Get to know diaspora people in the Bible.

The experiences of diaspora people mentioned in the Bible will help you pray for people currently in similar situations. Consider how their diaspora experience (push, pull, connection with others, idea of home) affected their actions. Compare their faith experience with those around them. How did this person fit into God’s plan of salvation?
 
You could focus on one category or choose one from each category. Scripture references shown are to help show the person’s inclusion in that category. This list is not complete!

Third culture persons:

Moses (Exodus 2:1-10, 2:22)
Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 14:6-12)
Esther (Esther 2:5-7)
Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach, Abednego (Daniel 1:1-7)
Hiram (1 Kings 7:13-14)
Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3)
Timothy (Acts 16:1)

International students:

Daniel (Daniel 1:1-7)
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Daniel 1:1-7)
Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3)
 
Trafficked persons:

Joseph (Genesis 37:12-28)
Naaman’s wife’s servant girl (2 Kings 5:1-2)
Slave girl (possibly) (Acts 16:16)

Forcibly displaced (Refugees/asylees)

Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:23)
Hagar (Genesis 21:10)
Exiles from Judah (2 Kings 25:11)
Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15)
Priscilla and Aquilla (Acts 18:2)

Economic migrants:

Jacob and his family (Genesis 45:9-11)
Naomi (Ruth 1:1-2)
Lydia (Acts 16:14)

Pilgrims:

Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:5)
Greeks seek Jesus at Passover (John 12:20-21)
Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11)
Hellenist widows (Acts 6:1)
Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27-28)

Seafarers:

Jonah’s shipmates (Jonah 1:1-6)
Paul’s shipmates on the way to Rome (Acts 27:20-26)
 








CC BY 4.0 Katherine Lorance

Missionaries:

Ezra (Ezra 7:1-10)
Persecuted who fled (Acts 11:19-20)
Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2)
Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)

Nomads:

Abram/Abraham (Genesis 12:1, 5-9)
Isaac (Genesis 26)
Jacob (Deuteronomy 26:5)
see also Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16
 
Soldiers:

Naaman (2 Kings 5:1)
Elisha and Syrians (2 Kings 6:15)
Centurion at Capernaum (Luke 7:2-3)
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-2)