Sermon Study Guide | Series: Inspired and Uncomfortable | Sermon: Does the Bible support Slavery?
Scripture: Exodus 21:2–11; Philemon 1; Galatians 3:26–28
Date: June 22, 2025

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Sometimes the Bible can feel difficult to understand—especially when it seems to condone something we now know to be wrong. Have you ever struggled with a passage in Scripture that made you uncomfortable or confused? How did you respond—did it cause you to dig deeper, avoid it altogether, or something else? Share about a time when you felt challenged by the Bible and what you did with that tension.

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

• In Exodus 21:2–11:
  
  
  • What differences do you notice between the form of servitude described here and what we often associate with slavery in American history?
    
    
  • Why is it important to understand the historical and cultural context of this passage?
    
    
• In Philemon 1: How does Paul appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus? What tone and approach does Paul use to challenge a cultural norm?
  
  
  • Have you ever challenged a person or institutional idea? How did you go about it? What was the result? Share with your group
    
    
• Read Galatians 3:26–28
  
  
  • What does this say about the identity and equality of people in Christ?
    
    
  • How does this passage speak into both ancient and modern systems of inequality?
    
    
• The sermon explained that the Bible includes both descriptive and prescriptive passages.
  
  
  • Why is it important to distinguish between the two when studying Scripture?
    
    
  • How might confusion between description and prescription lead to the misuse of the Bible?
    
    
• Reflect on the idea that the Bible is a story written for us but not to us.
  
  
  • How does that perspective influence the way we interpret difficult passages?
    
    
  • Can you think of examples from today’s world where understanding context changes how we view an issue?
    
    

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

1. This message encourages us to study Scripture both honestly and humbly.
   
   
   1. What would it look like for you to begin reading the Bible with more curiosity and less fear of difficult texts?
      
      
   2. Are there parts of Scripture you’ve been avoiding because they make you uncomfortable? What’s one passage you want to revisit this week?
      
      
2. Think about systems of inequality or injustice that exist today.
   
   
   1. How does your understanding of God’s heart for freedom and dignity compel you to respond?
      
      
   2. Is there a tangible way you can advocate for dignity and justice this week—in your community, workplace, or personal relationships?
      
      
3. How can you discern when a biblical text is describing a broken cultural reality vs. prescribing God’s ideal?
   
   
   1. What tools (study Bibles, commentaries, community discussion) could you begin using more regularly?
      
      

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Jesus, You came to proclaim liberty to the captives and dignity to the overlooked. Thank You for meeting us in the middle of our messy world with truth and grace. Help us to read the Scriptures not just for answers, but for understanding. Give us humble hearts to wrestle with hard truths and the courage to stand against injustice wherever we see it. May we be people who reflect Your love and freedom to a world still in need of healing. Help us read Your Word fully—without fear or avoidance—and always follow it to You. Amen.