A Discussion Guide for Parents: The End of Derek Chauvin’s Trial

As a parent of three teenagers and an elementary child, as well as a follower of Christ, as a family we need to celebrate and discuss the end of the Derek Chauvin’s trial. After several weeks and only ten hours of deliberation, the jury found Chauvin, 45, guilty on all three counts: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. On May 25, 2020, Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, became unresponsive and later died while being restrained by policeman Derek Chauvin for passing a counterfeit bill and resisting arrest. Now as parents, we ask, “How do we celebrate and think about the end of Derek Chauvin’s trial?” Prayerfully, this discussion guide will help you.

What We Celebrate

As we discuss this matter with our children and even as we think about it as individuals, we ask, “What do we celebrate?”

• We celebrate due process. This trial demonstrated what so many thought when watching the over nine minutes of video tape about George Floyd’s death. Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict brought to end that step of the due process. More than likely, there will be an appeal; however, an appeal is part of the process. For due process, we rejoice. During the riots of last summer, we pleaded with those around the country to wait upon due process; we are glad it came.
• We celebrate our system of government that cares about justice. God gave us government to promote justice (cf., Rom 13:1-6; 1 Pet 2:13-17). Paul described government as, “God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Rom 13:4). I can’t help but remember two Old Testament verses as we rejoice in justice. “But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24). Further, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
• We celebrate those who seek to carefully carry out that justice – our law enforcement community of all kinds. God gave us law enforcement to do His will. Peter describes these peace officers as, “those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Pet 2:14). These individuals often work in a thankless environment; yet, we need them, we call on them, and we depend upon them. Further, those judges, prosecutors, and others who work in the judicial branch of government we rejoice in as well.

What We Sorrow

As we discuss this matter with our children and even as we think about it as individuals, we also must ask, “What do we sorrow?”

• We sorrow the sadness of sin. Sin devastates. Sin destroys. This case reeks with level upon level of sin. Sin just brings destruction and death (cf., James 1:15).
• We sorrow the devastating effects of depravity both on law enforcement and where they are needed with perpetrators. We recognize that law enforcement personnel look just like the rest of mankind. They suffer under the burden of sin. Although they as a group desire the best, any individual officer can suffer under the weight of his own depravity. We sorrow over this. Those individuals in our society that God ordained to protect us, at times, choose to sin against us. Just one case is too many, yet we know over the course of time we learn of more. We sorrow over this.
• We sorrow over the need for law enforcement. We hate the fact that police were called to this scene. Although Chauvin failed George Floyd on this horrible day, we sorrow that the police had to be called at all. Sin complicates on so many levels. We sorrow that police are even needed; however, we recognize their necessity.
• We sorrow an imperfect system of justice. Nationwide, justice is not always blind, quick, or fair. Each of us know cases where we believe the system has failed. Possibly many cases. We long for a future day when there will be no more need for a system of justice (cf., Rom 8:18-25). On days that the system gets it right, we rejoice. Yet, along the way, we recognize it as an imperfect system.
• We sorrow in the loss of life. George Floyd was just the first. Many have died in the protesting and rioting since May 25, 2020. George Floyd’s death was senseless, unacceptable, and avoidable. All those who have lost lives since in protests and rioting are senseless as well.
• We sorrow in the loss of hope. The fact that so many in our society do not have hope in the system of justice, in their fellow man, and in God and God’s plan brings us sorrow. If only one had lost hope in the system of justice and those that represent it, that would be too many. However, we sorrow because many, many fellow imagebearers of God have done so.

What We Pray

As we discuss this matter with our children and even as we think about it as individuals, we also must ask, “What do we pray?”

• We pray for George Floyd’s family to receive comfort in this process and verdict. May God grant them a sense of due process and some sense of His justice in this.
• We pray for all those who have sorrowed alongside George Floyd’s family. May our fellow countrymen also receive comfort in this verdict. May they also sense justice in due process for Floyd and others who face injustice.
• We pray for those in law enforcement. This reminds us why we need to pray for law enforcement because as depraved and sinful individuals seeking to wield the power of government, we understand that power can corrupt any one of them. Their hearts are deceitful, as ours, and desperately wicked. They face the same temptations as we. May God grant them the patience, endurance, perseverance, and love for their fellow man as they serve.
• We pray for God to expose the injustice. Where there are individuals or laws or systems that promote injustice, may God expose those people or things. Please God bring light in a dark place.
• We pray for our fellow man. The fact that there is a need for law enforcement personnel brings us sorrow. Those also in the image of God choose at times to sin. We pray for our fellow citizens and non-citizens that are in our country that they would live consistent with the law and would willingly and quickly comply that what they are asked to do that is reasonable.
• We pray for Derek Chauvin and his family. As a now-convicted, former law enforcement officer, who also has recently divorced, as he heads to prison after sentencing, Derek faces rough days ahead. Our prayer and concern for him extends past his physical and mental well-being, but also primarily includes his spiritual well-being. May God use this time to help him consider his own life, his actions, his heart, and ultimately his eternity.

What We Hope

As we discuss this matter with our children and even as we think about it as individuals, we also must ask, “What do we hope?”

• We hope for the return of Christ. The only way true justice reigns and sin is forever defeated is if Jesus returns. For this we pray and hope!
• We hope for people to experience justice. For all those who have experienced injustice, we hope that this verdict will give them a sense of justice even though it may not be specific to their case. No doubt, those who have experienced injustice feel this personally, and, we hope that they will experience justice through this.
• We hope for our children. As our children and grandchildren grow up, we hope that this case will help them understand better justice, injustice, mercy, due process, respect, and so many other crucial lessons. May we as adults use this time well to help teach and train them, to model before them, and to help them understand these issues.
• We hope for our community. As a society filled with communities who struggle, we hope this will be the first among many instances where the community will stand together in support for each other, law enforcement, the justice system, due process, and righteousness. We especially hope that Christians will continue to make a difference in these communities where they see each individual as in the image of God.
• We hope for our conscience. As we strive to live consistent with the Word of God seeking to love God supremely and our neighbors sincerely, we hope that we would live with a clean and clear conscience toward others. May we carefully live in ways that promote righteousness, justice, mercy, and respect.

For Further Reading

Parents: The Challenge of Social Justice and Injustice

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