FREEDOM WEEKEND

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FREEDOM WEEKEND September 24 & 25

This sermon study is designed to be used the week after the sermon it supplements. Before using the study in your group, it might be helpful to work through the questions on your own. The purpose of this guide is merely to help facilitate discussion, so don’t feel pressure to visit every question.

SERIES OVERVIEW Right now, there are still more than 45 million people who are being bought, sold, and used against their will. International Justice Mission is the largest anti-slavery organization in the world, fighting to liberate people who are trapped in slavery domestically and internationally. On September 24 and 25, our church is joining thousands of Christians around the country to partner with IJM for Freedom Weekend, where we’ll come together on one day to end slavery for good. It may seem like an impossible dream, but we believe if the body of Christ comes together, supporting the efforts and expertise of IJM, we can see human slavery, in all its forms, brought to an end.

MAIN TEXT Psalm 82:3-4

GETTING STARTED What’s your favorite fall activity? Why is it your favorite?

DIGGING DEEPER 1. How aware of modern day slavery and human trafficking were you before this sermon? Are you more concerned about this issue after hearing the startling facts Aaron presented? 2. Does becoming aware of the injustice of human trafficking in our world overwhelm you or does it move you to action? Why?

3. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world…” and assures us that He sees all that goes on in it and loves every single person. Does your view of the world need to get bigger? What limits your perspective as it pertains to human suffering? 4. Aaron shared that there are over 45 million people in slavery in 167 countries, and one in every four are children. How can we see beyond these numbers— to see people that God loves? What responsibility do you have to the weak and needy? (Ecclesiastes 4:1) 5. We all have hardships and difficulties in life, but at what point does something become an injustice? What is God’s plan to deal with injustice? 6. What is the difference between justice and injustice? How have you seen both of these in the world and in your city? Should the churches’ response be any different from the political or social response? (Isaiah 1:17, 61:8; Psalm 10:17-18) 7. Read Matthew 5:14, 16. How can you be the visible representation of Jesus Christ in the world today? (2 Corinthians 5:20) 8. When faced with the epidemic of human trafficking, how can you shift from looking at your personal inadequacies and limitations to focusing upon a God who is more than adequate and has no limits?

NEXT STEPS We can do more to make an impact for Jesus with one another than we can by ourselves. Make it part of your daily prayer, as an individual and as a group, to not be overwhelmed by the need. Pray to God for unity. He can take what you do together and make it more than enough.