Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
The teacher opens with the Moravian Indian Christians saying, “We’re not going to fight back. We are following in the steps of the Lamb.” What picture of God and of “the Lamb” is being assumed in that statement, and how does that picture confront common Christian instincts about self-defense and protecting families?
Another way to ask: When the Moravian Christians say, "We won’t fight back; we follow the Lamb," what kind of God and "Lamb" are they picturing? How does that challenge the common Christian idea that we must defend ourselves and our families with force?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, “the Lamb” is Jesus Christ whose followers choose nonresistance even when it costs their lives, trusting God’s way rather than taking vengeance or self-protection through violence. That picture confronts the instinct to defend ourselves and our families by force, because these Christians saw faithfulness as refusing to “fight back,” even under threat.
- The Moravian Indian Christians told their killers: “We’re not going to fight back. We are following in the steps of the Lamb, the Son of God.”
- The speaker repeatedly calls them “non-resistant Christians like us,” showing he views this as normal discipleship, not an exception.
- The militia said “No mercy,” and “men, women, and children” were killed; yet the Christians still chose prayer and songs instead of resistance.
- The speaker stresses the moral contrast: they had “laid down their arms,” had “turned themselves to an authentic Christianity,” and were murdered anyway.
- He adds a lesson about vengeance: the man seeking revenge ended “weeping what he had done,” implying violence doesn’t achieve the protection or satisfaction people expect.