DAY 1: PETER’S FAVORITISM & OURS Bible Time Drama Scene 1 – Read Acts 10:9-33 • What was Peter’s predisposition towards those who were of a different culture than he was? Give 2 examples to back up your view. “You and a friend are back on your campus looking for “random” evangelistic appointments. As you walk through the student union building, you notice two students, each sitting at a different table, apparently hanging out between classes and reading the school newspaper. One of the students is of the same race as you and your friend, while the other student is from a different race.” • Modern Day Drama Scene 1 – Campus • After Peter’s vision, how does his view begin to change? What steps of obedience does he begin to take? With the situations being equal, who are you most likely to approach? Why? Scene 2 – Read Acts 10:34 –48 • In what way was Peter’s understanding of God changed by this experience? “You are walking on a downtown street when a Caucasian man in a business suit stops you and says, ‘Hey, I left home without my wallet, and I need $1 to be able to catch the bus, can you help me out?’ Later an African-American male stops you with a similar story.” • Scene 2 – City Which person are you more likely to believe? Why? • How do you think Peter would define the word “favoritism?” • How would you respond to these individuals? Scene 3 – Read Acts 11:1-18 • Who were the circumcised believers and what did they say and do? • How did Peter respond to those who had not yet been “enlightened” about not showing favoritism? What lessons can we learn from him? “You are in a special service with the young adult or college age group at your church. You have brought a non-Christian friend with you who is of a different ethnic background from the majority of your church. During the service, one of the leaders makes an off-color remark about a particular ethnic group. Most of the people laugh, but you feel a little uneasy and notice your friend raise an eyebrow.” • Scene 3 – Church What would you do in this situation? Would you say anything to your friend? If so, what? If not, why not? • KEY QUESTIONS: In what ways have you been guilty of showing favoritism to people of your own race? What does the term passive racism mean? How can this be a form of showing favoritism? Jesus’ Example Read John 4:4-30; 39-42 • DAY 2: BECOMING INTENTIONAL What do you think the Scripture means when it says, “Now he had to go through Samaria?” What did Jesus’ actions communicate to: Jews Samaritans His Disciples • • What lessons can you pick out that can help you become more effective ministering cross-culturally? • Philip’s Example Read Acts 8:26-40 • In what ways was Philip different from the Ethiopian Eunuch? What excuses could Philip have used for not sharing the Gospel with him? • Who led Philip to share with this man? (Ethiopia has had one of the strongest Christian presence in all of Africa. Many legends point back to this Ethiopian Eunuch as having a huge influence on his nation for Christ.) • What might have happened had Philip not been obedient to the “I can’t help the fact that I don’t have to be intentional about affirming my whiteness. But I can educate myself in order to affirm blackness as well as whiteness. I can’t change the fact that I didn’t know the other race where I grew up. But I can decide who my friends are now. I can’t change the fact that I was raised in churches where everybody looked like me. But I can choose what Christians influence my life now. I can’t rub away what adults taught and demonstrated to me in my childhood. But I can raise my children to appreciate and understand people who are different. I can’t help the fact that I have benefited from slavery and the oppression of blacks. But I can choose to use these benefits in a way that builds justice for everyone.” – Chris Rice Spirit’s leading? These are some suggestions that you should consider when seeking to be intentional about building cross-cultural friendships: 1. Pray about how to pursue these friendships. 2. Establish common ground. 3. Enter their world. 4. Remember that relationships take time. 5. Be sensitive and honest. 6. Become a learner of other cultures. 7. Be willing to own up to your own prejudice and sin. 8. Don’t give up when it gets hard. • Which of these items is a struggle for you right now? • Which one do you feel God nudging you to consider applying back home? Among European-Americans… 44% believe that African-Americans are more violent than European-Americans. 22% said that European-Americans are clearly more intelligent than African-Americans. 20% said Ku Klux Klan has legitimate grievances. 19% said they would refuse a blood transfusion from an African-American. 15% said they have a right to keep African-Americans out of their neighborhoods. Attributes Whites associate with Blacks: Criminal (33%) Poor (32%) Violent (31%) Dangerous (30%) Lazy (29%) DAY 3: THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE Attributes Blacks associate with Whites: Racist (49%) Wealthy (29%) Greedy (21%) Dangerous (14%) Intelligent (14%) Do you think the attitudes reflected in these statistics are much different within the body of Christ? Why or why not? Read Romans 13:8-10 • How are all of the commandments about our interactions with others summed up? • From your understanding of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-36), who is our neighbor and how does this apply to Romans 13:8-10? Read John 13:34,35 • How does Jesus say unbelievers will be able to tell if Christianity is real or not? • If the church continues to act the way it has in regards to racial unity, how will this effect the way unbelievers view God and the church? Which of the following best illustrate God’s desire for racial unity? Explain your answer. a. salad bowl – all together, but distinct b. melting pot – all become one c. salt & pepper shakers – separate but equal d. stew pot – all together, being distinct, but adding flavor to others. e. Other ____________________ • “Racial reconciliation doesn’t happen spontaneously. Blacks and whites can work side by side, live side by side, even go to church together, and still not be in a meaningful relationship with one another. The reality of the 1990’s (and 2000’s) is that most blacks and whites are still separated and alienated from each other, and eleven o’clock on Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week.” Raleigh Washington & Glen Kehrein • Do you feel this statement is true? Why or why not? How can real Christ-like love make a difference? What is the difference between integration and reconciliation? Is this a reality on our SITC project? Group Discussion: “Passion for Unity” Review of Day 1: Peter’s Favoritism and Ours • • • • In what ways did Peter’s thoughts and actions change? How would you define showing favoritism? Which of the three “modern day dramas” was most difficult for you to answer? Why? How does your campus movement treat others who are different (culturally, ethnically, racially, etc.) from the majority of the students in your movement? In what ways do you need to be less like the “circumcised believers” in your approach to others? What was your answer to the key questions on the bottom of the page? • • Review of Day 2: Becoming Intentional • • • • • What did the two examples from Scripture teach about our need to be intentional in building friendships with people of different races? Some people claim that if they are intentional about reaching out cross-culturally, that others will notice and accuse them of being insincere, or making friends with them “just because I’m a different color.” How would you respond to someone who had that objection to being intentional? Read the quote on the page of Day #2. What Kingdom choices are you making or will you make to help promote unity? Anything that is really worth something in today’s culture will cost something. What are the costs associated with being intentional? Is it worth it? Why or why not? From the eight steps at the bottom of Day #2, what was your response to the questions on the right? Review of Day 3: The Greatest of these is Love • • • • • • In your opinion, how is the church and/or your campus movement doing in regards to fulfilling the Great Commission (reaching “all ethnos”), and the Great Commandments (loving God and others)? How did you answer the question about the different types of illustrations about racial unity on Day #3? How do you feel about contextualized ministry? Is it okay for their to be white churches and black churches, and hispanic churches or should all the churches unite to become heterogeneous? List the pros and cons for each. Is our SITC experiencing racial unity? Is your ministry team? How does integration differ from racial reconciliation/unity? Give at least three examples. In your opinion, what does the lack of racial unity in churches today say about the quality of Christian love and character in the Church in America as a whole? In what ways has God spoken to you about this issue so far on this SITC project?