Opening our eyes to see that social justice and the gospel are not mutually exclusive will transform the way we reach students in our cities. From the football pitch to the film club and from lecture theatres to the lash, students at university, regardless of their background, hobbies and courses are interested in a social justice issue of some sort. Groups such as Just Love and Student Action for refugees have seen growth in the last couple of years and student-led campaigns to divert universities away from investments in fossil fuels have been massively successful.
We’re the most connected generation of students ever and because of this we’re probably the most socially-aware generation. We read the news on twitter way before it makes it onto the TV. We don’t just hear about news faster, we hear about issues that would never usually get airtime on TV. But our generation isn’t just socially aware, it’s socially just. In fact, sociological research shows that our generation are more likely to fight for others who are treated unfairly.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
God’s even more passionate about social justice than we are, and the more you read through the Bible the more you see that it’s high up on God’s priorities. God commands his people to treat the poor, the fatherless and the foreigners with justice and dignity. He makes it clear that worship, prayer and fasting go hand-in-hand with treating others fairly, both locally & globally.
Our generation of students is longing for a message that is holistic and identifies with those living in poverty. This generation wants a real message that identifies with the concrete reality of everyday life, a message of hope and possibility in a time of uncertainty. We need a message of love, dignity and respect for ‘the other’ in a time when the people’s humanity is often forgotten. We need look no look further than the message of Jesus. We don’t have to choose between social justice and the gospel, because choosing the gospel is choosing social justice. So let’s get stuck in with student action groups in our universities and let’s share about how the Good news of Jesus is good news for all in society.
We Are Tearfund is a community that believes that we are a generation who, together, can end extreme poverty. We’ll be gathering at Together Weekends in early 2019 to hear from leading voices in international development, sustainability, climate change, theology and more. Together we’ll learn about different innovative and creative ways that we, as a group of students can make a difference.
Why don’t you join us? Find out more at www.weare.tearfund.org/gatherings/