Guided Discussion: Politics And Voting

opener

What do you know about political parties and voting from school or the news?

Prompts if no response: Republicans; democrats; independents; voting for president, house of representatives, and senators.

 

Discussion Question 1:

What are some things you have noticed about the political process?

Prompts if no response: Lots of anger; none of the sides are doing what God says to do in the Bible; name-calling; childishness; lying; greed; pride and desire for power; many people who are trying to do good, too.

 

Discussion Question 2:

Why do we in the Church avoid getting involved in political parties and voting?

Prompts if no response: No party is perfect because they don’t have God’s Spirit, and we don’t support a mixture of good and evil; politics can cause fighting and division inside the Church; what is a good policy or law for one family might be terrible for another family in terms of money or security.

 

Discussion Question 3:

What do you think would happen if Jesus Christ tried to become president?

Prompts if no response: People would be mad that they have to do what is in the Bible; they would think He was too weak and compassionate to be a strong leader; they would call Him intolerant of different lifestyles.

 

Hypothetical 1:

What would you think or say if you heard this: “Christians should vote and get involved in politics so that the government will be more like what Jesus wants.”

Prompts if no response: There are thousands of different sects of Christianity, and they don’t all believe the same thing, so that confusion will be in the government; God’s Kingdom is not of this world.

 

Hypothetical 2:

What would you say if you were asked: “You are naïve or silly if you don’t vote.”

Prompts if no response: Name-calling is a reason why I don’t vote; I don’t support a mixture of good and evil; I’m an ambassador for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, not a person or nation now.

 

Closer

What are ways to get involved in our community and be lights to the world without voting?

Prompts if no response: Volunteer for groups, seek employment in helping professions, be examples.

 

Scriptures for more study or reference

John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Philippians 3:20; 1 Samuel 8:7