BibleProject | God's Heart for JusticeSample

Day 4: Justice and Exile

If followers of Jesus are to give their total allegiance to God’s Kingdom, how should they relate to the governments and power structures of their own day?

In 1 Peter, Peter uses the language of “strangers and exiles” to describe followers of Jesus who are now estranged from the values and customs of the culture in which they were formerly at home. When people pursue justice and follow the upside-down way of Jesus’ Kingdom, they will inevitably experience tension with the culture around them.

Following Jesus in the 21st century means learning the way of exile. In this video, we’ll see how the experience of Daniel and his friends in Babylonian exile offers wisdom for navigating this tension.

After watching the video, reflect on these questions:
1. Identify one specific tension or complex situation in which you experienced “exile.”
2. How does Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves impact how you pursue justice in that tense situation or experience?
3. Spend some time reflecting on what it looks like for you to pursue justice as you navigate the tensions of living in “exile.” What’s one practical step you can take this week?