Starter: (in pairs)
Share an experience of being in a strange environment – eg on a foreign holiday.
Worship:
Perhaps use Genesis 1:1-2:4 to recall God's creation of the whole universe and praise Him.
Reflection: In threes discuss these facts and consider what you find surprising and why.
1. The overwhelming majority of the world's refugees are in its least developed countries.
Africa hosts 27.5% of the world's refugees and Europe 17.4%.
2. Compared to the UK's 1.3%, Tanzania hosts 6.0% of the world's refugees.
The equivalent figure for Germany is 7.7%
3. A Home Office report published this year shows that people born outside the UK,
including asylum seekers, contribute 10% more to the economy in taxes and national insurance,
than they consume in benefits and public services – equivalent to a boost to the economy of
£2.6 billion in 1998/99.
4. The UK is just one of 139 states to have signed up to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.
Sources: UN High Commission for Refugees and Home Office.
Bible Reflection: Continue in your threes, and consider the following:
1. Look back at the time referred to when the Jews were in Egypt. How were they treated?
2. How did God redeem them from Egypt?
3. In what practical ways might they be called to show their love for the foreigner?
4. Through Christ God has redeemed us and called us to love all people as we love ourselves.
What NT passages might give us guidance on our treatment of foreigners?
The following passage might help as a starting point:
Exodus 1:1-22; 3:1-4:17; Lev 19:9-10;
Malachi 3:5; Hebrews 13:2; Luke 10:25-37.
Group focus (As a whole group discuss:
)
1. Are we as Christians called to have a different attitude towards asylum seekers
than others in our nation?
How would you define that attitude?
2. What could be the role of the church if asylum seekers are housed on our doorstep?
3. What are we as a group prepared to do practically to fulfil our calling in this issue?
Prayer Time
Pray for those in the church who are already speaking out for, and acting to help,
asylum seekers in this nation.
Pray that we may have the courage to stand up for Biblical attitudes in this issue.
