While most of our young people won’t be able to vote in the EU referendum, they’re probably aware of the debate.
Ask your young people what they know about the arguments and whether they think we should stay in the EU or leave. Why?
According to Ipsos MORI, last year only 43 per cent of 18 to 24–year–olds voted in the general election. Ask your group whether, if
given the chance, they would vote in this referendum and in elections. Why? Why not?
Read this comment from Sarah Dickson, director of the Liberal Democrat Christian Forum: ‘For me, Jesus’ inclusive, borderless love can be best lived out by shifting our focus globally. Remaining part of Europe gives us an opportunity – among others – in which we, in Britain, can expand compassion, social justice and reconciliation to a far further end than the British Isles.’ Ask:
- What do you think of this comment?
- How can we display borderless love? At school? At home? To people you’ve never met?
Ask your young people whether they think staying or leaving the EU affects our identity:
- Will we be more or less British if we leave? More or less European?
- Where does our identity come from?
- Where is our true home? What do you make of Philippians 3:20, which says that we are ‘citizens of heaven’?
Read 1 Peter 2:9–10 and ask:
- How do you feel about being God’s possession?
- What does it mean to be ‘royal priests’?
- What do you think of our identity coming from being part of ‘God’s people’?
Read this comment from Kate Hoey, Labour MP: ‘As it stands, the EU is a centralised structure for the convenience of the governing elite … As Christians we never fear the future as we know we are in God’s hands.’ Ask:
- How can we ensure that we’re caring for the downtrodden?
- Should we give the EU a second chance? Are there any people in our lives who deserve a second chance?
- Can God reform people and situations that we have lost hope in?
- What would your perfect country look like? What values would it display?
- Is there anything you need to put in God’s hands?
Take some time to pray about identity – perhaps read or print out some appropriate Bible verses. Encourage your young people to lay all of their hopes, fears and dreams into God’s hands today.
