MODULE 10: CHILD PROTECTION
Even the biggest organization cannot have social workers in every small community. The government cannot have eyes and ears in every place. But in tiny communities all over the world there are young Christians who are being trained to keep an eye out for vulnerable children in their midst. In this module you will learn how the Alongsiders in your movement are a powerful force for protection of vulnerable children in their own communities. You will also learn about how to help them deal with situations of abuse or danger.
The vulnerable children who become "little brothers and sisters" have legal rights. Be sure to know what their rights are. Watch this video.
The idea that we should speak up for those who are downtrodden is found throughout the Bible. One of the main roles of the prophets was to speak out for justice:
“Hear this, you who trample the needy and destroy the poor of the land!”
Amos the prophet (Amos 8:4)
“Seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 1:17)
“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice”
Jeremiah the prophet (Jeremiah 22:13)
“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.”
Ezekiel the prophet (Ezekiel 16:49)
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah the prophet (Micah 6:8)
"Thus says the Lord of hosts… do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the immigrant, or the poor…”
Zechariah the prophet (Zechariah 7:9-10)
In your role as a leader in Alongsiders, you are equipping Alongsiders to speak out prophetically for justice. An important aspect of this is to speak out and seek help when there is abuse or mistreatment of vulnerable children. The call to protect children and the call to speak out as prophets against injustice is the same call.
Together, we can make a difference for the most vulnerable members of our society.