For followers of Christ in a free state, voting is a privilege, a responsibility, and an opportunity to honor Christ as Lord.
Note: Throughout this session, participants may be tempted to veer off into a debate about specific persons in the current election cycle. Resist that temptation! Keep the focus on Christ and the believer’s act of voting as a demonstration of Christian citizenship.
What do you remember about your first experience of voting in a national election? How did you feel as a first-time voter? How did you decide on your preferred candidate?
Did that election’s outcome encourage or discourage you about voting in future elections? How so?
Agree or disagree with this statement: Abstaining from voting is never a good option; not voting is the same as casting a “yes” vote for the worst choice.
Of course, the Scriptures do not directly address the modern practice of citizens voting in civic elections. That just had not happened by that point in history! It does, however, deal with the responsibilities of the Christian citizen.
2 Samuel 5:1–5 (NLT)
Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’ ”
3 So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5 He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
Acts 6:1–6 (NLT)
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
What words and phrases emphasize the people had a part in selecting David as Israel’s king? What about in selecting deacons to serve in the church?
What actions indicate the people sought God’s guidance and wisdom in affirming David’s kingship? in choosing the seven deacons?
Why do you think it was important to give everyday people the privilege of having a part in anointing David as king of Israel? in selecting the first deacons for the church?
What does it mean for you to say that voting is a privilege?
Romans 13:1–7 (NLT)
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Do you think in verse 7 that Paul could have included voting among a Christian’s obligations if the government of his day had held free and open elections to choose its top leaders? Why or why not?
Why do you think so many citizens of our nation, including some Christians, fail to vote in any of its elections?
How do you personally respond to the idea that voting is a God-given responsibility for the believer?
Philippians 2:12–16 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Philippians 3:20–21 (NLT)
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
In what ways is voting an opportunity to honor Christ?
In what ways can believers “shine like stars in the world” today? How can voting become an opportunity to honor Christ and share the gospel?
How can a believer’s practice of good citizenship in the world reflect a greater citizenship that is “in heaven”?
Which one of the three ideas about voting—it is a privilege; it is a responsibility; it is an opportunity to honor Christ—is most meaningful to you at this time? Explain your response.
What will you do differently in regard to your personal practice of voting as a result of this study?