Christian Aid Week
sermons
These sermon routes are split up into chunks so that you can use the parts
that are most relevant to you and the church you are speaking to. Feel free
to add, take away or rearrange parts as works best for you, and use the two
stories to explore what the Bible passages have to say in today’s context.
Contents
1
2
3
4
Stories
page 2
Sermon 1
Sunday 14 May
Sermon 2
Sunday 21 May
page 4
page 7
Sermon 3
Any time before or during
Christian Aid Week page 9
1
Stories
Nejebar and Noor
Nejebar and Noor lived in Afghanistan with
their five children. Noor worked as a teacher,
which put him in danger when the Taliban
threatened to kill anyone who worked for the
government. This threat was carried out on
one of their family members, whose eyes
were gouged out before he was killed.
he should. His abdomen is swollen. They
don’t know what is wrong with him. The
only doctor in the refugee camp is Greek and
because of the language barrier, they haven’t
been able to explain that Sudai is much older
than he looks.
Despite having so little, they have taken in
two brothers from Afghanistan, Faraidoon
and Farzad, who are travelling alone.
Faced with threats, bombs and war at home,
they chose to try and find something better.
Noor said: ‘It was like suicide for us. But we
took the decision that it is better to die here
than to die there from war.’
Faraidoon and Farzad don’t know where their
parents are, or even if they’re alive, but they
have found refuge with this family as they
wait for news of their own.
Having managed the difficult and dangerous
journey to Greece, they are now living in a
tent in a refugee camp. They expected to be
there for 10 days, but have been there for six
months and there’s no end in sight.
Nejebar says, ‘We still have some hope that
one day we will get out of here and we have
hope for our children’s future.
‘Our wish is to get out from this situation
and to be able to go further. We only want a
peaceful life. We want our children to have
an education, to go to school. The most
important thing is for our children.’
They have no protection against wind and rain.
There’s no school for their children. And they
have no idea what will happen to them now.
Sudai, their youngest child, is five but looks
much younger. He hasn’t been growing as
‘Our wish is to get out from
this situation and to be able
to go further. We only want
a peaceful life. We want
our children to have an
education, to go to school.
The most important thing
is for our children.’
2
1
Stories
Theodor
Theodor Davidovic is 91 and has supported
and volunteered for Christian Aid Week for
decades, because Christian Aid supporters
helped him when he was a refugee.
Theodor says: ‘It was Christian Aid who sent
us care packages. It was Christian Aid who
fed us, and I will never forget it. That is why
I volunteer for Christian Aid. The people then
who were contributing through Christian Aid
Week helped me to survive. I feel I owe my
life to the cause. To Christian Aid, I promise
that I will do my best, as long as I live, and I
am still doing it’.
Theodor had to flee his home in Serbia
during the political chaos following the
Second World War. He spent two and a half
years living in refugee camps in Germany
and Italy.
‘I feel I owe my life to the
cause. To Christian Aid, I
promise that I will do my
best, as long as I live, and
I am still doing it’.
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2
Sermon 1
Sunday 14 May
Introduction
The texts for the Sunday at the start of Christian Aid Week are challenging and rich in imagery.
They give the preacher an opportunity to engage with the stories of brothers and sisters who
are weary, exhausted by forced wandering and waiting for a welcome.
Probably the best way to approach these texts, and the stories on pages 2 and 3, is to sit with
them, making space to reflect on those sharing their experiences as neighbours and family.
Listen to the voices of those who have no safe place to call home and feel the resonance –
what strikes you about the similarities, and the differences, with life in your community?
We are so interconnected, yet sometimes the scale of human struggle tempts us to look away,
to stay in our bubbles and allow overload to turn to apathy, thinking that the little bit we can do
will be washed away by the tidal wave of need. By sharing and unpacking the stories in your
own way, you can help strengthen connections between communities and, by letting them
flow through the scripture passages, offer a counter to apathy.
These texts issue a challenge to be a refuge and safe place, to prepare a place of welcome for
members of the worldwide family of God.
Readings
Acts 7:55-60 • Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 • 1 Peter 2:2-10 • John 14:1-14
Stones: Weapons or welcome?
In the passages for the week, images of stone as refuge, fortress and building block are
juxtaposed against stone as weapon, stumbling block and barrier.
In the psalm, God is the safe place prayed for. Throughout the text, the distress of the psalmist
is palpable, but so is the certainty that God will be there. There is an implicit question to grapple
with: How do we respond as the body of Christ to the cries of the most vulnerable?
Today, 65 million people are displaced across the world. They have no home and until they find
permanent sanctuary, they live in limbo. If God’s face is going to shine through the dark times
in places where violence, oppression or natural disasters have driven people from their homes,
then it will most likely be by shining through other people. Through the sermon, you can
explore how individuals, congregations and communities can offer welcome, call for change,
and embody God’s love and compassion.
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Examples you could use
Developing countries are struggling to cope – 80% of all refugees are living in developing
countries. Christian Aid calls on world leaders to commit to long-term plans for assisting
countries hosting refugees and communities hosting large numbers of people who have been
displaced within their own countries. We also urge states to introduce, increase and strengthen
the existing ‘safe routes’ for refugees, such as humanitarian visas, family reunification and
relocation schemes.
Consider the story of brothers Faraidoon and Farzad (see page 2). They have fled war in
Afghanistan and don’t know where their parents are, or even if they are alive. Another refugee
family has taken the brothers into their home in a camp in Greece. Could we respond to the
current refugee crisis with the same compassion and generosity?
Living stones
In verse 15, the psalmist says ‘my times are in your hand’ – what a provocative image when set
against the current refugee crisis and the stories of people like Faraidoon and Farzad, Nejebar
and Noor (see page 2).
Time after time, refugees speak of the agony of living in limbo, stuck and stopped at a border,
unable to move, unable to work or have access to education for their children, not knowing
when, if ever, they will know what their future holds or where it lies. After losing everything,
and often everyone, they move to more uncertainty and anxiety – their time is in the hands of
others.
In 1 Peter, Jesus is likened to a ‘living stone’, a cornerstone for those who build their foundation
on the solid ground of his compassion and love. We too are called to be ‘living stones’, built into
a spiritual house. Surely that house should hold a radical welcome for those God loves.
There is also a warning that by not following Jesus’ example, we become stumbling blocks.
How do inaction, apathy and ‘them and us’ rhetoric affect those who need our voice, support
and welcome? How can we change the negative story we often hear in the media and
elsewhere about refugees?
In Acts, stones are used as weapons – hurled
to hurt and kill, to shut down and shut up.
How are negative words and actions used
to undermine the welcome Christ calls us
to? How can we ensure we speak and act in
ways that offer welcome and bring healing?
Even if we cannot
wave away war, stop
humanitarian disasters
or bring an immediate
end to violence – we can
prepare a place, and offer
refuge. If we are the
body of Christ, part of
the family of God, then
we can open ourselves
wide to our family.
Stoning is a prime example of inhumanity
towards another person; yet, Stephen follows
Jesus’ example and teaching, and forgives
his attackers. Stephen’s story gives us an
example of how to follow Jesus – will we be
places of welcome and love or will we ‘cover
our ears’ to the suffering of the world’?
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In the gospel of John, Jesus says he goes to prepare a place for us. There is something
profoundly moving about a place being prepared – it says you are wanted, you are welcome,
this is your home.
Suggested activity
Build a cairn
‘Cuiridh mi clach air do charn’, meaning ‘I will put a stone on your cairn’, is an ancient
Scottish blessing. Cairns are used in different ways: as a marker on a journey, as a
memorial to someone, as a symbol of success in reaching your destination.
You could invite your congregation to build a cairn as a ‘prayer in action’ – every stone a
prayer for safe passage, for people along the way to offer care and in memory of those
who have been lost.
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Sermon 2
Sunday 21 May
Introduction
Choices are part of life. The number of choices we’re required to make seems to increase all
the time; it’s no wonder some people are suffering from decision fatigue. Some choices are
more important and more difficult than others.
The Bible passages today highlight choices about whether we follow the messages the world
gives us or the word of God. The story of Nejebar and Noor (see page 2) gives a glimpse of the
difficult choices they have made since leaving their home.
There are 65 million people worldwide fleeing conflict, war and disaster. They have to make
decisions that we can barely imagine making. Good choices are hardly possible when you have
to choose between staying in a home at risk from war or braving a dangerous journey in search
of safety.
Readings
Acts 17:22-31 • Psalm 66:8-20 • 1 Peter 3:13-22 • John 14:15-21
The Christian Aid Week story
For 60 years, Christian Aid Week has given people the chance to be part of a story of
transformation. We have been working with refugees for decades, and we won’t stop now.
Working with refugees and speaking a language of love and welcome is a challenge in a world
of fear and closed doors. But we know it is a challenge we must accept.
When Christian Aid Week was launched, the refugee crisis following the Second World
War was still ongoing, and was every bit as challenging as the refugee situation today. But
Christians responded in their thousands, giving money, organising events, lobbying their
politicians and inspiring others to do the same. It took a long time, but by the end of 1960,
the refugee camps in Europe were finally closed. For refugees like Theodor (see page 3), this
meant they could at last rebuild their lives in peace and safety.
1 Peter 3:13-22
Doing what is right despite difficult circumstances is clearly the theme of this passage. We are
reminded that Jesus suffered for us all, but that when we stand up for him, we are blessed
even in our suffering.
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God lives in us through
the Holy Spirit. It is
through the Holy Spirit
that we see glimpses of
God’s kingdom of justice
and mercy, and that we
start to see people as
God sees them: as people
to love rather than
people to fear.
This passage shows the difference
between God’s ways and the ways of the
world. Verse 14 says ‘Do not fear what they
fear, and do not be intimidated’. Throughout
the Bible, God commands us ‘Do not be
afraid’. We have seen throughout history
that fear can lead to violence, war, and
treating others without compassion.
Those who speak out for what is right
often get criticised for their actions, but as
Christians we are called to follow Jesus
who is so often found with those who are
suffering and marginalised.
How does this passage speak to us in the current climate, in which refugees are a divisive
topic? What message might God have for us when we read this passage alongside stories
such as that of Nejebar and Noor (see page 2)? Does it have a particular resonance with the
situation in your church or your community?
John 14:15-21
Here Jesus offers comfort to the disciples, telling them they will not be alone once he has
gone to the Father. The comfort provided by the Holy Spirit is also offered to us as followers of
Jesus. When we choose to reach out to those in need we also reach out with the Holy Spirit
and the love of God.
Jesus says: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments’. In John 15:12 he expands on
this: ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’ We must reach out with the
love of Jesus and love one another, friends and strangers. When we do this, Jesus is revealed
to us through the Holy Spirit.
God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that we see glimpses of
God’s kingdom of justice and mercy, and that we start to see people as God sees them: as
people to love rather than people to fear.
Response
How might your congregation choose to respond to the stories you’ve been sharing today? You
could use this opportunity to celebrate the specific things that have happened in your church
and community for Christian Aid Week, or ways your congregation can play their part – for
example by giving in their Christian Aid Week envelope.
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Sermon 3
This sermon is based on Luke 10:25-37, and is intended to be used any time
during or in the run up to Christian Aid Week.
Introduction
We’ve probably all experienced good neighbours. We’ve possibly experienced bad neighbours
too. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ idea of a good neighbour.
The question
A lawyer asks Jesus: ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ This person is an expert in Jewish
law. It’s clear from the question that he assumes it is the responsibility of humans to attain
eternal life.
Jesus doesn’t affirm the assumption. He offers a counter question: ‘What does the law say?’
The lawyer replies: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ Jesus says,
right, go and do it.
In trying to determine, or possibly limit, his responsibility, the lawyer asks Jesus another
question: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Jesus responds with a parable.
The parable
A man is travelling the 17 miles from Jerusalem to Jericho. He’s travelling along a notoriously
dangerous road, passing through rocky, desolate country. Lone travellers could easily be
attacked by ruthless bandits, as this man is. He’s left for dead.
A priest travels along the same road, probably riding as he belongs to the upper class of
society. No doubt he sees the man, but he chooses to cross over to the other side.
A Levite comes along next – the Levites assisted priests in the temple. He’s in a lower social
class so is probably walking. He too turns his back on the injured man.
A Samaritan, also travelling along the road, sees the injured man and has compassion.
Samaritans were an Israelite sect living in the territory of Samaria between Galilee and Judea
and Jerusalem. The Samaritans accepted only the five books of Moses and rejected the
writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions. There was a long-standing animosity
between the Jews and the Samaritans.
This despised foreigner is the only one who shows compassion to the Jewish man, the only
one who doesn’t turn his back on him. He uses his own wine as disinfectant and his oil as
soothing lotion, puts the man on his own donkey and pays the innkeeper out of his own pocket.
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The generosity of the Samaritan compared to the Jews would have been the opposite of what
the lawyer expected.
Jesus asks the lawyer which was the neighbour to the injured man. He correctly replies: ‘The
one who showed him mercy.’
The challenge
What does Jesus require of us in order to describe ourselves as neighbours? The Samaritan
in the parable was the most unlikely of the three men to prove a neighbour, but he crossed
barriers of race, religion and culture to do so. In telling this story, Jesus is clearly showing us
that we should be a neighbour to people from different backgrounds, faiths and nationalities to
our own.
Throughout his life, Jesus accepted all people and showed compassion to the marginalised.
Many Jews would walk around Samaria when travelling between Galilee and Jerusalem, but
Jesus chose to walk through it (John 4:4). Just before he returned to heaven, Jesus charged his
disciples with being his witnesses in Samaria as well as Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 1:8).
Jesus’ words and actions make it clear that he strongly disagrees with the animosity between
Jews and Samaritans. He challenges our prejudice against people who are not like us, even
those we have considered enemies. Instead he says we should make them our neighbours,
and love them as ourselves.
1 John 4:20 says: ‘Those who say, “I love God”, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for
those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have not seen, cannot love God whom
they have not seen.’
It is believing in Jesus Christ that gives
the gift of eternal life, not the actions
we perform. However, the fruit of this
relationship with Jesus is to love our brothers
and sisters. If we love God with all that we
have, and all that we are, we will show love
and mercy towards others.
‘If we love God with
all that we have, and
all that we are, we will
show love and mercy
towards others.’
Christian Aid has been working with refugees since we were founded. We have been
unwavering in our efforts to give security and comfort to refugees around the world, advocating
for policies that protect them and helping them on the ground. From providing blankets, food
and shelter, to specialist services such as physiotherapy for people with disabilities or legal
support for women who have experienced violence, Christian Aid has been a rock for those in
need and far from home. We will not turn our backs on Nejebar (see page 2) and the many like
her who find themselves without a safe place to call home.
Tens of millions of people in our world have had to flee their homes and they need people who
are willing to reach out to them across barriers of race, religion and culture. This Christian Aid
Week, we can be there for them, helping Christian Aid provide the food, shelter and assistance
refuges like Nejebar desperately need.
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As you consider the passages we’ve heard today, ask:
• What response is God requiring from you today?
• Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to show compassion and to love your neighbour
as yourself?
• To reach out across barriers of race, religion and culture?
• Is God calling you to be a neighbour to Noor and Nejebar and thousands of others in
similar situations?
• Will you refuse to turn your back, and join us as we follow the example of the
Samaritan man?
• Will you answer Jesus’ command to ‘Go and do likewise’?
Now might be a good moment to highlight the activities your church has planned for Christian
Aid Week, and suggest ways in which your congregation can get involved.
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