God is a Judge

Opening Question: Have you ever broken any laws (even “minor” ones)? If so, what did you do wrong, and what was the judgment against you?

Look at the following verses from the Bible about God, the Judge:

God will judge the world in keeping with what is right. He will rule over all of its people fairly. - Psalm 9:8

The godly will get their reward. There really is a God who judges the earth. - Psalm 58:11

God will judge everything people do. That includes everything they try to hide. He'll judge everything, whether it's good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12:14

The Father does not judge anyone. He has given the Son the task of judging. - John 5:22

He has set a day when He will judge the world fairly. He has appointed a Man to be its judge. God has proved this to all people by raising that Man from the dead. - Acts 17:31

People will be judged on the day God appoints Jesus Christ to judge their secret thoughts. That's part of my good news. - Romans 2:16

We must all stand in front of Christ to be judged. - 2 Corinthians 5:10

People have to die once. After that, God will judge them. - Hebrews 9:27

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge. He is the One who is able to save life or destroy it. But who are you to judge your neighbor? - James 4:12


Discuss the following questions:
1. How do we address judges, and why?
2. How would you describe the job of a judge?
3. What would the world be like without judges?
4. Are you afraid of God’s judgment of you? Why or why not?
5. Is there a way to escape God’s perfect judgment against us?
6. What does the last sentence in James 4:12 mean to us today?