View The After Party video here: https://youtu.be/6tdoUnAid4M
Feel free to share this link with your Life Group to watch ahead of time or watch together as a group.

Connect
Have you ever been surprised by someone’s political persuasion? Did it change your affection for them?

Engage
In Jesus’ time, the Jews felt superior to the Samaritan people. They lived nearby, but were racially different and worshiped differently. The animosity between the Jews and Samaritans had endured for centuries. Read some of the following excerpts of Jesus’ interaction with them:
• Luke 9:51-56.
• Luke 10:30-37 (focus on vs 33).
• John 4:4-9. John 4:27. John 4:39-42.
How did Jesus deal with a potential conflict between His disciples and a village of Samaritans? How did Jesus deal with religious differences with the Samaritans? How did Jesus characterize Samaritans as caring human beings? Why would he do that?

Also in Jesus’ time, the Jews were subject to the rule of the Romans. Roman soldiers could force them to carry their loads. Taxation was heavy. Roman leaders were brutal and merciless in their measures to control their empire. Read some of the following excerpts of Jesus’ interaction with them:
• Matthew 8:5-13.
• Matthew 27:11-14.
• Matthew 27:54.
• Mark 12:13-17.
How do you think had Jesus impacted the two centurions with His words and actions, prior to the events mentioned above? What do you think others wanted Jesus to say about Roman taxation? How did Jesus respond to the injustice and lies as he stood before Pilate?

Apply
The politics of Jesus’ day were even more complicated than ours. In those times, as in ours, people were in 3 groups: disengaged, obsessed, or careful and caring. Consider honestly where you land among those 3 groups as you discuss one or more of the following points made by Eugene Cho.

Each of the following statements by Cho can lead to a passionate discussion. Choose 1 to discuss among yourselves, and no more than 2. Be sure to go below the surface. Consider what assumptions you bring into the topics. Trust each other.

1. Beware the dangers of cultural Christianity.
2. Don’t go to bed with political parties or powerful politicians.
3. Vote, but don’t just vote.
4. Stay and build relationships.
5. Hearts need to change, but structure must change too.

Pray
Our Father, as we watch the events of our day, we thank you for the perspective of history and realize that You have always been sovereign over the earth, even through the reigns of both good and evil leaders and civilizations. Teach us and empower us to be salt and light to the people around us, and to love them whether they agree with our positions or not. Thank you for the examples set by Jesus, who is our true leader above all others. We pray for our leaders, that you would give them wisdom and hearts to serve, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Amen

Bonus
Encourage your group members to sign up for the reading plan this week, created to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus as we approach the election. Sign up by texting Focusme to 97000.