Slavery and Scripture - Teacher (Standard) (print)

Teens (ages 13-17) · Exodus 21:1-11; Philemon; 1 Timothy 1:8-11 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that biblical slavery texts span different institutions and trajectories and must not be used to sanitise modern racial chattel slavery.

Read: Exodus 21:1-11; Philemon; 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Opening: Ask one observation question before explaining the lesson.

Say:

The selected passage supplies the principal textual evidence for Slavery and Scripture.
Biblical slavery texts span different institutions and trajectories and must not be used to sanitise modern racial chattel slavery.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires interpretation or synthesis?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete Slavery and Scripture Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; Slavery and Scripture Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Exodus 21:1-11; Philemon; 1 Timothy 1:8-11 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: Slavery and Scripture Claim Audit. Printable: T4-L11-P01-slavery-and-scripture-claim-audit.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Activity details

Slavery and Scripture Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read the selected text in Exodus 21:1-11; Philemon; 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
Record two direct observations from the passage.
Test the lesson big idea: Biblical slavery texts span different institutions and trajectories and must not be used to sanitise modern racial chattel slavery.
Name one conclusion that would go beyond the evidence and should therefore be avoided.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Exodus 21:1-11; Philemon; 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage shows and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Biblical slavery texts span different institutions and trajectories and must not be used to sanitise modern racial chattel slavery.