3_13_3-3 Refining

The Mercy of Refinement

and the refinement of justice.

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Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Genesis 4:5

but why?

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In what ways was God working to refine Cain?

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Refined as by fire

It can be hard to be open to "something purer" when getting to that purity requires a refiner's fire type process. Like anyone who has decided it is easier to just eat junk food than say no to it, we struggle even when we know that something better might lie beyond the challenge.

• Where have you seen this happen in the lives of people around you? (Please try to be kind as you make these observations!)
• Where have you seen people confuse the challenge of correction with punishment or consequence?

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Refinements outcomes

"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."

• The metaphors of gold, white clothes, and salve are used here. What might they be symbolizing?
• If we're leaving behind justice-based systems and moving toward mercy-based systems, what meaning is added to these symbols?

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Punishment is retribution; refining is transformation.

discuss

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justice

How might finding refinement instead of punishment change the way you treat other people?Or the way you talk about “justice”?

refinement

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Thank You

You can move on to the next portion of the Spotlight.