Love Your Enslaved Neighbor

“God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them” (Exodus 2:25)

1.God’s Heart to Set Captives Free

From Visible Slavery

“The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God” (Exodus 2:23)

From Invisible Slavery

“You are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Romans 6:16)

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

1.What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2.What has been your exposure to modern day slavery? When did you first learn that this was happening around the world? What was your response?

3.God created man in His own image (Gen 1:26-28), but sin entered into the human race and has stained every aspect of our humanity, including the original design of man having dominion over the rest of creation but not other people. What are other places in the Bible or in other points in history where this sad perversion of God’s design has been on display? How did God intervene? (Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 44:28)

4.Modern day slavery is an atrocious crime against humanity, yet there are over 44 million enslaved today. What do you think keeps people from participating in God’s plan of deliverance? In what ways can you identify with Moses when he voiced his hesitations in Exodus 4 (particularly vs 13) when God asked him to participate in freeing the enslaved Hebrews?

5.Acts 16:16-40 captures Paul and Silas’ experience with - and consequences from - their participation with God in rescuing a girl being exploited by her masters. It took Paul “many days” to act, which means he wasn’t quite sure what to do. How can this be an encouragement to us as we think about our own response to modern day slavery?

6.The Bible makes it clear that those who do not believe in Jesus are actually slaves to sin, and their bondage will lead them to eternity apart from God. (Rom 6:20-21, Eph 2:1-3, Col 1:13) How can this depiction of one’s spiritual nature apart from God motivate us to share our faith with others?

7.Take some time to look at International Justice Mission’s website. What are some of the ways they suggest you can become more informed on what is happening around the world? Take some time to pray for those currently in bondage - that God would rescue them and they would experience His strength and justice.

8.What’s one way you can apply this passage this week?