Before the Session

Facilitator: In advance of the session

• Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
• Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
• Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media).

Context

Tell the group: The Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 enflamed and escalated the decades long conflict between Palestines and Israelis, which, despite a ceasefire that facilitated the release of many hostages and political prisoners, seems to continue interminably. Though recent fighting has focused on Gaza, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians and decimating the region, military occupation in the West Bank, that some commentators describe as akin to apartheid, continues unabated. In this context, two filmmakers–one Israeli, one Palestinian–created a documentary called “No Other Land” about the fearful, dehumanizing reality of living in the West Bank, and this movie won the Oscar for best feature length documentary at the 97th Academy Awards earlier this month in Los Angeles.