foster Care and Adoption
Formal systems for caring for children who cannot be with their biological families. The sermon presents these as direct ways to engage but notes that all believers can support those who undertake this, rather than everyone being required to do it.
Orphans
Children who have lost one or both parents and lack a caring family unit. The sermon cites a global figure of 140 million orphans.
Propitiation
A term used to describe Jesus as the payment for sins, as referenced from 1 John 4:10.
Pure and Undefiled Religion
A concept from James 1:27, defined as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction and keeping oneself unstained from the world.
Tenacious Love
The first and innermost of three types of love; described as the love for those closest, such as a spouse, children, and immediate family, characterized by a commitment to stand with them through all circumstances.
Valiant Love
The third and outermost of three types of love; described as boldly courageous, brave, and heroic love for the broken world that extends "to the ends of the earth." This love reflects God's justice and righteousness.
Vulnerable, The
A broad term used to describe those who are most broken, afflicted, destitute, weak, and needy, whom God commands his followers to protect and serve.
