Pursuing racial justice doesn't get us into the Kingdom, but it demonstrates that the Kingdom is in us.

Sermon Notes, Resources, Discussion Qs

To act justly is to do what is right in God’s eyes.

Isaiah 1:17 - “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

The ARC of Justice
Awareness

Relationships

Commitment

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Resources (Awareness)

Video
The book (and movie) Just Mercy provides an excellent, sobering example of what so many people of color have experienced. Parents should watch it first before deciding if their younger children should watch it.

The short videos produced by Phil Vischer (former Veggie Tales guy) are fantastic. Start here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUwcs9qJXY

Books to get you started:
o Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race. Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us by Benjamin Watson
o Woke Church by Eric Mason (lots of solid Biblical teaching)
o Let Justice Roll Down by Dr. John Perkins (named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty books that have shaped evangelicals).
o Be the Bridge by LaTasha Morrison
o How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby (very practical)
o One Blood by Dr. John Perkins

Books that are good but a little more challenging for different reasons:
o Intensional: Kingdom Ethnicity in a Divided World by DA Horton
o The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby
o Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity by Edward Gilbreath.
o Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church by Mark DeYmaz (especially helpful for church leaders – HP leaders read it a few years ago).
o A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki (helpful for those who’ve never considered the plight of minority groups in America – not from a Christian worldview).
o Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stoe. (It changed the hearts of millions. It might change yours too.)

Social Media
Whom you follow on social media will often frame the way you see issues. I think it’s way more influential than we probably realize. I'd encourage you to follow Benjamin Watson, Rich Villodas, Jemar Tisby, Austin Channing Brown, Sean Palmer, Lecrae, Matthew Soerens, Jenny Yang, Justin Gibbony, Latasha Morrison, and Carlos Whittaker.

Podcasts
o Footnotes, Jemar Tisby
o Jude 3 Project (theology podcast led by Lisa Fields)
o The New Activist Podcast (by International Justice Mission) has excellent guests and topics related to justice issues.
o Tony Evans
o The Church Politics Podcast helps Christians see political issues through the eyes of Christ.
o Be The Bridge, Latasha Morrison

Discussion Questions
When did I start becoming aware of and learning about matters of race?

Have I had a negative experience associated with my racial identity or has my family or a friend? What was it?

Why is pursuing racial justice important?

How have you grown in your compassion towards others?

(For those wanting to dig deeper)
How might the ARC template work in the following areas (pick a few):
-Orphan/Foster Care
-Caring for widows
-Race
-Poverty
-Immigration
-Crisis Pregnancies
-Grief
-Mental Health Illness

How do we see the ARC being demonstrated in:
-John 4
-Zacchaeus
-Peter, Cornelius, and the Jerusalem Council