What does The Bible say about racism, justice and equality? From Genesis and Acts to the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, this five day Bible Study show us how to cross racial and culture barriers.
When adversity arises, where do you turn?
I know I’m quick to talk to my friends about it. And see what people are saying on social media about it.
But it’s been a personal challenge of mine to see what God says about it. To dive into scripture and see what God says about it; or even better, how Jesus walked through these challenges when he was on earth.
So as a Minneapolis resident navigating the tragic George Floyd murder, racism and white privilege, I reached out to my friend Carly at Six Notes Clothing.
Carly has helped me navigate reading The Bible. If you remember, I teamed up with Carly back in 2018 to share this Easter Bible Study.
I asked Carly to point me in the direction of Bible verses on racism and justice. As a result, this five day Bible Study on racism, justice and equality was born.
I can’t take any of the credit for this Bible Study. Carly designed this five day study and I simply want to re-share it.
I want to share this study because while so many people are sharing great books and resources on racism right now I feel that what The Bible says has been left out. And as Carly beautifully stated, “I know that as believers, we are called to speak against racism and to stand for justice and reconciliation. This is why you turn to God’s Word, to find out what our Heavenly Father and our Savior say so we can do our best to model that.”
5 Day Bible Study: What The Bible Teaches Us On Racism
First, let’s clarify Jesus wasn’t white. If Jesus was racist, the message of the Gospel would have stayed in Jerusalem and we’d be living in darkness.
Second, racism existed in The Bible. Not in the form of Black versus White racism, rather Jews versus Gentiles and Jews versus all non-Jews.
The first four days of this Bible Study will look at four passages addressing racism in The Bible.
Then, day five of the study briefly covers 10 Bible verses that shows the Gospel message is for all.
I encourage you to dive deeper into each of these passages and extend this five day Bible Study into 10, 15 or 30 days if needed.
Then Jesus adds, be like him. Not like the one who appears holy but the one who showed mercy.
See him as a neighbor.
And don’t just see him as a neighbor. Do better and be like him; He who gave you mercy and love. The one who might look different but was inside more like Jesus than all those others who walked by.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
ALL NATIONS…not just Judea. Don’t stay in Jerusalem. All the nations.
God had a divine appointment planned for Philip and man-oh-man did this divine appointment change the course of history and destroy walls of race and cultural differences.
The foundation for Peter, “the rock upon whom the church will be built” understands now that the Gospel should now be spread and go forth across culture and racial barriers and unto the Gentiles.
Acts 10:34-35 states, “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
John 7:24: Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
Acts 10:34-35: So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Colossians 3:11: Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Matthew 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Revelations 7:9: After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
James 2:9: But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
Romans 10:12: For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
So where do we go from here?
Loved these words from Carly:
We learn from these bible passages. They aren’t just lessons. They aren’t just stories. They are history. They are His Story. You see how they responded and do likewise. When it says God shows no partiality, it means he shows no partiality. And if we are to be like Christ as it says so many times in the Bible, it means we are to be like him, showing no partiality.
Like the Good Samaritan, we help those in need no matter their background. Like the woman from the well, we sit down and drink from her cup as Jesus did. We should be the Philips of the world sharing the Gospel with those who are eager to listen and learn no matter their skin color. We are to head God’s command and be a part of the Great Commission and be like Peter ready for a change of heart and mind. Ready to follow God’s word rather than customs and traditions.
The Bible is very clear on its stance against ANY type of segregation. Find that same stance. And realize it might be a battle to stand firm in this message of equality across the board but it is a fight worth fighting because it is a fight against evil. And evil will fall. Jesus will reign. Where will you be standing?
If you found this Bible Study on Racism and Justice valuable here’s how you can support Carly at Six Notes Clothing
Lindsey, I love your workouts. I found your Kettlebell workout on line last week and have been following the 30 day plan. I noticed your 10 June 5-day-bible-study-on-racism– Thank you.
Maria! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts and are following the 30 Day Workout Plan! And thanks for checking out this post as well — it’s been eye-opening as I personally dig into how I can be better at actively being anti-racist! -Lindsey
Lindsey, I love your workouts. I found your Kettlebell workout on line last week and have been following the 30 day plan. I noticed your 10 June post on Racism. Thank you.
Maria! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts and are following the 30 Day Workout Plan! And thanks for checking out this post as well — it’s been eye-opening as I personally dig into how I can be better at actively being anti-racist! -Lindsey
Lindsey, I love your workouts. I found your Kettlebell workout on line last week and have been following the 30 day plan. I noticed your 10 June 5-day-bible-study-on-racism– Thank you.
Maria! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts and are following the 30 Day Workout Plan! And thanks for checking out this post as well — it’s been eye-opening as I personally dig into how I can be better at actively being anti-racist! -Lindsey
Lindsey, I love your workouts. I found your Kettlebell workout on line last week and have been following the 30 day plan. I noticed your 10 June post on Racism. Thank you.
Maria! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts and are following the 30 Day Workout Plan! And thanks for checking out this post as well — it’s been eye-opening as I personally dig into how I can be better at actively being anti-racist! -Lindsey