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Bible Studies
Be inspired … by the potential of the Gospel
These Bible study materials will help you understand more about the relevance of Biblical principles to the political process, and how a Christian perspective of society brings new insights.
You can use these studies as sermon outlines, for small group study, or for your personal devotions.
The material can be downloaded as a pdf (80kb).
Overall theme - Society as God intended
The elections in May 2007 for the Scottish Parliament and for Local Councils are a fundamental part of our democratic society. Each of us has the opportunity to cast our votes for the candidates of our choice and thus influence the nature of the Government of the country.
It is, therefore, an appropriate time to consider the extent to which Christians should be involved in the political process and in setting the agenda for Government. Democracy allows all sections of the population to express their views. It poses a particular challenge for Christians who believe that good government is part of God’s purpose for the world
Politics has been defined as the ‘art of living together in community’ and the Bible contains teaching about what it means to be God’s people living in God’s world.
The following material focuses on five Biblical passages which contribute to our understanding of society and of our duty as Christian citizens within it. Each one could be used either as a sermon outline or as an introduction to a small group Bible Study. Some questions for group discussion are also provided.
CARE for Scotland urges pastors and churches to use this material as the basis of a preaching and/or study programme in 5 or 6 weeks before the elections on May 3rd 2007.
Theme 1 - The Original Blueprint
The opening chapters of Genesis set out God’s purpose for His creation and for those who inhabit it. God’s ‘creation mandate’ clearly demands that we get involved with the world around us.
Human beings, male and female, are created ‘in the image of God’ (chap 1 vs26—27). We represent the pinnacle of God’s creation. It is not our size that determines our status – actually we are quite insignificant - but our relationship with God. As humans, we are all significant to God, no matter what value society places on us. Human dignity is given to us by God – regardless of age, health or aptitude.
Men and women are also created to be God’s representatives, His stewards over His creation. He gives us the role of dominion that is, in the first place, His own. God’s creation is ordered and we are placed at the head of that order, as His stewards.
Even before the world became disfigured by sin and selfishness, government and order were important parts of God’s world. The universe, including mankind, as originally created, was intrinsically good and not ethically neutral. Even after the Fall and the entry of sin into the world, creation is good, even though marred, and should be respected and cared for.
The original blueprint, therefore, provides a standard to aim for, even if we cannot attain it fully. The key elements of life for human beings as God intended it include
- purposeful work v15
- care of the environment, v15
- beauty and creativity, v9 and v19
- freedom within boundaries, v16-17
- companionship, marriage, and family, v18, v21-24
- respect for one another, v25
- and, most importantly, personal communion with God, see chap 3 v8.
We should strive to achieve for ourselves and others something of what God intended at the beginning. These principles should also inform the work of those who legislate for the life of society.
For discussion
A - What are the implications for Government that human beings are ‘made in the image of God’, chap 1 v26?
B - What duty does Government have for the environment and what measures should now be taken to protect it?
C - To what extent should Government be involved in ensuring that all its citizens have access to work?
D - What sort of boundaries should Government set for society?
E - How can Government promote marriage and family life?
F - What is the role of Government in protecting religious freedom?
Theme 2 - A Nation Decides
1 Kings chapter 18 v16-39
This passage describes one of the most dramatic moments in Israel’s history. Like election time, it was a moment of decision. At a time of national confusion and uncertainty, the prophet Elijah challenges the people to face up to the fundamental question of whom they ought to worship. He saw that the social and economic problems of the country had essentially spiritual roots. He calls the people to return to the spiritual sources of the life of the nation.
Baal worship had become the order of the day. It was essentially the worship of the productive forces of Nature and promoted a good time for everyone without restraint. The worship of God, by contrast, was the historical legacy of the nation. It demanded devotion and discipline, and promised security and fulfilment.
As the story unfolds, the trial by fire on Mount Carmel involved
- a defining moment, v19
- a penetrating question, v21 – ‘How long will you waver between two opinions?’
- an awkward silence, v21
- an empty lifestyle, v26
- a miraculous intervention, v38
- a wholehearted confession, v39 – ‘The Lord, He is God!’
Christians recognise that God has intervened in the history of our planet through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel we are challenged to make Jesus Christ the absolute Lord of our lives.
In a country like Scotland, it is impossible to separate our national life and institutions from our Christian history. The challenge is the extent to which the spiritual roots of our nation should direct its public policy in the 21st century.
For discussion
A - In what ways does Baal worship resemble the materialistic and secular culture of our times?
B - To what extent should our Christian history and faith influence the policies of the Government of our nation?
C - In what ways might we expect God to intervene in the life of our nation today?
D - How can we encourage our politicians to have regard to the Christian traditions of our country?
Theme 3 - Salt and Light
Matthew chapter 5 v13-16
This passage is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount – a kind of Christian manifesto for our lives. In it He describes what it means to live in the Kingdom of God, proclaiming His attitude towards the Law and explaining the importance of faithful obedience from the heart. He does not overturn the Law, but clarifies it and rejects the various theological distortions of it. Nor does he attempt to legislate for the State. However, his teaching can potentially touch every area of our society through the life and witness of His disciples. Jesus teaches that being part of the Kingdom of God should have a huge impact on every aspect of our lives, in work and leisure, as well as in evangelism.
Clearly, we are not all called to take this into the political realm, but as the Body of Christ we should be involved in all areas of today’s society. This may include active participation in our communities.
Looking across the Sermon on the Mount as a whole, we see that the values Jesus proclaimed, if put into practice, will
- transform our character, chap 5 vs 3-10
- extend our influence, chap 5 vs 13-16
- translate into righteousness, chap 5 vs 17-48
- deepen our devotion, chap 6 vs 1-18
- alter our ambitions, chap 6 vs 19-34
- renew our relationships, chap 7 vs 1-12
- demand our wholeheartedness, chap 7 vs13-27.
A small pinch of salt diffuses flavour throughout the whole meal. Salt penetrates, cleanses and preserves. Without salt as part of our diet we cannot survive physically – it is vital. Everything is insipid without it. The same goes for Christians in the world. With the Holy Spirit within us we are made spiritually salty, and the people of Scotland need this ‘salt’ to make sense of the world around them.
Light illuminates and reveals. Without the physical light of the sun we cannot live. Nothing grows, nothing flourishes and nothing survives without light. Jesus is the Light of the World. With His Spirit within us, we too become light in the world.
For discussion
A - In what ways can Christians be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ into the political sphere?
B - In what other ways can Christians be ‘salt and light’ in the world?
C - To what extent is it reasonable to expect Government to promote the principles of the Sermon on the Mount?
Theme 4 - A Mandate for Government
Romans chapter 13 vs 1-7
Acts 16 vs 35-40
The first Christians lived in the world of the Roman Empire - a very different position from being part of a democratic society like ours. Yet, in this chapter, Paul urges submission to the authority of Government. In so doing, he identifies Government as one of the necessary foundations of human society as ordained by God. The others are, of course, the family and the church.
He also outlines the God-given mandate for Government, three times describing it as ‘God’s servant (the Greek word is actually the same as used elsewhere in the New Testament for ‘minister’ or ‘deacon’!).
In this passage Paul shows that Government has a 3-fold responsibility, namely
- to promote good v4
- to suppress evil, v4
- to ensure the equitable distribution of resources, v7.
In, Acts chapter 16 vs35-40 Paul shows that Christians sometimes need to insist that those who govern discharge their duties properly. Interestingly, has been described as an Apostolic sit in! In effect, Paul insisted that the magistrates at Philippi recognise they had acted unjustly and beyond their authority (v37). He insists that they acknowledge this and rectify the situation as far as they were able. No doubt he had the protection of the newly formed church in mind.
And yet the Bible teaches that Christians have a higher loyalty than submission to Government. For example, when forced to act against his conscience, Peter declares that ‘we must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5 v29). However, as with the other Apostles, he was prepared to accept the consequences of his principled stand.
For discussion
A - To what extent do you think the principles of Romans 13 apply to democratic Governments today?
B - What should we do when Governments depart from their God-given mandate?
C - In what circumstances do you think Christians should actively protest about the actions of Government?
D - Can you visualise any circumstances in which Christians should defy an edict of Government and accept the consequences?
Theme 5 - Prayer is the key
1 Timothy chapter 2 vs1-8
In this passage Paul encourages Christians to develop a global dimension to their public worship. He stresses the world-wide responsibility of the church and associates this with the spread of the gospel of Christ. In this he includes our duty to pray for ‘all those in authority’, v2, as their actions have a bearing on how we live out our Christian faith. It is salutary to note that the notorious Roman Emperor Nero (AD54-68), who persecuted the Christians fiercely, was in power when Paul wrote these words.
This passage sets the need to pray for governments in the context of
- the need to pray for all groups and individuals, v1
- the love of God which reaches out to the whole world, v3
- the redeeming death of Christ which is available to everyone, v6
- the message of the gospel which is for all nations, v7.
Edmund Burke, the 18th century political thinker, once observed that all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. We need to pray specifically that men and women of strong Christian faith will be elected to the Scottish Parliament and Local Councils and that their influence will contribute to bringing about a just and compassionate society. We also need to pray that that God will help those Christians who are involved in politics to maintain their integrity.
In addition, we should pray that God will show each of us how he wants us to be involved in the political process. Voting is a significant part of that. But so also in developing local links with our elected representatives, examining the policies of their parties, and engaging with the political process.
CARE’s message for the 2007 Scottish Elections can be summarised as
- Be inspired by the possibilities!
- Be informed about the policies!
- Be involved in the politics!
For discussion
A - How can we make political activity consistent with the responsibility of Christians to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
B - Given the forthcoming elections, for what should we pray specifically?
C - What do you think is meant by ‘quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness’, v2?
D - In what settings do you think there should there be public prayer for those involved in government?
