Introduction: Many may believe that the Bible is pro-slavery, so they struggle to believe in a God who is pro-slavery. But if you look carefully at the entirety of Scripture, you will find that God created each person who is equally loved and equally valued by a crucified Christ. 1. What Does the Bible Say About Slavery? “If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters. Let them live among you in any town they choose, and do not oppress them.” Deuteronomy 23:15-16 NLT “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 NLT “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free…” 1 Corinthians 12:13 NLT   2. What Does the Bible Say About Race, Racism and Racial Injustice? “From one man (from one blood) He (God) created all the nations throughout the whole earth.” Acts 17:26 NLT “Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.” Acts 13:1 NLT   3. What Does That Mean for Us and for Our Calling as a Church? “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9 NLT   Weekly Questions: 1. If you were to compile your own version of the Bible, what topics or stories would you leave out and why? 2. What is God’s perspective of the status of humans relative to one another when it comes to race/ethnicity or social status? 3. How much do you embrace the value of others in your life? 4. Where do you need God’s help to accept and love those who differ from you?

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