Training - Immigration & Politics

Teaching Notes

Part 1

• Traditional American perspective on immigrants
  • Drain on resources -and- take advantage of opportunities
  • Take American’s jobs
  • “Criminals”
• Biblical Framework
  • Biblically, how are we to view the immigrant? (Discuss passages that talk about the immigrant)
    • (include these as well as others brought up)
    • Deut 10:12-22
      • God formed Israel and took them through the exile into Egypt and out to soften their hearts toward the alien/immigrant
    • Matt 25:31-46
      • To be clear, this passage is talking about taking care of believers BUT do you know how many believers are in the immigrant community?
  • What does the Bible say about citizenship? or Alliance?
    • Philippians 3:20
    • 1 Peter 1:17
  • God’s heart has always been for the immigrant -why-
    • Immigrant most often are without resources
      • Without friends, family, support structure
      • Economically without
    • Immigrants are often exploited and taken advantage of
  • If this is God’s heart, then how are we to respond?
    • Reading packet as well as reading Ruth will help to soften our hearts toward the immigrant
    • Rule of Law argument (directed at Court) will be discussed in the next discussion

Part 2

• Romans 13 & the Rule of Law
  • What does Romans 13:1-7 say?
    • Why does this apply to immigration? What is the difference between legal and illegal immigrants?
    • If we were to view this passage with “tunnel vision” then what would it be advocating for illegal immigrants?
    • Why can we not view this passage with “tunnel vision”, in light of our discussion last time?
  • Is there any law prohibiting ministering to illegal immigrants?
    • [Answer] No, not really.
  • Just vs Unjust laws
    • Will learn from MLK, Jr about this concept in depth in our reading soon…
    • An unjust law could have these characteristics:
      • Arbitrarily (Uneven, random and/or selectively) enforced
      • Not aligned with God’s heart and His values
    • What should our response be?
      • Advocate to reform immigration laws in USA
• Watch TRBE film “Citizen” 
  • Discuss what it means to be an “enemy” of the US
    • What are the implications for us to be associating with enemies?
    • What does the Bible have to say about it?
  • Have a discussion about the gospel’s potential in the lives of immigrants and refugees
    • Could some of these refugees that the conservative world classifies as our “enemies” be our future brothers or sisters in Christ?

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Homework

READING PACKET 4
Read the book of Ruth twice