- The liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt is one of the most important events in their history. Give examples of God’s compassion in this story of the Exodus? This provides an insight into God’s character. Can we learn to feel the same sense of compassion for those who are suffering?
- Instead of using weapons of war for political purposes and using religion as a justification for the use of violence, the Bible tells believers to trust in God and not in their weapons. Are these promises of God’s protection relevant for you today?
- According to the Bible, God uses war as a means for exercising his judgment against evil nations. Can you reconcile how a “God of peace” uses force to achieve his purposes in history?
- God clearly hates violence, especially against innocent and vulnerable people, but he does use force against evil powers. Do you see a difference between force and violence?
- The Bible teaches that rulers and government officials are agents of justice and their job is to prevent violence, corruption, and abuse in their sphere of influence. Can we hold our leaders to this standard? Can we make the case that these leaders are accountable to God’s laws and that their efforts to protect their own self-interests are evil and must be resisted?