1 Samuel 9:1—10:8: Citizenship
LEIF SERVES ON his local public school board. The board must make a decision about a public health clinic located in the high school. The health clinic provides immunizations and physical examinations, and gives emergency care for injuries. It provides counsel to students with drug and alcohol problems. It supplies nutrition advice for pregnant women, birth control information, adoption agency referrals and phone numbers for abortion clinics. Recently the board has received a rash of complaints about the health clinic. One side says that the public school ought to be in the business of education, not providing fancy health services. The other complaints are from those who want birth control and abortion information ceased. And they want the clinic closed if that's what it takes.
Leif believes that abortion is wrong. And he believes that sex outside of marriage is wrong. He also knows that a certain percentage of these high-school students will have problem pregnancies—whether or not the clinic is open. And without the clinic, many kids at that high school will get no medical care at all. What position should Leif take on the upcoming school board decision?
Warming Up to God
In what area of your life do you see potential conflict between civil policy and moral principle?
Read 1 Samuel 9:1—10:8. »
Discovering the Word
- What events lead to a meeting between Saul and Samuel?
- What reasons did Saul have to trust Samuel?
- Given the information here, what do you see as Samuel's civil responsibilities?
- What do you see as Samuel's spiritual responsibilities?
- What do you think would be hard about Samuel's dual position?
Applying the Word
- Review the dilemma Leif faced with his school board. If you were Leif, what decision would you urge on your fellow board members?
- How would the recommendation you have chosen meet your responsibilities to all of the people in your school district?
- How would it meet your responsibilities as a heavenly citizen?
Responding in Prayer
Take time now to pray for one of your own civil leaders.
For Further Study
Why Politics Needs Religion by Brendan Sweetman