God & Governance

Biblical Justice in Action: Moving from Conviction to Community Impact
This session challenges us to move beyond theoretical discussions of biblical justice into practical, tangible action. At the heart of the message is Genesis 1:27—the truth that every human being is created in God's image, which forms the foundation for how we treat others. We're introduced to a powerful framework for engaging in justice work: relief (direct aid like food and shelter), development (moving people toward self-sufficiency through education and mentorship), and social reform (changing the systems and policies that create dependency). What makes this particularly compelling is the recognition that biblical justice isn't just about grand national movements—it's profoundly local. The food pantry across the wall, the foster child in our community, the grieving neighbor who needs someone to sit with them—these are the frontlines of kingdom work. We're reminded of Zechariah's call to care for widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor, and challenged to contextualize these categories for today: foster children, trafficking victims, single parents, the homeless, the mentally ill, immigrants. The session invites us to audit our own involvement across different levels—local, regional, national, international—and prayerfully consider where God is calling us to invest our time, energy, and resources. The truth is, we can't do everything, but we can do something, and together our collective action creates the shalom God desires for our communities.

Questions to answer:
Where am I already involved in biblical justice?
Which box is empty or very light for me right now?

Part 3 – One Concrete Action This Week (Practice, 15–30 minutes)
Choose one actionable step you will take this week that:
 - Increases shalom,
 - Connects to one of the four “least of these” categories (orphan/foster child, widow/single parent, poor, foreigner/immigrant), and
 - Fits one of the three levels (relief, development, or social reform).
Examples (pick one or create your own):
Relief (Local):
     Buy and fill a food pantry bag and bring it to church.
     Take a meal or gift card to a single parent, widow, or someone grieving.
     Visit or call someone who is hurting and simply be present.
Development (Local/Regional):
     Contact Pregnancy Hope Center, Gospel Mission, IYS, or another local ministry and ask, “What’s one small way I could help?”
     Offer to tutor, mentor, or help someone with budgeting or job skills.
     Sign up to explore foster care or to support a foster family (meals, rides, respite, etc.).
Social Reform (Local/State/National):
     Attend (or watch online) a city council or county meeting to listen and learn what issues are actually being discussed.
     Spend 30 minutes researching one policy area you care about (e.g., foster care system, homelessness, immigration) from at least two different perspectives, taking notes on facts vs. opinions.
Write down:
     What action you chose,
     When you will do it (day/time),
     Who else, if anyone, you’ll involve.

Biblical Justice: Understanding God's Heart for the Vulnerable
This powerful teaching invites us into a transformative exploration of biblical justice—not as mere punishment for wrongdoing, but as righteousness in action. Drawing from Genesis through the prophets and into the teachings of Jesus, we discover that justice means making things right, creating shalom where everything is as it ought to be. The session walks us through Scripture's consistent call to protect four vulnerable groups: orphans, widows, the poor, and resident foreigners. These aren't exhaustive categories but representative of all who cannot speak for themselves or protect themselves. We're challenged to see beyond literal definitions—orphans include foster children and trafficking victims, widows encompass single parents and divorcees, the poor extend to those struggling with addiction and mental illness, and foreigners remind us that every human deserves dignity regardless of documentation status. The heart-piercing truth emerges: we are called to speak for the voiceless, stand for the powerless, and treat every person with the dignity befitting God's image. This isn't about political affiliation but about Christ-like compassion. As we navigate our complex world, we're equipped with practical tools to evaluate information, engage in difficult conversations without destroying relationships, and practice our Christian civic responsibilities with wisdom and grace.

Re-read the key passages on justice
Spend time slowly reading and praying through:

• Genesis 1:27
• Luke 6:31
• Proverbs 31:8–9
• Zechariah 7:9–10
• Isaiah 59:14–15
• Psalm 146:7–9
• Luke 14:12–14
• Matthew 25:31–40

As you read, ask:

• What does this passage show me about God’s heart for justice?
• Which group(s) does it highlight (orphan, widow, foreigner, poor, “least of these”)?
• Is there anyone in my actual life who fits one of these descriptions?

Identify real people, not just categories, for each of the four key groups (orphan, widow, poor, resident foreigner), write down:

• At least one person you know (or one local context you’re aware of—e.g., foster kids, a single parent, someone food-insecure, an immigrant family).
• One concrete way you could move toward justice/shalom in their life (prayer, encouragement, help with a need, connecting them to resources like the Gospel Mission, etc.).

You don’t have to do all of it this week—but do the thinking. Ask God, “Who are you putting in front of me?”

Practice the tools in one conversation
Sometime this week, intentionally use at least one tool:

• Clarify: “Are we talking about facts, opinions, or feelings right now?”
• Or mentally place an issue into Box 1, 2, or 3 to gauge how certain you should be.
• Or ask yourself: Is this a Die, Divide, Debate, or Decide issue?
• Make a quick note afterward of how it affected the tone and outcome of the conversation.

Optional reading recommendation
If you’d like to go even further, Pastor John mentioned:
Generous Justice by Timothy Keller – an excellent exploration of biblical justice, shalom, and God’s heart for the vulnerable.
Consider picking up a copy or skimming a summary/review if you’re not ready for the whole book.

Faith and Politics: Navigating Christian Identity in American Civic Life
This teaching session explores the intersection of faith and politics, addressing how Christians can engage in civic discourse while maintaining unity in Christ. The pastors establish frameworks for communication and debate, distinguishing between issues worth dying for, dividing over, debating about, or simply deciding on. They challenge binary thinking that divides people into "us versus them" categories and examine controversial concepts like patriotism versus nationalism. The session emphasizes that Christians' primary identity is in Christ, transcending political affiliations, and warns against over-realized eschatology that attempts to force prophetic fulfillment through political action. The teaching encourages believers to communicate with clarity, define terms carefully, and resist the cultural pressure to choose political tribes over Christian unity.

Defining Roles and Responsibilities at the Intersection of Faith and Politics
What does it truly mean to live as faithful Christians in a nation that was never intended to be a Christian theocracy? This session challenges us to examine the intersection of our faith and civic responsibilities with fresh eyes. We discover that America's founding fathers deliberately created a separation between church and state—not to diminish faith, but to protect both religious liberty and governmental integrity. The First Amendment wasn't designed to silence believers but to prevent the corruption that historically occurs when religious institutions and political power become entangled. We're reminded of the Johnson Amendment, which protects churches from becoming political pawns, ensuring that pulpits remain focused on the gospel rather than endorsing candidates for financial gain. The session calls us back to our primary biblical mandate found in 1 Timothy 2:1-2—to pray for those in authority over us. This isn't optional or occasional; it's a foundational responsibility. We're challenged to move beyond complaining about leaders to actually interceding for them by name, from the president to local commissioners. Beyond prayer, we're encouraged to vote thoughtfully, communicate with elected officials, and speak against immorality—but with crucial discernment. The example of John the Baptist confronting Herod reminds us that prophetic witness sometimes comes at great cost, yet Jesus himself didn't always confront political leaders directly. This calls us to prayerful discernment about when and how to engage, always maintaining consistency in our moral standards regardless of political affiliation.

At the heart of this transformative teaching lies a profound challenge: learning to navigate the turbulent waters of political and social disagreement without sacrificing the unity Christ calls us to embody. We're invited into a sacred space where difficult conversations become opportunities for spiritual growth rather than relationship destruction. The foundation rests on Colossians 3:1-17, which calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—the very qualities we desperately need when discussing controversial topics. What makes this approach revolutionary is the recognition that our opinions about earthly governance need not be inseparably tied to our relationship with Jesus Christ. We're challenged to develop three critical frameworks: understanding what Scripture says directly, discerning how to apply biblical principles to modern situations, and navigating areas where the Bible remains silent. The fruit of the Spirit from Galatians becomes our conduct standard—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We're reminded that reconciliation often requires walking through difficult conversations rather than avoiding them, and that God works in ways beyond anything we can imagine. The ultimate goal isn't to prove ourselves right or others wrong, but to seek first to understand, then to be understood, always remembering that loving God and loving people remains our primary calling above all political positions.