Read: Acts 16:16-24

1. Who is in the story?
2. Where did the story take place?
3. What did each person do?
4. Why did Paul do what he did?
5. Why were the slave-owners angry?
6. How did the slave-owners' actions relate to God's purpose for the world, relate to shalom?
7. How do you think the girl felt/reacted?
8. Where in this story do you see witness to God's love?
9. How is this witness done? How is the story of God's love shared?

There is so much in this passage and the verses surrounding it. One of the striking things is Paul's choice to end the dehumanization and commoditization of the girl. This is in effect Paul's "no" to the market place. We see that this "no" had consequences.

In many ways we operate in the market place. If we blindly follow the forces of advertising and branding in the media we would lose sight of who and whose we are and become someone else's creation, pulled and driven by the economic powers that often operate unseen.

Human relations and economics: The dehumanizing force of the market place.

       a.        Media and branding.

               i.        What does the media promote?

               ii.        What does it tell you about who you are and should be?

               iii.        Why does it tell you these things?

               iv.        How does this compare and contrast with whom God says you are and should be?

       b.        In what ways do we see human relations dehumanized by economics?

Thinking about human relations and economics, what do we say and do in response to this passage?

In the coming week, think about what you buy and why. What about your friends? What type of witness  is this? What story does it tell about you and about God's story at work in your life? How can you share God's story in the marketplace?

Consider for a long term project doing a photo journal or video tape on this issue.

	There is human slavery going on in the world today in many places, including the United States of America. In the USA slaves are "imported," but some are United States citizens. It's dehumanization in the name of profit making. Here are some of the websites that highlight and describe modern-day slavery. They tell stories, and give insight into their work and what we can all do to end slavery:   Not For Sale Free The Slaves Here is a basic clip on YouTube about slavery:   Modern Day Slavery: Human Trafficking Revealed There are others on YouTube. Start by finding out all you can about slavery. If you are in a country that had slavery in the past, find out more about it and what it took to stop it. Talk with people, read history books, surf the web and look at reputable websites, go to the archives of TV stations, read magazines, etc. What drives slavery? Who controls it? Who benefits from it? Who suffers because of it? Why do we have slavery? What will it take to stop slavery today? Sometimes they seem huge and overwhelming, these transatlantic trades. However, history and these sites tell us that each person can play a role in stopping slavery. From your research, what steps can  be taken to end slavery today? What can/will you do to help stop slavery and allow people to live the full, free lives God intended, participating in God's story? Whom else will you engage in this effort?