God's Good News About Politics
How should Jesus' followers engage in politics? Take a broader look at how God’s people have engaged with issues of power, justice, and political organization, and consider His invitation to faithful engagement in our time.
Politics are a part of daily life, influencing decisions about power and resources at all levels of society. How should followers of Jesus engage? These resources guide believers to look to Scripture first, shaping our approach to faithful political engagement.
Prayers for the Election Season
In all circumstances, we want to be people who are centered on God. These three prayer guides are designed to ground us in Christ and His Kingdom, not a politician or political outcome. They can be used before or after the election and in groups or on your own.
Small Group Bible Studies
This five-session Small Group series explores how God's people have historically engaged with power, justice, and political organization. The Orientation provides a framework for understanding political engagement and sets the stage for the studies. Each session follows a consistent structure: opening question, story, Scripture study, challenge, and closing. Optional "Beyond the Text" sections are designed to engage our current time.
Pre-Session: Orientation
Session 2: Choosing Jesus as King - 1 Samuel 8:10-22
Session 3: Choosing the Kingdom of God - Luke 4:1-13
Session 4: Sharing the Shalom of God's Kingdom - Jeremiah 29:4-14
Session 5: God's Good News About Politics For You - Philippians 1:27, 2:3-11
Leadership Trainings
This five-session Leadership Training series will give leaders a framework for understanding discipleship in the area of area of politics and civic engagement. Each session follows a consistent structure: opening, discussion, and prayer.
Training 1: Introduction to Political Discipleship
Training 2: The Three-Legged Stool: The Seat
Training 3: The First Leg: Orthopathy ("Right Emotion")
Training 4: The Second Leg: Orthodoxy ("Right Belief")
Training 5: The Third Leg: Orthopraxy ("Right Action")
All Trainings
IVP Book Resources
- Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique Of Contemporary Ideologies by David T. Koyzis
- The Liturgy Of Politics: Spiritual Formation For The Sake Of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess
- Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches To Christian Citizenship And Why It Matters by Miranda Zapor Cruz
- What Are Christians For?: Life Together At The End Of The World by Jake Meador and Karen Swallow Prior
- Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility In An Uncivil World by Richard J. Mouw
Book List
Special thanks to Caroline Lancaster, Christy Gates, and Heather Wilson for their contributions to this project.
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About the authors
Jonathan Walton is the author of 12 Lies that Hold America Captive, co-host of the Shake the Dust podcast, and a Senior Resource Specialist with InterVarsity. For 15 years, he has led at the intersection of faith, justice, and spiritual formation, developing leaders for a lifetime of following Jesus. You can follow his work @jonathanpanwalton on Instagram OR visit jonathan-walton.com.
Connie J.G. Anderson serves as a Senior Resource Specialist with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship where her primary focus is on training white staff and students to minister in today's multiethnic world. As a Senior Fellow for Multiethnicity with InterVarsity Institute, Connie also presents her talk "A White Grandma Talks About Race" and trains churches for multiethnic ministry.
Andrew Berg serves as Area Director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in central Pennsylvania, supervising staff, volunteers, and student leaders at fifteen colleges. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2012 with a double major in history and government. After graduating, he taught middle school science in Baltimore through Teach for America, while earning a Masters of Education from Johns Hopkins University. After getting married in 2014, he began working for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. You can read more of Andrew's work on his two personal blogs, "The Dreamer & The Realist" and "Yes In My Spare Room."