November 13th Meeting - justice & unity

November 13th Racial Justice Small Group Meeting

- Greeting & New people: Ice Breaker – favorite song
- Thank you! Serving during the Urban Family Fest
- Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 31:8-9
  - 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
  - 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- Our Survey Results
- Discussion: What is CRT?

My experience on DA Citizen Academy –
- Local District Attorneys over 50k cases a year. Guess how many are taken to trial…
- More people in Jail for Child Support than anything else.
- Issues with Bail System.

Current Trial:
- Ahmaud Arbery killing trial
- Events / Timeline: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-timeline-case-jury-selection-begins-murder-tria-rcna3032

Citizens Arrest:
- Defense attorneys contend their clients were trying to conduct a lawful citizen’s arrest of Arbery, whom they suspected of burglary after they and several neighbors became concerned about people entering English’s under-construction home. The defense contends Travis McMichael shot Arbery in self-defense as Arbery and Travis McMichael wrestled over Travis’ shotgun.
- The confrontation came minutes after a neighbor called police to say Arbery was at English’s property that afternoon. Gregory McMichael, investigators testified, said he initiated the pursuit after seeing Arbery speedily run by McMichael’s home, and that he believed Arbery matched the description of someone who’d been recorded at the construction site before.

Repeal of 1863 Citizens Arrest Law

Defense Attorney Statements:

JUSTICE
The Bible Project

We all want to grow, but growth is uncomfortable. It often challenges us to move out of our comfort zone. It requires something of us. Sometimes growth means looking at things from a different perspective or seeking to understand what it looks like to reflect the heart of our heavenly Father. Growth requires curiosity, humility, teachability, and intentionality. Let’s take a look at the biblical idea of justice and see where there’s room to grow!

Watch this video and then discuss the questions below.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/justice/ (about 5 minutes)

Discussion Questions

What comes to mind when you think of justice?
Read Proverbs 31:8–9, Jeremiah 22:3, and Psalm 146:7–9. What do these verses tell us about the action part of justice and righteousness?

From the video, the Hebrew definition for righteousness is: an ethical standard of right relationships between people, treating others as creations made in the image of God. The Hebrew definition of justice is: seeking out the vulnerable and taking action, advocating for the vulnerable. When you hear these definitions what stands out to you?

One of the descriptions of the term wicked in Hebrew has to do with ignoring the dignity of a person who is made in the image of God. What does this look like practically today?

The video challenges that we all, at some level (actively, passively, or unintentionally), participate in injustice. Do you agree? Why or why not?

The action step of justice is not easy. It requires us to share the burdens of others and see their problems as our problems. The prophet Micah says it this way: To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). Think of someone you know who does this. What are some actions you could take today to move in this direction?

Prayer