Why Did Slavery End? Teach 7-11 year olds the global history of freedom and biblical arguments for freedom for all God’s image bearers.
In his book, The Consequences of Ideas, the late R.C. Sproul (1939-2017) wrote:
Foundational thinking cares about the difference between truth and falsehood because it cares about good and evil.
Theology for kids matters. It matters because ideas have consequences, and those consequences shape the course of world history. There is real good and there is true evil.
Our kids can learn about theology–and about history–in a way that helps them see the consequences of ideas, even when the consequences are ugly, as they were with global slavery. In fact, the ugliness of slavery makes its defeat that much more exciting.
Why Did Slavery End?
Have you ever ignored a dirty sock on the bathroom floor, stepping around it for days? People do that with sin, too. But sin is much worse than a filthy sock. Sin violates God’s laws and separates us from him. Sin hurts other people–it is the opposite of love.
Why Did Slavery End?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2023), page 16
The abolitionist movement lasted from AD 1688 to 1888, but slavery has continued to persist through moments in history like World Wars 1 and 2.
Through the fight to end chattel slavery across the globe, Christians searched God’s Word to learn what the Lord has to say about kidnapping and enslaving his image bearers. The global anti-slavery movement was a fight to treat all people with love and justice, as those made in God’s image. As abolitionists and enslaved people fought for freedom, people around the world were gradually freed.
The Bible and Slavery
The centuries of the abolition movement were a time of moral warfare–when philosophers, government officials, and even theologians argued in favor of chattel slavery. Abolitionists, on the other hand, argued for equality for all God’s image bearers, using Scripture to show God’s commands to love all human beings.
Over time, and with persistence, the arguments abolitionists made from Scripture won out and global chattel slavery was ended. There were a few primary arguments our kids need to understand which explain the theology behind why slavery ended:
- God has given us very direct commands, like the eighth Commandment which tells us not to steal. Later, in Exodus 21:16, God commands that we must not steal humans and sell them. It is a sin that carries the death penalty.
- God also constrains sin, putting rules on slavery that protect slaves from abuse.
- This relationship between God’s direct law and God’s constraining commands is one our kids need to understand so they can read the Bible rightly.
- All humans are created in the image of God. Theologians use the term imago Dei to communicate this truth.
- God’s good creation mandates and ordinances are harmed by the institution of slavery–a sin which perpetuates other sins.
- We are to love others sacrificially, not steal their time, labor, and families from them.
- We love fellow Christians even more sacrificially, following the “one another” rules.
- Paul’s letter to Philemon about his slave Onesimus is an example of this love for our spiritual brothers and sisters.
- God has a lot to say about justice in the books of the prophets. Our lives must portray the justice of God, not the skewed justice of man.
The abolitionist movement to end slavery was a fight to hold to Scriptural truths about who God created us to be and how we must love one another. Our children need to know and understand what caused global chattel slavery to end.
The Who What Why series is fun to read!The History of Slavery and Theology for Kids
In a fun and engaging tone, the Christian theology and history book Why Did Slavery End? will take your kids through the story of abolitionism.
Why Did Slavery End? chapters:
- Introduction: The Freeing of God’s Image Bearers
- Chapter One: God Holds Back Sin
- Chapter Two: The Freeing of Europe and the Islands
- Chapter Three: Made in the Image of God
- Chapter Four: The Freeing of the Americas
- Chapter Five: The Secret Code for Family
- Chapter Six: The Freeing of Africa, and the Near and Far East
- Chapter Seven: The Justice of God
- Chapter Eight: The Freeing of the Whole World
- Timeline
Your kids will learn important history and theology, too!
Now, our hearts are slippery. We should be able to tell our hearts to love God and love others, do justice, be kind, walk humbly with God, and that should be that. But sin is always knocking at the door to our hearts, so we must keep reading God’s Word. The Bible is a light in the darkness for us, and it shines God’s truth over all the dark corners of our heart so sin cannot hide there. In fact, knowing God’s Word keeps us from making up strange or even wicked definitions for important words like justice and kindness–like the plantation owners and government officials did during the time of slavery.
Why Did Slavery End?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2021), page 68
Fabulously illustrated by Martyn Smith, the Who What Why series books are each 95 pages long with 8-9 chapters, perfect for your middle grade (ages 7-11) readers. The fun narrative makes each book an engaging family read aloud, but kids will love, too, that they can read the books on their own.
In fascinating sidebars, your kids will learn about:
- Working for Freedom (Abolitionists)
- Hating the Sin (Quakers)
- Good News for Everyone (The First and Second Great Awakening)
- Dear Government (Petitions)
- Words in Black and White (Abolitionist Essays, Newspapers, and Slave Narratives)
- Justice, Please (Freedom Suits)
- Out of Bondage (Fugitives)
- The Sword (Insurrections and Warfare)
- Setting the Captives Free (Jesus Frees the Captives!)
Why Did Slavery End? is a fun way for kids to learn about a major movement in world history, important biblical truths, and the people God used to remind his Church that he has told us how we must love one another.
Purchase Why Did Slavery End?
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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