Week Six – Justice Seeking
SUMMARY: Students will act as agents of change by identifying and responding to injustices.
GOING DEEPER
The world is not as God intended it to be. That much is clear. U2 lead singer and social activist Bono once said, “Every age has its massive moral blind spots. We might not see them, but our children will.” We are able to lead our students to see the injustices in this world—the injustices of poverty, racism, gender inequality, war, exploitation in workplaces, abuse in relationships, poor governance, etc.
But seeing these things can’t be where we stop. If we do, we leave our students discouraged and hopeless. We need to enable students to act as agents of change by BOTH identifying and responding to injustices. Together we must find the moral blind spots and bring the vision of God’s kingdom to them. The Bible is clear that justice is a central part of the shalom of God’s kingdom.
The Bible leaves no doubt that Christian lives must be lives of justice. It is the first requirement listed in answer to Micah’s question, “What does the Lord require of you?” (Micah 6:8)
God has decided to use his people (you!) to do His work in this world! What a responsibility and privilege! Christian education nurtures and disciples young people to take on this ongoing responsibility and to rejoice in the glimpses of the kingdom that they get in this task.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
Could be used for devotions or memory work.
Psalm 106:3 – Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.
Psalm 9:16 – The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
Isaiah 61:1 & 8 – The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, . . . For I, the LORD, love justice;
James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
SONGS
You can use these as part of your morning devotions or to play in the background during work.
ACTIVITIES
Ideas that you can connect to the learning that is happening or encourage in your student’s free time.
- Get involved in One Youth: Unicef
- Find ways to support persecuted Christians
- Join others in fighting abortion
- Participate in Orange Shirt Day
- Use restorative justice practices
- Collect bottles/cans for local foundations
- Teach someone about fair trade
- Join/start a school student council
- Read through and write a found poem on “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action”
- Explore certification as a referee in youth sports
- Stand up for someone you know
- Watch a social justice documentary
- Research data sites (Ex. 1, Ex. 2) to advocate for change
- Read a newspaper – pray globally, act locally
- Do the 30-hour famine
- Write letters to MP’s, city council, etc.
- Write for Rights
- Get involved in national justice issues
- Promote Pink Shirt Day
- Take a virtual tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Resolve a conflict peacefully
- Tell an adult if someone you know is being mistreated
- Manage a game for your family (teach and keep the rules)
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Digital books, devotion ideas, online resources, blog articles, etc.
Student Focused:
- What if Everybody Did That – Read Aloud (Div 1-2)
- What Does Peace Feel Like – Read Aloud (Div 1-2)
- Do Something – Music Video (Div 2-3)
- To This Day – Spoken Word Video (Div 3-4)
- I Have Some Bad Habits – Blog (Div 4)
- Justice and the Gospel – Devotion (Div 3-4)
- BibleProject: Justice – Video (Div 3-4)
- Do Hard Things – Book Promo (Div 4)
Teacher/Parent Focused:
- Samaritan’s Purse – Organization
- World Renew – Organization
- See The Story: Redemption – Article
- Justice Seeker: Good Samaritan Time – Blog
- Learning How to Forgive – Podcast
- How To Be A Justice Seeker – Blog
- The Kingdom’s Justice First! – Devotion
- A Rocha: Environmental Stewardship – Organization
- Daretocare – Organization
- What is Biblical Justice – Article
FORMATIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES (FLEX)
These are experiences that connect our learning/work to real people/problems (to go beyond our normal classroom walls). These are authentic opportunities for students to practice living the Kingdom story.
Spend time reading through/watching the news this week. Pray that God will open your eyes and ears to see the injustices in our world. Pay attention to your emotions. Is there something that makes you especially angry or sad? Identify the injustice that provoked your emotion and brainstorm ideas to pursue shalom in that area or research an organization (check the “Digital Resources” section) that is already working to fight injustices in that area. For example, if you read an article about Health Care workers that are working through Covid-19 at minimum wage, you can choose to write letters to your local MP to advocate on their behalf. Make a plan as a family and Do Something!
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS/SENTENCE STARTERS
It is said that we don’t learn from doing, but from reflecting on what we do. Give students time and space to reflect on their experiences and learning this week.
- How did you seek justice this past week? How will you continue to seek justice?
- What are some of the different types of injustices in our current culture?
- Where have you witnessed injustices?
- Why should we seek justice?
- Who did Jesus stand up for in the Bible?
- When did someone stand up for you? When did you stand up for somebody else?
