Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
The speaker opens by saying, “We don’t have the rights that Americans have…our rights have been stripped away by our king.” What specific “rights” did you assume you still possessed after becoming a Christian, and how does the idea of Jesus as King challenge the way you talk about “my rights” in everyday life?
Another way to ask: After you became a Christian, what “rights” did you still think were yours to keep? How does calling Jesus your King change the way you talk about “my rights” day to day?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the “rights” he assumed he still had included the right to self-defense, retaliation, and asserting himself—until he saw that following Jesus means those “rights” are taken away by a higher King. Seeing Jesus as King shifts everyday language from “my rights” to “my obedience,” even in small, personal situations.
- He says, “We don’t have the rights that Americans have…Our rights have been stripped away by our king…We’re sojourners and pilgrims.”
- He admits even after becoming a Christian he still acted from “rights”: threatening, violence, intimidation (“I kicked him in the teeth… threatened his life… started a fight club”).
- He connects non-resistance to daily life, not just war: “It’s not only the big times… but it’s when our kids are annoying us and we have to show patience.”
- He lists “God’s taken rights”: no right “to riot… to be bitter… to complain or argue or gossip… keep records of wrongs… sue others.”
- He contrasts with “God’s given commands”: “turn the other cheek… love our enemies… forgive all… obey the government… disobey… when… in opposition to… Christ.”