One Nation Under God Facilitator's Guide

One Nation Under God Toward Race Reconciliation in the Body of Christ Facilitator’s Guide

By Donna Marie Saunders, Ph.D. and Jean Leak, M.S., RN, LPC Consultant: Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min Communications should be addressed to: Turning Point Ministries, Inc. P. O. Box 22127 Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127 Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version.® Copyright ©1972, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. ©Turning Point, 1999. All rights reserved.

All rights are reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the Turning Point Ministries.

ISBN 1-58119-033-6 Acknowledgements

Cover Design: Graphic Advertising Layout: Beth Close

This work is dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ without whom acceptance by God and oneness with one another would not be possible. We would like to acknowledge our pastor, Rev. Greg Kittredge of River Hill Church(Clarksville, Maryland). Thank you for exercising the humility and courage to begin breaking racial and denominational barriers in our community. You are a blessing to us. To our deceased mothers, Mrs. Monzella Saunders and Rev. Bessie Leak-Tindal, thank you for raising us in the fear of God and teaching us to seek the kingdom first in all that we do. To our dads, Elijah Saunders, M.D., and the late Pastor Elbert Leak, thank you for rearing us in the church that we might learn the ways of God. To Rev. Marion Cattrel (Aunt Marion), thank you for your prayers. To Rev. Bob Mumford and Rev. Luther Blackwell whom we do not know personally. However, through the teachings you gave on reconciliation about a decade ago in Washington, D.C., we were inspired to learn more about the Bible’s instructions on breaking barriers in the body of Christ. Also, to Rev. Jim and Carol Cymbala and The Brooklyn Tabernacle church.

We believe your ministry exemplifies God’s idea of Spiritfilled life and community. God bless you.

About the Authors JEAN LEAK, M.S., R.N., L.P.C. Ms. Jean Leak is a registered nurse and licensed pastoral counselor who trains and practices in the Maryland area. She is cofounder and director of Guide Health, Education, and Research Consultants of Maryland, a consultant service to faith-based communities and human service agencies which desire to integrate facets of ministry practices with health prevention and educational initiatives. Ms. Leak has a wide range of experience in the fields of health, mental health, and ministry. She received her bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University and her master’s degree from Evangelical Theological Seminary. Ms. Leak is currently completing her doctorate in counseling psychology through Cornerstone University. In association with the coauthor, Dr. Donna Saunders, Ms. Leak recently completed a collaborative study on Teen Challenge’s drug treatment program which looked at the effects of religious drug treatment on psychological risk factors of late adolescent and young adult males. The results of this study are currently being submitted for publication. Ms. Leak has also served on research teams regarding studies dealing with high-risk teen pregnancies at such health institutions as the University of Maryland Medical Systems and the Johns Hopkins University.

As an ordained minister, speaker, and trainer, Ms. Leak has spoken to churches, retreats, and conferences on a variety of spiritual growth topics such as overcoming depression, understanding addictions from a theological perspective, and women’s issues in faith experience. Ms. Leak brings a wealth of experience and skill to this project as an African-American and a committed minister of reconciliation.

DONNA SAUNDERS, Ph.D., C.P.C., A.A.C. Dr. Donna Saunders is cofounder of Guide Health, Education, and Research Consultants and serves as subcontractor for several healthcare and research firms in the Maryland area. Dr. Saunders has earned two doctorates of philosophy, one from Howard University with a concentration in counseling psychology and one from Evangelical Theological Seminary with a concentration in clinical pastoral counseling. She also has a wide range of certifications in the field of counseling psychology and pastoral counseling. Dr. Saunders has devoted her career to tracking the relationship between spirituality, health, and social change specifically concentrating her research on the application of religious/spiritual practices in personal and public health prevention with emphasis being placed on the faith community’s role in prevention efforts. Dr. Saunders has spoken to a wide range of audiences including Harvard University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Wheaton College, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Howard University School of Medicine, National Institute for Drug Abuse, and the Department of Defense. Media appearances have included Essence magazine, Howard University Television’s Evening Exchange, Maryland Public Television, and several radio programs throughout the country including the Robert Schuller Hour. Dr Saunders has recently completed a collaborative study of Teen Challenge’s religious drug treatment program which examined the effects of religious treatment on psychological risk factors of late adolescent and young adult males. The results of this study are currently being submitted for publication. Dr. Saunders has a passion for mobilizing the faith community (the church) toward health prevention and social change and is committed to the ministry of reconciliation.

About the Consultant Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee is president of Turning Point Ministries. He has served as a consultant to Dr. Saunders and Ms. Leak in the development of this curriculum. He is the author of Understanding the Times and several small group studies published by Turning Point Ministries.

One Nation Under God Toward Race Reconciliation in the Body of Christ

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ontents

Page Introduction Getting Started

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Suggested Group Format

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Session 1 — One Nation: One in Christ

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Session 2 — One Nation: New Creation, New Relations • • • • • •

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Session 3 — One Nation: Christ as Center

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Session 4 — One Nation: Divided History, United Future Session 5 — One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (I)

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Session 6 — One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (II) • • • • • • • 31 Session 7 — One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (III)

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Session 8 — One Nation: Ruled by One Spirit for the Common Good • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41 Session 9 — One Nation: Making Christ Visible Through Love in Action • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 47 Resources

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Lesson Topics and Objectives One Nation Under God

Lesson Number

Topic

Biblical Theme

Behavioral Objective

1

One Nation: One in Christ

God’s standard for race relations (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Awareness

2

One Nation: New Creation, New Relations

God’s standard for race relations (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)

Awareness

3

One Nation: Christ as Center

God’s standard for race relations (Colossians 1:15-19)

Awareness

4

One Nation: Divided History, United Future

Historical roots of racism (Genesis 11:1-8)

Awareness

5

One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (I)

Uprooting racial division— addressing the problem of prejudice (John 4:4-29)

Awareness & Action

6

One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (II)

Uprooting racial division— the importance of prayer (Acts 10: 1-6, 9-16, 30-34)

Awareness & Action

7

One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (III)

Uprooting racial division— confronting bigotry (Galatians 2:11-21)

Awareness & Action

8

One Nation: Ruled by One Spirit for the Common Good

The enabling role of the Holy Spirit, His character, His intentions (1 Corinthians 12:1-27)

Awareness & Action

9

One Nation: Making Christ Visible Through Love in Action

From awareness to action (John 17:11, 20-23, 13:35; Acts 2:44-47)

Action

Introduction Facilitator’s Guide

This nine-week study pursues the subject of race reconciliation, a highly sensitive but important topic to be addressed in the body of Christ. Christ has made us one as believers through His shed blood at Calvary (Ephesians 2:14). The problem is that we fail to experience this oneness in our Christian lives, particularly in the area of race reconciliation. It has been said that 11 o’clock Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of our Christian existence because Caucasians are in one church while AfricanAmericans and other racial groups are in other churches.

The notion that “never the twain shall meet” has become the prevailing reality among the various ethnic groups in the body of Christ. The fact is that there are consequences for division of any kind. Jesus stated, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). This obvious truth applies to the body of Christ. Regardless of the power that God has given us to triumph over the gates of hell and to witness God’s power to a dying world, such power will not be experi-

enced under the weight of division, particularly racial division. The foundational truth for this entire process then is oneness in Christ. As facilitator, you are to be used of God in moving group members into the experience of race reconciliation (Ephesians 2:14-15). This entails openness to God’s correction in your own life as it relates to this topic given that you can only guide others to places where you have gone or are willing to go. Facilitating also entails a willingness to let the Holy Spirit teach you how to be an active minister of reconciliation.

The Bible lessons to be discussed in the next nine weeks will enable the Holy Spirit to accomplish this work in you.

Some additional pointers to guide your facilitation of this group are:

yet gentleness of spirit applying Jesus’ instructions to His disciples to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16b KJV).

• PURSUE – Apply what you learn in each lesson to your own life so that you may share in the testimony that through Christ and by His Holy Spirit, we indeed are made one new man.

• PREPRAYER – Prepare for each session with prayer to God for wisdom, guidance, and understanding on how to minister reconciliation to the group members. This also means careful and diligent study of the lesson texts and homework assignments prior to the given session.

• PRESENT – Present the lesson with God-given conviction

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Getting Started Group Size We suggest that each One Nation Under God group have 2 group leaders (facilitators) and a maximum of 12 participants. Having more than 12 may prevent some from being a part of much-needed discussion.

Preparation Time The facilitator’s material is written in an almost word-for-word dialogue. However, it is hoped that as you come to know and understand the concepts presented, you will be able to “personalize” each session to fit your own style better. Highlight the points you want to emphasize and make notes for yourself.

Your group is unique—so adapt questions to their needs and situations. Be sensitive to each person who is in your One Nation Under God group.

Keep in mind that the answers provided for the discussion questions are there only as a tool to assist you and may not be the only “right” answers to the questions being asked.

Become thoroughly familiar with the four elements of each session: • Introduction • Self-Awareness • Spiritual Awareness • Application You will find more detail about these on the following pages.

The facilitators should meet prior to each session to pray and make final plans. They should also meet briefly after each session to discuss what happened during the meeting and go over any follow-up that may be needed.

One Nation Under God Group Workbooks Before Session 1, the One Nation Under God Group Workbook should be distributed to each group member. Facilitators should be thoroughly familiar with the workbook before the first meeting.

During the orientation, you will encourage group members to complete the appropriate assignments prior to each group meeting.

Through the readings and other exercises in the workbook, group members can come to each session better prepared for meaningful discussion.

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Suggested Group Format The group format for each session consists of four elements: Introduction, SelfAwareness, Spiritual Awareness, and Application.

There is a reason for each phase. The facilitators should always plan each session with this format in mind.

Part I Introduction (10 minutes) Begin with prayer. The facilitator may pray or may ask one of the group members to lead in prayer. After the prayer, a sharing question helps put the group at ease and makes the members more comfortable in being a part of the discussion. The lead facilitator should respond to the sharing question first, followed by the cofacilitator. This helps the group members to feel safer in participating in the exercise. After the facilitators have shared, the group members will share one after another around the circle.

Always remind group members they are not expected to share if they do not wish to do so. The rule is that everyone works within his or her comfort level and is welcome to pass.

This is not the time for detailed conversation, so ask the members of the group to keep their comments brief. If a person is obviously in pain during the exercise, the facilitator should interrupt the sharing and pray for the person in pain. After prayer, the exercise may resume.

Part II Self-Awareness (20-25 minutes) After the sharing question, the facilitator will lead the group into the Self-Awareness phase. Self-Awareness is a time to discuss the practical issues involved in One Nation Under God. It is important to stay on the subject matter.

This is a time to focus on needs and healing, not to have a “martyr” or “pity party.”

It is suggested in SelfAwareness that the facilitators ask the group members to share as they wish rather than going around the circle as in the Introduction phase. This is because people are at various comfort levels, and they should not feel pressured to self-disclose if they are uncomfortable. As the group continues to meet, members will feel more and more comfortable in being a part of the discussion.

tator should assign Scriptures listed in the Facilitator’s Guide to group members.

When each Scripture is called by the facilitator, the group member should read the verse(s). After the verses are read, give time for discussion.

Part IV Application (20 minutes) This part is actually a continuation of Part III. Ask for volunteers to share their reflections on the question. The facilitators should emphasize the importance of the group members’ applying biblical principles to their lives. Help begins with right thinking. The Bible says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Obedience to the Word should follow with right behavior. Right feelings will follow right thinking and right behavior.

Remember, prayer is always in order. If a group member is hurting during this phase, stop and pray. One of the facilitators may lead in prayer or ask another group member to pray. This says to the group members that each one is important and that you care about each individual.

Part III Spiritual Awareness (20-25 minutes) After the Self-Awareness phase, the facilitator will lead the group into the bible study time. Having briefly explained the topic, the facili-

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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1One Nation: One in Christ

Session

I

ntroduction Opening Prayer

Allow 10 Minutes Briefly thank God for every person in the group and ask Him to help each member understand the importance of oneness in Christ.

Sharing Question

The purpose of this question is to break the ice and help each group begin sharing a little about themselves. It is also to start them thinking about how it feels to be rejected or accepted by others.

What kind of people did you hang out with when you were in elementary school?

-or-

Personal response.

Were you popular or unpopular in school? What was it like to be regarded that way by your peers?

S

elf-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

Imagine yourself as a 13-year-old child who has to move to a foreign land with your missionary parents. You have been taken out of a school that you were familiar with and away from your friends. In this foreign land, you don’t look, act, or speak like everybody else. You are regarded as a stranger and are mocked and made fun of by all the kids your age.

• Your objective is to help members identifywith how it feels to be rejected because of how one is born or how one looks or talks. You want to help them recognize their own need to feel accepted and be regarded as an equal, particularly when they are in a new and strange environment.

• Use this story to get members thinking about things they can do to help persons different from themselves to feel accepted.

• Have someone in the group read this opening story aloud.

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Session 1

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

How would you respond in this situation?

Personal response.

How would you feel?

Personal response.

How would you likely do in school because of this situation?

Personal response.

What would you need in order to be comfortable with your new life in this foreign land?

Personal response.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In Even more important than being accepted by people that we like is being accepted by God. What are some ways that acceptance by God and acceptance by people are alike?

Personal response.

How is acceptance by God diff e rent from acceptance by people?

He always accepts us; whereas, people often do not. “He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

God will never reject those who come to Him. God accepts and loves me just the way I am. Man requires that I meet a certain standard in order to be accepted and loved; God does not.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 1

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S

piritual-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

On our journey toward oneness in the body of Christ, we will visit different locations in Scripture to increase our spiritual awareness. We will start with a passage that actually teaches about oneness in Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-12 Who is the Apostle Paul addressing here?

What was the predicament of these people before they received Christ?

Ephesians 2:13-14 How did Christ’s death on the cross change their hopeless condition?

They were people who were formally Gentiles by birth, called the uncircumcised, and separated from God because they were, by race, Gentiles and not Jews.

It gave access to the Father through Christ Jesus.

What does it mean to destroy a barrier?(v.14)

To tear it down so that it no longer exists.

What does this suggest about how God sees the relationship between Jews and Gentiles?

Jews and Gentiles are no longer divided in God’s sight because the barrier is no longer there.

Ephesians 2:15 Why did Christ destroy the dividing wall of hostility that kept Jews in God’s family and Gentiles out?

Ephesians 2:18 What spiritual benefit did Gentiles receive as a result of the peace that came through Jesus Christ?

Romans 8:15-17 How does the one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, give Gentiles access to the Father?

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The Gentiles.

Session 1

Christ’s purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of two, thus making peace.

Gentile believers are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. They are accepted

by God as equals to the Jewish race and are being built up together with believing Jews on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Ephesians 2:21-22 Why did(is) Christ join(ing) Jews and Gentiles together as one new man created in Him?

What happens if we as believers do not allow Christ to build us up together?

Ephesians 2:19-20 What is the new status of Gentiles who are believers in Christ?

To be “a holy temple in the Lord ... become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Personal response.

Gentile believers are “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” They are accepted

by God. They are being built up together with believing Jews on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Who are the Gentiles the Apostle Paul is addressing today?

Non-Jewish believers.

How does the gospel of Jesus Christ break down barriers that divide people by race? (Read Ephesians 2:13-14.)

Jesus breaks down barriers through the blood He shed on the cross. This brings peace between believers of different races. We are “brought near through the blood of Christ.”

Why is it that some churches maintain dividing walls that keep certain people out and other people in?

These churches have not awakened to the reconciling power of the blood of Jesus. This is sometimes because of fear, ignorance, and even prejudice.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 1

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How can this problem be overcome?

Personal response.

How does your church family treat people who are socially or racially different?

Personal response.

How should believers treat people who are socially or racially different? (Ephesians 2:19).

As brothers and sisters, fellow members of the family of God.

If God were speaking to your church family about being one in Christ, would He give words of praise or rebuke?

Personal response.

What is every Christian’s relationship to every other Christian regardless of race, gender, social class, etc.?

We are all family members.

What is your role in helping your local church family show unity in Christ?

Pray about and suggest ways in which your local church can reach out to people who are racially different from you; e.g., blacks worship with whites, have fellowship events together.

Session 1

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

How can you show God’s love to an outsider this week?

Personal response.

To what Christian individuals or groups who are different from you could you extend the peace of Christ this week?

Personal response.

How?

Personal response.

What do you want to receive during this course?

Spiritual growth? Strengthened resolve to remove barriers? Understanding? Friendships? Freedom from prejudice?

Write a prayer based on Psalm 139:23-24.

Ask for volunteers to share their prayers.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 1

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Homework Ask the Lord to direct you to reach out to someone who is different (racially or socially) and to help you overcome any fears you may have about doing so. Be prepared to share your experience and what you learned from it in the next session.

Closing Prayer In your prayer, summarize Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

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Session 1

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

2 One Nation: New Creation,

Session

New Relations I

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objectives: (a) That participants will understand what it means to be new creatures in Christ, and (b) that participants will actively pursue the experience of doing away with old [worldly] ways of thinking and embrace new (Christ-centered) ways of thinking about themselves: their past, present, and future; and those of others in the body of Christ.

Opening Prayer

Have a group member pray for God’s blessings on the lesson that hearts will be open to receive what the Holy Spirit wants to teach the group about new life in Christ. Welcome the Holy Spirit as teacher, counselor, and healer of broken relationships.

Sharing Question

S

Think of a time when you had to work with others as a team to get a job done (e.g., sports, project on the job, a play, a conc e rt, etc.). What things did each of you have to do in order to successfully achieve the goal? In what way could division among you have hindered you from achieving the team’s goal?

The object of this exercise is to get the members to understand the importance of oneness for accomplishing goals, even in the body of Christ. It is also to help them understand how division can hinder achievement of team goals.

elf-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

You have been given the opportunity to live on another planet for one year to experience and explore what life is like there .

What is unique about this planet (called Innocence) is that no crime exists here. You are told that locks are not used for doors because there are no burglaries and that banks are not used for the safekeeping of money because no one steals. In fact, the whole planet is built on trust and faith in one another.

The object of this segment is that members understand what being a “new creature” is like. It’s like moving to another planet that is strangely different from what we are used to. While “boldly going where no one has gone before” can be exciting, it can also be quite scary because we’re venturing into the

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 2

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unknown. For many people, entering into “family relationships” with persons of other cultures is like entering another world, another planet where people dance to a beat that is unfamiliar. This takes some getting used to. As facilitator, you are to help group members see that the fears associated with such an experience a re a normal part of the process.

How trusting would you feel about leaving your valuables (camera, money, science equipment, etc.) in your new “unlocked” living quarters? (Explain your answer.)

Personal response.

For those who would have difficulty trusting immediately, what would it take for you to become as trusting as the rest of the people on this planet?

Personal response.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In Give some reasons why people resist new experiences.

This segment brings the discussion of new experiences to a spiritual level thus preparing the member to explore biblical truths about new experiences in Christ.

How do these reasons apply to new experiences in our spiritual lives?

Reasons may include: fear of the unknown, fear of being hurt or harmed, fear of losing control, fear of being shamed or embarrassed.

We can often resist growth in Christ because we are afraid of failure or afraid that God will do something to devastate us. Sometimes we are merely satisfied to stay in our place of immaturity because it is comfortable and involves less responsibility.

Whatever the reason, these resistances serve as hindrances to growth and should be overcome through faith and determination. While acknowledging the normalcy of these reasons, you are to help them to see the importance of dealing with them appropriately.

Are new experiences easy for you?

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Session 2

Have group members share their answer to this question. What they should discover is that change comes more easily for some than for others

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

and that fear of change is a normal part of growth. As facilitator, you are to encourage members to face the challenge of new life and experience in Christ with boldness and courage rather than avoid it because of fear. Help them to see that the true rewards of being a Christian are experienced by those who are willing to “boldly go where no one has gone before.” (Feel free to add your own insights without violating the time limits.)

S

piritual-Awareness As we continue on our journey toward oneness in Christ, we will look at what the Lord teaches about being a new creature in Christ. We will also explore how this teaching should influence our perception of God, ourselves, and others in the body of Christ.

Allow 20–25 Minutes You may read this segment aloud to the group instructing them to turn to the cited passage of Scripture.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 We should regard no one from a “worldly point of view.” (v.16) What does it mean to regard people from a “worldly point of view”?

Ephesians 2:1-6 At what point in our lives did we look on others from a fleshly (worldly) point of view?

A “worldly point of view” may have to do with how a person looks, what a person possesses or lacks, and/or who a person knows. You may want to ask them for examples of regarding someone from the worldly perspective (e.g., treating some special because they are rich or famous while ignoring others because they are “nobodies”). If there is time, you may want to note what James teaches about showing partiality to the rich while ignoring the poor (James 2:1-9).

Before we came to Christ, we saw things from a fleshly point of view.

The Scripture says that we lived according to the ways of this world which meant our thinking, our speaking, and our perceptions were worldly. But now we are alive in

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 2

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Christ! Hallelujah. Help the students to appreciate this.

Ephesians 2:14-15; Colossians 3:17 Now that we are in Christ, how are we as believers to look upon others, particularly fellow believers? Why?

Why is it sometimes difficult not to look upon others from a “worldly point of view?”

Romans 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Galatians 5:17 What are the consequences of being worldly minded in our thinking concerning ourselves and others?

We are to look upon one another through the eyes of Jesus Christ who sees us as one family of believers.

We place no importance on a person’s race, gender, economic status, etc. Our worth is based on who we belong to, not what we have. We take on this kind of thinking because Christ wants us to.

This world teaches us to judge the value of a person by outward characteristics–education, wealth, beauty, etc. It is hard to suddenly change those values once we get in Christ.

When we remain worldly minded, we continue to allow the sinful nature to enslave us (Romans 6:6-7). We open up the door for envy, jealousy, and division to rule us and to make us changed people living unchanged lives (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). As a result of these actions, we do not follow the Holy Spirit who dwells in and among us. (Galatians 5:17) .

2 Corinthians 5:17 New creations: “The old has gone, the new has come!”

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What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says that we who are in Christ are new creations?

Help members to understand that life in Christ involves a brand new way of living and experiencing things.

How is being a new cre a t u re diff e rent from being a repaired, refurbished, or reformed cre a t u re?

Christ went beyond reforming or repairing us as old, sinful creatures.

The new birth experience involves a brand new beginning in a brand new world involving a brand new outlook on life.

Why does God make us brand new creatures rather than reform us as old creatures?

The old man was ruined by sin and caused us death. To be free from sin’s power, our old, fleshly selves had to be crucified through faith in Christ. We now are made alive

Session 2

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

through Christ as new people (Romans 6:4).

Philippians 3:2-9 Compare this passage with 2 Corinthians 5:17. Describe.

An examination of this passage illustrates what it means to abandon the old life and completely embrace our new identity in Christ. Help members to see that the price for knowing Christ in all of His glory involves letting go of the old way of thinking about oneself and laying hold to Christ’s view.

What were Paul’s credentials before he received Christ? (vv.5-6)

“ C i rcumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”

How did Paul regard his credentials after he had received Christ? (v.7)

As “loss for the sake of Christ.”

How did Paul view his putting “confidence in the flesh?”(v.7)

He considered “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus.” (v.7)

How does this truth about “old things” being past away apply to your life, particularly as it relates to race reconciliation?

Our significance is not based on our worldly accomplishments or lack of them. Our significance is based on Christ and His ongoing work of redemption in us (Romans 6:22-23).

What are some “confidence in the flesh” issues that confront you?

Personal response.

Colossians 3:5-17; Galatians 5:16 According to this passage, how do we as believers accomplish the task of seeing old things as passed away and seeing everything in our lives as new?

Through obedience to God’s Word and dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are able to embrace new life in Christ. Jesus said that without the Father, He could do nothing (John 5:19). On the other

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hand, nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). God will empower us to be what He’s called us to be!

Hallelujah!

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pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

What old things in your life have past away and been replaced by new things since you have become a Christian? How has the change made your life better?

Personal response.

What old things do you struggle with letting go and allowing the Lord to replace them with the new? What makes it difficult for you to let go?

Personal response.

Homework Spend time in prayer this week asking the Holy Spirit to help you to let go of old things; e.g., attitudes, desires, hang-ups, etc., and embrace the new.

Closing Prayer End the session in prayer that the lessons learned will be applied in their lives.

Pray for any specific needs and/or issues mentioned. Thank God for the new present and future we have in Christ.

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3 One Nation: Christ as Center

Session

I

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objective: That participants will focus on Christ as the supreme center of their faith and actions. Your role as facilitator is to help them see Christ’s lordship as the basis of their commitment to be reconciled with their brothers and sisters from all cultural and social backgrounds. Help them to recognize that as the saying goes, “The ground is level at the foot of the cross” so that everyone stands equal in status in the eyes of Christ.

Opening Prayer

Have participants pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation for Jesus’s lordship in their lives. Have them pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in submitting to the will of the Father to be reconciled with all members of the body of Christ.

Sharing Question

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What is a standard and why is it important? (An example of standards is the Ten Commandments.)

Participants are to see that a standard provides the basis for judging what is right or wrong.

Give an example in which a standard or set of rules was important for you and explain why.

Have three or four participants answer this question. Examples could include rules for driving or guidelines for how and where in the house children can play safely. The idea is to help participants see that standards are important for safety and success in life.

elf-Awareness Steve Irkle of the sitcom Family Matters went away to college for a brief period to study science. The college he attended was full of geniuses, most of whom looked, dressed, and acted like Steve (high-water slacks, glasses, a cackling laugh which ended in a snort). Consequently, the Steve that was once regarded as a nerd in high school was now an admired hero in college. He was “in.” Being the intelligent person that you are, you also enrolled in this school of geniuses. However,

Allow 20-25 Minutes This scenario is to raise the participants’ awareness of our tendency to judge a book by its cover. It is also to get them to see what wrong conclusions can be made about people in the absence of a correct and fair standard.

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you did not fit the stereotype because you dressed “cool.” As a matter of fact, you were the admired hero in your high school because you were so fashionable. Your fashionable look led these college students to conclude that you were like all of the other jazzy people they left in high school: all beauty and no brains. They are sure you will fail in this college because you do not have the brains to succeed.

Are these students judging your ability to succeed in this school fairly and correctly? Explain your answer.

No. You can never accurately judge a book by its cover. Who a person is has to be determined by what comes out of them, not how they look.

In the final analysis, how will the school determine whether you can succeed or fail?

The grades a student makes determine whether they will succeed or fail in school. If a student makes A’s and B’s, they will succeed in this college regardless of their looks.

What could happen to you if the school dropped its grading standards and let your fellow students decide whether you qualified to pass or fail?

The fashionable student will probably be judged as a failure because of how he/she looks rather than his/her grade performance..

Consequently, why is a standard so important for determining how we should be treated?

It insures that each one of us is treated and judged fairly regardless of what people think of us and our appearance.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In Just as there are standards by which our righteousness, guilt,

or innocence is judged in the eyes of the world, so there are standards for judging our righteousness in the eyes of God. Consequently, persons who are well-respected and highly regarded in the eyes of the world can be viewed very differently in God’s eyes. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:9-12 that there is no one righteous and that all [people], both Jews and Greeks, are under sin. The prophet Isaiah backs this up by saying that “all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

This means that all of us need forgiveness and salvation in the eyes of God regardless of our social status or ethnic background. We all stand in need of God’s plan to save us through Jesus’s death on the cross. Indeed, the ground is level at the foot of the cross and we all are in equal standing before God, deserving of His wrath yet recipients of His grace through God’s standard of righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s learn more about who He is.

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Session 3

This paragraph introduces the Spiritual Awareness topic which deals with the supremacy of Christ as the standard for our righteousness.

Read this paragraph aloud as a leadin to Spiritual Awareness.

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piritual-Awareness

Now we will look at the supremacy of Christ and our place in the presence of God.

Allow 20-25 Minutes Assign verses to group members to be read aloud.

Colossians 1:15-23 Christ, the Supreme Standard of Righteousness Who is Christ in light of all creation? (vv.15-17)

Christ is: • The image of the invisible God. • The one in whom all creation exists.

• The one for and under whom all authorities, powers, rulers, and thrones are created.

• Before all things, one by whom all things hold together.

Who is Christ in relation to the entire Church of Jesus Christ? (v.18)

Christ is: • The head (or chief authority) of the Church.

• The one who has supremacy over all things.

Who is Christ in relation to God? (v.19)

Christ is the one in whom all of God’s fullness dwells.

How much importance should we place on Christ’s opinion of us and others who are different from us (persons of another race, gender, or economic status)?

We should place supreme importance on what Christ has to say about any individual. This means Christ’s word on a matter is the last and final word, and it is right!

Isaiah 6:1-5 Man’s Place in the Presence of God Describe what Isaiah saw in verses 1-4.

Isaiah saw the Lord high and exalted sitting on a throne. God was in the position of a king worthy of reverence. Isaiah also saw the angels worshipping God and calling HIm holy.

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What did Isaiah mean by “woe to me” in verse 5?

Isaiah meant that he saw himself as ruined and full of sin.

How did Isaiah see himself and his people after seeing the Lord?

As sinful, and ruined.

In the same way, in what condition are we in the presence of God without Christ?

Sinful and ruined.

Is anyone righteous?

Romans 3:23 In light of Christ’s sovereignty and holiness and on the basis of this passage, can anyone of us claim greater righteousness before God than someone else for any reason? Explain.

No. All of us stand sinful before God and full of “woe” as Isaiah said. We all stand equally in need of God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

John 8:1-9 Based on this story, how does Christ respond to people who re g a rd the sinfulness of others as greater than their own?

Christ reminds such people of their own sinfulness which makes them unworthy to condemn anyone.

Ephesians 2:4-6 What three things make us acceptable to God?

God’s love, God’s mercy, and God’s grace.

Was there anything we had, anything about us, or any work that we did that made us acceptable to God?

Not one thing. We are saved by grace and that not of ourselves but a gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 In light of God’s holiness and His critical and primary role in effecting our salvation through Christ, how important is our race, gender, socioeconomic status, or our worldly achievements?

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Session 3

Not important at all. In this new world or spiritual kingdom into which we were born, race, gender, class, and worldly achievements are of no significance in the eyes of Christ.

(See Colossians 1:26-29). Please emphasize this to the class and read this passage in Colossians if necessary.

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A

pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

In addition to being the Supreme Standard of Righteousness, Jesus Christ is our example for words and deeds. His attitude and actions in Philippians 2:5-8 are a pattern for us to follow.

What kind of mind did Jesus have?

Jesus had a humble or lowly mind in which He did not regard His equality with God as something about which to be prideful. Christ humbled Himself and became a servant and was obedient to His very death on the cross.

How should we apply Christ’s example in our relationships with one another?

We should be humble servants to one another and not regard the achievements or status of our race, gender, family, etc., as a basis for pride.

Homework Take some time this week to examine ways in which you have been prideful about some aspect of your life and been tempted to look down on another person because they were not like you. While spending time in God’s presence, ask Him to heal you in that area and to show you how to be a servant like Christ.

Closing Prayer End the session in prayer praising God for the supremacy of Jesus and for making us all children of God through Jesus Christ. Ask God’s help in overcoming self-righteousness and prideful attitudes and instead, to become servants to all believers and all of humankind.

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4 One Nation: Divided

Session

History, United Future

I

Allow 10 Minutes

ntroduction

Objectives: That participants understand (a) how the races became divided, and (b) how to avoid mistakes made in history in order to secure a united future as believers.

Have the group pray for a deeper understanding of how the races became divided and for the wisdom and will to bring the races back together.

Opening Prayer

Sharing Question

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Assuming that we learn something new every day, what valuable lesson did you learn this week?

Have three or four participants answer this question.

elf-Awareness

Allow 20-25 Minutes

Michael McReynolds, who works in the ministry of reconciliation, states: America’s past is littered with examples of a divided nation. The abuse and domination of American Indians, slavery of African-Americans, reconstruction, segregation, confinement camps for Asian-Americans and institutional racism are but a few examples that can be cited.

Much of the same can be said about other countries such as the aboriginal people in Australia. Morrie Thompson, an Australian pastor, states: “But this I know. Australia must own its past; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Repair what it can and move on. We have no future until we reconcile our own past.”

We have heard it said that “those who don’t learn from their history are bound to repeat it.”

What do you think about this statement?

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Session 4

The main idea is that people who do not learn from past mistakes are likely to repeat those mistakes.

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What things has history taught you? (The historical source could be the Bible or modern history stories.)

Have one or two students respond to these questions. The questions are designed to prime group members for the discussion dealing with the historical mistakes which led to racial division in the earth.

Have you ever failed to learn from past mistakes? If yes, what happened?

We tend to repeat mistakes when we don’t learn from the past.

How can we avoid repeating mistakes from the past?

Learn from them, accept correction, and grow.

Spiritual Awareness Lead-In

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A good source for learning from history is the Bible. The passage that will be discussed today exemplifies how we can learn lessons from history. See Genesis 11:1-8.

Read this lead-in aloud for the group and select someone to read the Spiritual Awareness passage.

piritual-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

This passage tells us the reason for the scattering and multiple languages and cultures experienced by the inhabitants of the earth. They were unified but for the wrong reason.

Genesis 11:1-8 In what condition was the whole world after the flood? (vv.1-2)

The world was one. Participants need to see that humankind was not always divided by race, gender, or social status. After the flood in Gen esis 6-8, the world was one in language, in aspiration, in geographical location, and in action.

What evidence is seen of the people’s togetherness? (vv.3-4)

They communicated with one another, worked together, and set goals together.

What specifically caused the Lord to come down and look at what the people were doing? (vv.4-5)

Their unified effort to build a city that would go to the heavens.

What were their motives for this project? (v.4)

To make a name for themselves and to prevent being scattered over the face of the whole earth.

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What did God conclude about the ability of the people to speak one language and be one people? (v.6)

That nothing would be impossible for them to do because of their oneness.

What does this tell us about the power of unity?

Where there is unity there is much strength even if it is for the wrong reasons.

What did God do to deal with the people’s oneness? (vv.7-9)

God confused the language of the people and scattered them all over the earth thereby stopping them from building the city to heaven.

How do you explain the fact that God divided the people in this passage while Jesus prayed for us to be one in John 17:22 ?

Unity of itself is not necessarily good.

The only oneness that God accepts as good is oneness in Christ. These people were united but not in Christ and for the wrong reason. Their purpose was prideful and offensive against the holiness of God (e.g., building to the heavens meant they sought equality with God and divine acceptance through human effort).

What will happen to us if we seek power and success through oneness outside of Christ (racial unity or racism, gender unity or sexism, class unity or classism, denominational unity or denominationalism, political unity, etc.)?

God will scatter us like He scattered the builders of this city. Oneness outside of Christ and His purposes is destined to fail because God will not let it succeed! Emphasize this to the group as it is very important.

In what ways do you think this statement is true: The Church of Jesus Christ is God’s antidote to the Tower of Babel. In your life, how can you help build toward this Christ-centered unity?

The Church of Jesus Christ is God’s antidote to the Tower of Babel because it’s unity is based in the person of Christ, not in the organization of man. Christ-centered unity, not man-centered unity, will withstand the test of time and have the approval of God.

Matthew 23:12 “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Based on this passage, what is the best posture to take if we want God to build our lives to fullness?

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Session 4

We must humble ourselves. This cannot be emphasized enough. The key to reconciliation of any kind is humility before God and people of all kinds. Feel free to point this out to the group.

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A

pplication

The lesson of the Tower of Babel teaches how pride can lead to division and ultimate failure. Think of an area in your life in which you are experiencing division with a sister or brother in Christ. Acknowledge specifically an incident and/or situation(s) where you have failed in the area of reconciliation.

Prayerfully examine how pride is playing a role in the division.

Share that area with a partner in the group and have him/her pray for you in that area. You do the same for him/her.

Allow 20 Minutes Have the group to break into prayer partners. After praying for each other and as time permits, have each to briefly report their prayer to the whole group.

Homework Take time this week to address the area of relationship division that you thought about today and take steps to use humility to overcome it. Prepare to report the results to the group as they occur.

Closing Prayer Have the group thank the Lord for the lesson learned today and ask that He will help each member apply this in their daily lives.

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5

Session

I

One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (I)

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objective: That participants understand what prejudice is and how it blocks us from receiving the blessings of God that are in Christ and in one another.

Opening Prayer

Feel free to open the session with a familiar song. Have the group pray for the Holy Spirit’s insight in this lesson on prejudice.

Sharing Question Think about a time when you were misjudged.

How did it feel and why?

What would you say this person missed out on by misjudging you?

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Have three or four participants answer this question. This section is to facilitate group members’ insight on what it feels like to be misjudged or prejudged and to help them understand that there are consequences to prejudging people and situations (e.g., you can miss out on wonderful blessings).

elf-Awareness

Allow 20 – 25 Minutes

Today we will be learning about prejudice. Prejudice is the act of prejudging someone on the basis of something other than fact. For example, I assume that a person is unfriendly for some explainable or irrational reason (maybe because of the neighborhood in which they live).

Have three or four members answer these questions.

What are some ways in which we prejudge people? (Give personal examples if possible.)

We prejudge people on the basis of how they dress, what their family members are like, stereotypes given by the media of this person’s ethnic group, etc. The whole idea is for members to know that we are all prone to prejudicial behavior and need the love of God to free us from this tendency.

According to Hebrews 13:2, what is the danger of rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from you and, in that sense, a stranger to you.

We could actually miss the blessing of God’s visitation upon us by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. This was the mistake that the people of Jesus’s

Session 5

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time made when they rejected Him as the promised Messiah and king.

Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected, they crucified the Lord of Glory.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In The Bible passage that we will study deals with the problem of p rejudice. As we re a d John 4:4-29, be thinking about how prejudice develops in people’s lives and what are its spiritual consequences.

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piritual-Awareness

Read this lead-in aloud for the group and select someone to read the Spiritual Awareness passage.

Allow 20–25 Minutes

The popular phrase, “What Would Jesus Do” (WWJD), applies here in the way He dealt with prejudice.

Jesus does the unexpected.

John 4:4-29 Why was it such an unusual thing for Jesus to ask this Samaritan woman for something to drink? (vv.7-9)

Some of the class may already know about Jewish customs and be able to answer the question. If not, explain to the group that (a) Jewish people did not associate with Samaritans because they regarded them as half-breeds (products of interracial marriages), and (b) Jewish men did not carry on meaningful conversations or fellowship with women as they were regarded as inferior to men.

What is the first reaction of this woman when Jesus asks her for a drink? (v.9)

One of surprise because He was a Jew asking her, a Samaritan, for water. The key is that she first saw Jesus’ ethnicity before seeing anything else.

Based on this woman’s statement to Jesus in verse 9, what assumptions was this woman making about Jesus?

That He would not or should not be interested in associating with Samaritans. That He was supposed to hate Samaritans like all of the rest of the Jews.

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Based on Jesus’s response to this woman in verse 10, what was this woman’s racial prejudice blinding her to? (Also see verses 14 and 20.)

This woman’s prejudice was blinding her to the gift of God in the person of Jesus Christ as well as the living water He could offer to quench her inner thirst for satisfaction and fulfillment. This insight reveals the grave consequences of rejecting the Lord’s visitation because of prejudice of any kind. Help the group realize that some of the best gifts in life come in seemingly insignificant and unexpected packages.

What had to be surre n d e red by this woman in order for her to receive the living water Jesus was offering her? (You may list m o re than one thing.)

This woman had to give up (a) her prejudice against Jews, (b) her allegiance to the Samaritan traditions, (c) her belief that immorality was the only source of satisfaction and fulfillment in life, and (d) her resistance to receive from Jesus. Members of the group may identify other things also.

How did she use religion to support her prejudicial views? (v.20)

“Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

In the same way, what must we surrender in order to receive the living water that Jesus wants to give us?

The idea is for the group to grasp that prejudice and preconceptions must be surrendered to Jesus before we can receive the fullness of joy and the life that He wants to give us.

The consequences of rejecting God’s gifts because of prejudice.

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What would have been the consequences if the Samaritan woman had rejected Jesus by holding onto her cultural tradition of being prejudice against Jews?

This woman would never have received the living water that Jesus gave her. Consequently, she would have remained empty and involved in abusive, unsatisfying relationships.

Her thirst, which was really spiritual in nature, would never have been quenched.

In the same way, what are the consequences that we suffer when we reject the gift of God because of the race, gender, or status in which the gift is wrapped?

We will miss the joys of life in Christ, the fulfillment and satisfaction that Christ offers to us through diverse

Session 5

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members of the body of Christ. It is perhaps prejudice that has caused the dissatisfaction that some believers are experiencing in their Christian walk.

If this is the case, we must surrender that prejudice to God in order to experience the fullness of what God has for us. (Emphasize this to the members as it is very important.)

Freed from emptiness to fullness in just one encounter.

What became of this woman as a result of surrendering her prejudice and receiving the gift of God in Jesus Christ?(v.39)

This woman became a person of influence through whom many came to believe in Jesus. She moved from being a person who was rejected and regarded as inferior (because of her race and gender) to being a person who influenced many to believe (an evangelist). This shows the transforming power of one encounter with Christ—a power that is available to all who will surrender their all to Him (their ideas, preconceived notions, prejudices, etc.).

In the same way, how will surrendering our prejudice and receiving from Jesus affect our lives and testimony?

This act will result in a transformed, fulfilled life and a powerful, effective testimony. There is a direct link between a renewed mind and a transformed life which proves what is God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

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pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

There are many forms of prejudice that can creep into our lives. Name some other forms of prejudice by which we can be affected.

Examples could be religious prejudice, gender prejudice, educational, experiential, etc.

Describe forms of prejudice you have experienced as both a receiver and a giver.

Personal response.

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Jesus taught us to pray to the Heavenly Father like this, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” However it is done in heaven is how God wills for it to be done on earth.

Read Revelation 7:9-10. How do they worship in Heaven?

Revelation shows that ethnic groups intermingle and worship God together in heaven.

What is the heavenly Father seeking for on earth?

God seeks those on earth that will worship Him in this spirit and truth.

God’s will is integration, not segregation. Doing God’s will means combating polarization through reconciliation.

Homework Reflect upon the kinds of prejudice that have affected your life and consider how it has kept you from receiving the living water that Christ has for you. Take time this week to pray about those areas of hindrance so that you may be free to receive the gift of God.

Closing Prayer Have the group thank the Lord for the lesson learned today and ask that He help each member apply this in their daily lives.

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6

Session

I

One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (II)

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objective: That participants understand and appreciate the critical role of prayer in overcoming racial as well as other kinds of barriers which divide the body of Christ.

Opening Prayer

Thank the Holy Spirit for the lessons that have been learned thus far about breaking the barriers of racism and other divisions in the body of Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to take the group deeper into the understanding of reconciliation through the study of this lesson.

Sharing Question

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Would anyone like to share what you learned in your time of reflection this week?

You may start the session by getting a sense of how the group is doing.

elf-Awareness

Allow 20 – 25 Minutes

What is a comfort zone? A comfort zone refers to a known situation or set of behaviors that is comfortable for an individual (for example, people who are shy find silence to be their comfort zones; that is, they are comfortable being quiet).

This section is to prepare the group for today’s lesson which deals with moving out of one’s comfort zone to experience the deeper truths of God.

When have you ever been challenged to come out of your comfort zone?

Have two or three members answer this question. Examples could be performing before a group of people, moving to a new school or job, or accepting a job promotion which will call for more skills and responsibilities than the person was used to.

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How did it make you feel to come out of your comfort zone?

Most people feel nervous (butterflies in their stomachs) and like ru n n i n g away because they do not want to do it.

For those who accepted the challenge to leave your comfort zone, how did the experience benefit you?

Most people feel good about succeeding at a challenge. It builds their confidence to take on new challenges that are not terribly comfortable. The key here is that new experiences, no matter how uncomfortable, tend to produce growth and personal satisfaction.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In Today we will be learning about someone who had to move out of his comfort zone in order to discern the will of God. Please turn to Acts 10 and someone read verses 1-6, then read verses 9-16, and finally read verses 30-34.

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piritual-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

In this passage we see how God helps us to break out of our comfort zones into insights, vision, and new friendships.

God hears the sincere prayer of the sinner.

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Who was Cornelius? (v.1)

Cornelius was a “God-fearing” Centurion. He was a Gentile who embraced Jewish beliefs.

According to verse 4, why did the angels come to Cornelius?

Cornelius’s prayers and gifts to the poor got God’s attention. Members should be helped to see how prayer and acts of kindness to those in need invite God’s favor and visitation upon our lives. (Note: Just as the evil acts of the builders of the Tower of Babel invited God’s judgment, acts of kindness and prayer invite God’s visitation and blessing.)

Why was the angel’s instruction for Cornelius to send for Peter so unusual? (v. 5)

Jews did not associate with Gentiles; consequently, this man was instructed to ask Peter to break a Jewish tradition.

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God prepares the way through prayer.

While Cornelius is being instructed by the angel, the scene switches to Peter.

What is Peter doing when the vision comes to him? (v.9)

Peter was praying. You should help members to see how interesting things happen when we pray.

What did Peter see in his vision? (vv.11-13)

“He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ”

Why did Peter object to eating the food that was set before him? (v.14)

According to Jewish law, Jewish people were not to eat the kind of food that was set before Peter.

How do you imagine Peter felt when he was asked to eat this food given his strict Jewish background?

Shocked, afraid, uncomfortable are just some adjectives that the members may give. The point here is that Peter’s vision was challenging him to come out of his comfort zone. He was being asked to do something that he had never done.

What was God referring to when He told Peter, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean”? (v.15)

God was referring to people that He has cleansed from sin. The main point they should see is that God’s cleansing is enough to make an unclean thing acceptable.

What was Peter’s discovery after he met Cornelius and heard about his angelic visitation?(vv.34-35)

Peter realized that God does not favor one nation above another but accepts all people.

What do you imagine Peter, a staunch Jew, felt about this discovery?

He could have felt surprised, humbled, or perhaps just uncomfortable.

Whatever the reaction, members need to understand that God’s ways are very different from ours and can create discomfort in us.

After Peter realized God was opening the way for people of all nations to come to Christ, he proceeded to preach the gospel to Cornelius and his household. What was the result and explain its significance. (v v.45-48)

Cornelius and his household, all of whom were Gentiles, received the same reward that the Jews experienced in the Upper Room, the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were received by Christ and baptized.

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What role did prayer play in this historical event?

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pplication

Prayer unlocked Peter’s understanding of God’s plan to save all people.

It also was the mechanism by which Cornelius received the opportunity to enter the family of God.

Allow 20 Minutes

Think about the important role that prayer played in destroying the barrier between Peter (a Jew) and Cornelius (a Gentile).

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In the same way, what role will prayer play in our efforts to overcome racial (and other) barriers in the body of Christ?

(Explain your answer.)

Prayer plays a critical role in achieving oneness among believers. So critical is the role of prayer that even Jesus used prayer to address His desire that His followers be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:22). Members must see this truth as the basis for making oneness in the body of Christ a target of intense, intercessory prayer. One preacher said, “Little prayer, little power; much prayer, much power.” It is the power which comes from prayer that we need to break down the barriers of racial division which is a device of Satan.

Peter could be nicknamed “The Reluctant Apostle of Racial Reconciliation.” What are some reasons why you may be reluctant to be involved in the ministry of racial reconciliation?

Personal response.

What scriptural solutions does God provide to help you overcome your reluctance to pursue unity in the Body of Christ?

See 2 Timothy 1:7 and Hebrews 4:15-16.

• God helps us deal with fear, replacing it with power, love and self-discipline.

• He understands our feelings.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Write down a prayer to God which seeks His help in destroying any barrier in your life.

As time permits, have group members share their prayer with the group.

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Homework Spend time in prayer this week seeking God for the wisdom and the will to be a minister of reconciliation in breaking down racial (and other) barriers in the body of Christ. Ask God for a deeper understanding of His will for oneness in the body of Christ. In addition, feel free to use the power of intercession to pull down the stronghold of racism in the body.

Finally, write down the insights that the Holy Spirit will share with you in response to your prayer activity. Be prepared to share your insights with the group at the beginning of the next session.

Closing Prayer Have one or two of the group members lead in the closing prayer.

Allow the group the opportunity to give prayer requests so that they can be targeted in the closing prayer.

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7

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One Nation: Breaking the Barriers (III) Allow 10 Minutes

ntroduction

Objective: That participants recognize that racial bigotry or any other form of bigotry is a sin which can spread like cancer in the body of Christ.

Would anyone like to share an insight you received from God in your time of prayer this week?

Have one or two individuals share what the Lord taught them in their reflections and prayers about race reconciliation this week.

Opening Prayer

Have a member pray on behalf of the group for insight and boldness to stand as ministers of race reconciliation in the body of Christ.

Sharing Question Name one thing you like about yourself and explain why.

Name one thing you dislike about yourself and what you are doing to change it.

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elf-Awareness

Have three or four participants answer this question. This question is merely a way of breaking the ice in beginning this session.

Allow 20-25 Minutes

On an episode of the Wonder Years, Kevin Arnold (the star) tells the story of a girl in his class who took a liking to him when he was in the seventh grade. This girl was not very popular because of her looks and goofy way of acting. She wore three pigtails, had Coke-bottle glasses, and incessantly talked about the weirdest things (her collection of pet insects and reptiles which were rather disgusting). As fate would have it, Kevin and this girl were placed together by the gym teacher in their square dance class. While she was delighted about this arrangement, Kevin was embarrassed because of what his friends thought about the girl. Despite his embarrassment, Kevin eventually came to like this girl and actually wanted to be friends with her.

He, however, feared what his friends would say if he went public 36

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about his interest. The solution he proposed was that they become “secret friends”; that is, friends who only talked in private such as on the telephone or at her house. This way he could have the benefit of her friendship and still keep the approval of his friends. As one might expect, this intelligent yet unpopular girl was offended and rejected the idea.

Why did Kevin only want to be secret friends with this girl?

Because he feared the rejection of his friends.

How would you feel about this proposition if you were this girl and why?

Most people would have felt insulted because the proposition suggests the person is not good enough to be a friend in the open. Such actions say that the supposed friend was actually ashamed of this person.

Is a secret friend a true friend? Explain your answer.

No, because a true friend is not ashamed to be seen with you. A true friend “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In Today we are going to learn about a man who did a similar thing. His name was Peter. Please turn in your Bibles to Galatians 2:11-21.

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piritual-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

In this passage we will see how Paul opposes Peter because of hypocrisy toward the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:11-21 Peter rejects fellowship with his Gentile brothers in the presence of the Jews.

What wrong thing did Peter do in this passage? (vv.11-12)

Peter ate with the Gentiles while his Jewish brothers were absent. However, when his Jewish brothers came into the room, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles and only ate with the Jews.

Why did Peter do this? (v.12)

Peter feared what his Jewish brothers might say about the fact that he was eating with the Gentiles as it was not customary for Jews to asso-

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ciate with Gentiles especially when it came to eating. According to Jewish tradition, a Jew would neither eat with a Gentile nor partake of a Gentile’s food.

What effect did Peter’s hypocritical actions have on the other Jews present? (v.13)

Peter’s actions influenced the other Jewish people present to join him in his hypocrisy.

What does this tell us about the dangers of bigotry in leadership?

Like cancer, the bigotry will spread to the rest of the body of Christ.

This is a very important point for participants to understand. Acts of bigotry are not merely a private matter, but they also influence the thinking and actions of others so that the body becomes more divided. Leaders in particular must see this as a basis for being cleansed of any and all forms of bigotry (or prejudice) in their lives.

Why did the Apostle Paul consider Peter’s actions against the Gentiles to be hypocritical?

Hypocrisy is appearing to be one thing to some people while being another thing to others. Peter was behaving as if he regarded the Gentiles as equals when the Jewish leaders were not around. However, when they were present, Peter had nothing to do with the Gentiles.

Another modern-day word to describe this behavior is two-facedness (one face for the Gentiles and another face for the Jews).

Paul confronts Peter for his hypocrisy.

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What did the Apostle Paul do when he saw Peter commit this act of hypocrisy against the Gentile brethren? (v v.1 4 - 1 6)

He confronted Peter about this behavior, rebuking him for treating the Gentiles as if they were less accepted by God than the Jews because they did not observe Jewish laws and traditions (being circumcised and eating certain foods).

What did Paul mean when he said that Peter’s actions were not in line with the truth? (vv.14-16)

Peter was behaving as if Jewish laws and traditions had to be obeyed by Gentiles in order for them to be accepted as brethren in the family of God. Peter knew, however, that acceptance by God for anyone, Jew or Gentile, comes by faith in Jesus

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Peter was behaving as if Jewish laws and traditio had to be obeyed by Gentiles in order for them t

Christ alone. Consequently, Peter’s actions against the Gentiles were sinful and worthy of correction by his fellow apostle. Make sure group members understand that this as well as any other act of bigotry is sinful in the sight of God because it is against God’s Word.

How was Peter’s behavior toward the Gentiles racist and considered unfair treatment?

It was racist and unfair because he rejected them on the basis of their non-Jewish ethnicity and customs.

Whenever we regard people as inferior and worthy of our rejection because they are not like us (race, gender, socioeconomic class, etc.), we are being racist (or bigoted) and unfair to them. We are behaving as though we are superior to them in the sight of God.

Racism, discrimination, bigotry, prejudice, etc., are sins against God and one another.

In the same way, how is our discriminatory or unfair treatment of believers on the basis of their race, gender, economic status, or family/legal background sinful and out of line with the word of truth? (vv.14-16)

Could it be that . . . when we reject a brother or sister in the body as our equal because of their ethnicity, gender, or social background, we are saying that it is not enough that they have faith in Christ for acceptance

by God, they must also go through our “hoops” or conform to our rules, customs, and standards in order to be truly with us in the family of God. Members should understand that such behavior is prideful and despicable in the sight of God.

In 1995, both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Assemblies of God, two of the world’s largest and predominantly Caucasian Protestant denominations, issued statements of reconciliation. These statements acknowledged past racism, asked forgiveness from those offended, and declared a desire to more fully integrate their churches. Other Christian organizations have done likewise.

See resource section for denominational resolutions on race reconciliation.

What is the value in Christian leaders making statements that address past wrongs of racism and prejudice?

Personal response.

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Galatians 6:1 On the basis of Paul’s reaction to Peter’s unfair treatment of the Gentiles, what should we do when we observe a fellow believer treating another believer unfairly because of his/her race, or social background?

A

pplication

We should regard such behavior as sin and confront it with the goal of restoration.

Allow 20 Minutes

Let’s go back to the scene in the Wonder Years that was described at the beginning of the lesson and imagine that Kevin and this little girl were Christians. As a fellow Christian, you see Kevin treating this little girl unfairly by ignoring her when his friends are around. How would you intervene and confront Kevin about his behavior?

Have two or three members act out how they would do this based on what they learned in the Bible lesson Remind themtoapplyG a l a t i a n s 6:1 which exhorts us to confront the sinning believer in a spirit of meekness or humility. Have the rest of the group give feedback on how they feel the member did in carefronting the sinning, bigoted believer.

Homework Take some time this week to interview a fellow believer who is of a different race, or social background than you. Ask them the following questions: In what way has my race (or social background) treated believers like you unfairly?

In what way has this treatment affected you as a member of the body of Christ?

What would you like to see done to correct this problem of bigotry?

How can I help you to feel more accepted as an equal brother or sister in the body of Christ?

Pre p a re to share some of the responses you received at the next meeting. Also be thinking of action steps the group can take to address the problems that were raised in your interview.

Closing Prayer

The person selected for this exercise could also be a person with a disability or chronic illness (e.g., wheelchair bound, blind, frequently hospitalized or in a nursing home, cancer patient, etc.) or their family member, someone with a criminal history (e.g., an ex-offender or reformed drug abuser), or a person who has not been a Christian long.

This exercise is to move the members toward acts of reconciliation by discovering firsthand the reality and effects of racism and other “isms” in the body of Christ. Some of the group’s ideas should be used in the last session when you will all develop a statement of commitment which outlines actions that the group will take to bring about reconciliation among the races in the body of Christ.

Have two or three group members lead the group in prayer for boldness and wisdom on how to bring about reconciliation in their communities. Have everyone embrace one another before dismissing.

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I

One Nation: Ruled by One Spirit for the Common Good

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objective: That participants (a) become aware of the governing role of the Holy Spirit in building diverse people into one body, and (b) that they understand the equal importance each member of the body has and the need to give greater honor to the more feeble parts of the body.

Opening Prayer

Sharing Question Based on your interviews this week with fellow believers of different cultures, what discoveries did you make about the existence of race discrimination in your local faith community?

Someone (or two people) share how this discovery made you feel and how you intend to confront/correct this problem in your community.

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elf-Awareness

Your hobby is assembling puzzle pieces, pasting them, and putting the assembled puzzle on the wall for display. One day, while you are diligently working on your 1,000-piece puzzle, Dennis the Menace gets hold of one of the puzzle pieces and accidently flushes it down the toilet. You are infuriated by this, and when you tell him of your annoyance, he flippantly says, “I

Have someone in the group pray that God will help each member become better acquainted and more intimate with the one Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who makes all of us as saints in one body. Ask God to open each member’s eyes so that each may more clearly see Jesus.

Have three or four participants share the outcome of their homework assignments by answering these questions. The purpose of this exercise is for participants to demonstrate awareness that discrimination (prejudice and bigotry) exists very close to us (sometimes as close as our local communities) and that such a problem calls for personal action on the part of believers. The ultimate aim is for participants to engage in proactive steps toward disbanding racism and other forms of bigotry and discrimination in the body of Christ in their local faith communities.

Allow 20 – 25 Minutes Have a group member read this scenario aloud and then get the rest of the members to answer the questions.

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don’t know what the big deal is. It’s only one piece! You’ve got 999 other pieces to work with. Why don’t you be satisfied with that?”

How would this mishap make you feel?

Most people would feel angry and ready to kill (figuratively) this little guy. Some may express feelings of grievance. The key is that it does not feel good to have a piece of such an important puzzle destroyed.

Why would one missing piece be so important to you when there are 999 other pieces?

Without all of the pieces to the puzzle, the picture is incomplete. This ruins the beauty of putting the puzzle on display.

Spiritual Awareness Lead–In

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In what way is the body of Christ like the pieces of this puzzle?

Members should see that, like the puzzle, the body of Christ consists of many parts which, together, make a complete picture. In addition, like the puzzle, the absence of one piece makes the puzzle’s picture incomplete and ruins its potential for being put on display.

How would you imagine it makes God, the master assembler, feel when one member of Christ’s body is excluded by other members (the eye says to the hand, “I don’t need you”)?

It would grieve the Father to know that one of the pieces of His puzzle which make up the body of Christ would be missing from the picture because of exclusion. As in the case of the puzzle, the picture is incomplete without all of the members of body being assembled together. This ruins the beauty of the body.

piritual-Awareness Today we are learning about the one who assembles all believers with diverse backgrounds and cultures into one nation. Turn to 1 Corinthians 12:1-27 and someone read this passage for the group.

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Allow 20–25 Minutes Tell participants to bear this in mind as you learn about the body of Christ in the lesson today.

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Paul dispels ignorance by teaching about the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:1 What is the first reason Paul gave for writing this chapter? (v. 1) Hosea 4:6 According to the Bible, what is the danger of ignorance concerning the will of God?

Paul said that he does not want his listeners to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.

Ignorance is deadly. God’s Word dispels ignorance.

1 Corinthians 12:3 By what means did we confess that Jesus Christ was Lord of our lives and thereby become saved? (v.3)

It was by means of the Holy Spirit that all of us came to accept Jesus as Lord. This means that none of us even came to Christ on our own s t rength. It was the Holy Spirit who enabled us. ( You may review the connection between this passage and Romans 10:9-10 if you wish.)

Consequently, what is one role of the Holy Spirit among all believers who now belong to the family of God?

To bring all believers into the family of God by empowering us to confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

How the Holy Spirit operates among believers.

Based on verses 4-6, what are some characteristics of the Holy Spirit (how does He express Himself)?

The Holy Spirit has a variety of gifts, a variety of administrations of the gifts, and a variety of operations of the gifts. However, all of these gifts come from the same Holy Spirit.

What does this tell us about the Holy Spirit’s character or personality?

That the Holy Spirit likes variety.

According to verse 7, for what purpose does the Holy Spirit manifest His diverse gifts ? Why is this important?

He manifests His diverse gifts for the good of all people in the body of Christ. This is important because it shows that the Holy Spirit does not operate in order to benefit any one person; He is concerned about all people.

According to verse 11, can anyone of us because of our race choose which gifts the Holy Spirit will bestow on us? Explain your answer.

None of us can lay claim to any gift on the basis of our race, because the Holy Spirit administers the gifts as He chooses, and it is for the common good of all people, not any one particular group. This must be emphasized to the group.

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Diverse members, one body.

A

According to verse 18, why are none of us to consider ourselves as misfits in the body of Christ on the basis of our different backgrounds?

Because we have all been placed in the body of Christ by God, and God does not make mistakes. The Bible says that He has set all of us in the body as He has pleased. None of us are mistakes or misfits.

Does the fact that we are one mean that we all have to be the same? (Explain your answer using verses 19-20.)

No. Oneness does not mean sameness. As we learned earlier, the Holy Spirit uses variety to express Himself in diverse ways. Just as many different members make up one human body, so different parts make up the body of Christ.

According to verses 21-25, can any one of us regard him/herself as more important than the other on the basis of our race, or background? Explain.

None of us can claim greater importance any more than the eye can claim greater importance than the hand. All of the members of the body are needed, even the uncomely (or covered up) parts.

If we are going to be a healthy body, how must we regard one another, whether the same or diff e rent, with respect to importance? (v. 2 5)

As equally important to the body’s function. None of us can do without the other person if we are going to be healthy.

On the basis of verses 22-24, if anyone receives the greater honor in the body of Christ, who should it be and why is this significant?

Those whom we regard as weaker or as possessing less than we do should be given the greater honor, the preferential treatment.

What consequences do we suffer as a body and as individual members if we fail to obey verses 22-25? (Think of a natural body without hands or legs or toes, etc.)

As a body, we will be disabled, incomplete, sick and could even die without each part functioning.

pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

Based on your answer to the last question in the SpiritualAw a reness section, in what ways do you think we as a body of believers are suffering as a result of racial and other division?

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Have the class really think about this because it will make the consequences of division in the body more real. Some of the consequences are: (a) a lack of growth among believers due to the absence of the gifts possessed by rejected believers, and (b) lack of emotional and physical heal-

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ing among wounded members because of neglect by members of the body of Christ.

How should we apply verses 22-24 to our lives?

One simple way is to identify those among us who are less popular, less represented, and more easily ignored and attend more diligently to their needs.

Going back to the story of the puzzle, imagine that the one who assembles the puzzle pieces is the Holy Spirit. How do you imagine He feels if one of the pieces is excluded from the puzzle because someone damaged or discarded it?

Explain.

Rejection of any piece of the puzzle would grieve the Holy Spirit because it would result in an incomplete picture. This would frustrate the Spirit’s intention to build for Himself a house to display the glory of God (Ephesians 2:22). Help members to understand that race discrimination and bigotry are not only sin but also grieves the Holy Spirit.

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Homework Ask God to search your heart as you pray this week. Ask Him to show you those areas in which you have disregarded the importance of another member of the body who seemed to possess less than you or to be less significant than you. Ask God’s forgiveness for this attitude and for cleansing so that you may see this believer as equally important as you are to God and to the body. Pray about ways that you can show greater honor to this person and do so.

Closing Prayer Have a member of the group thank God for the insights learned in this lesson. Have him/her ask God for forgiveness on behalf of the group for catering to some people while ignoring others because of their lowly estate or lack of popularity. He/she should ask God’s help in giving the greater honor to those who are less fortunate or weaker in the body.

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Session

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One Nation: Making Christ Visible Through Love in Action

ntroduction

Allow 10 Minutes Objective: That participants develop concrete plans to make reconciliation a visible reality among one another, each member’s local church, and their surrounding communities.

The plans will be given in a written statement of commitment that will be developed in this session and submitted to their pastors,and/or parac h u rch leaders, and Tu rning Point so that others in the body of Christ will be aware of what they are doing to pursue oneness in Christ.

The statement of commitment will also be recited one to another in the group session today and will be followed by the sacrament of communion in which each member will feed the bread and cup to another member as a sign of brotherhood and sisterhood in the body of Christ.

The session will end with everyone going to each group member and embracing while verbally affirming their love and commitment to one another to stand as brothers and sisters in the family of God who will continually pray for the other person’s spiritual and natural prosperity in life, always protect or look out for the welfare of the other person, and honor the gift of God in that person.

Opening Prayer

Have a member of the group (perhaps someone who has not said much in previous sessions) say a prayer of thanksgiving for what has been learned in this group experience. Ask them to pray for wisdom regarding how to make reconciliation an immediate reality among group members, their local churches, and their surrounding communities.

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A lot of things will be covered in today’s session as it is the last one. We will be breaking into smaller groups to develop some action steps toward reconciliation that we will carry to our families and local church communities. In addition, we will have service in which we will affirm our love and commitment to one another and seal it with communion. We will also be completing a telephone list for keeping in touch with one another. This has been an enjoyable yet challenging experience for everyone, and it is hoped that we all will take the things we have learned and make a difference in the body of Christ and the surrounding community as ministers of reconciliation.

You may read or have someone else read the opening statements which introduce this session’s content.

Sharing Question A lot has been covered over these past few weeks about God’s plan for us to be reconciled as one body of believers. I would like for each group member to share briefly what was most valuable to you in becoming reconciled to your brothers and sisters of different cultures and backgrounds.

S

Have everyone take no more than two minutes to share their insights on this question. The purpose of this question is to begin the process of reflection and closure for this group.

Allow 20-25 Minutes

elf-Awareness In what way have you changed as a result of this group experience?

In what way do you need to continue to change in the area of reconciliation?

What actions are you willing to take to maintain the changes you have made and those you need to continue to make?

Have a few members share their answers to these questions. The objective is to get members to prepare for action as they leave this group experience and re-enter the outside world. Members need to understand that change requires both awareness of one’s need to change and planned action for making and maintaining change.

Make sure the group members understand this.

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Recognizing the role of planned action in making permanent change, be thinking about some immediate and visible things this group can do to show the world around us that we have changed in order to become more effective ministers of reconciliation.

Have everyone turn to the text for today: John 17:11, 20-23; John 13:35.

Describe what you can do.

Personal response.

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piritual-Awareness

Allow 20–25 Minutes

The Apostle Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Oneness in Christ transcends ethnic, social, and sexual distinctions.

One as Jesus and the Father are one.

John 17:11, 20-23 In verse 11, Jesus prays that God would protect believers (His disciples) by God’s name and make us one like Jesus and the Father are one.

How are Jesus and the Father one? On the basis of that, how does Jesus pray for us to be one?

As one as two entities can be. Jesus did, thought, and felt everything that the Father did. Illustrations: Fire and Iron — A vivid picture of oneness could be iron when it is placed in the fire and gets really red. Under such a condition, the iron is in the fire and the fire is in the iron, and there is no distinction between the two entities.

Electricity and Light — Another example is electricity and the light bulb. When you turn the electric switch on, the bulb is lit; and when you turn the switch off, the light goes off. In this case, the electric switch represents the Father and the light in the bulb represents Jesus.

These two entities work so closely together that you do not know where the electricity stops and the light begins. Lighting a room is possible because electricity and light act as one. This is how Jesus prayed that we be as one. .

Because Jesus made our oneness His prayer, how confident can we be that our efforts to become one will meet with success? Why?

We can be very confident that we will succeed in our efforts to become reconciled because the Father always answers Jesus’ prayers. For this reason, you should encourage the group to forge ahead in reconciliation efforts to family, church, and community no matter how difficult it may seem to break the barriers. Because Jesus prayed for this, we are assured the victory.

According to verse 23, how will the world know that Jesus is real and the Father sent Him?

The world will know of the reality of Jesus and that the Father sent Him

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through our oneness or “complete unity” as believers.

What does Jesus mean by “complete unity” in this passage?

Complete unity means that all parts, though differing in background, function, and appearance, act as one unit. As a body of believers, we act as one unit in making Christ visible to the world. To achieve this, we allow the Holy Spirit to unify us in heart, in mind, in spirit, and in motivation. Otherwise, we will never succeed in overcoming our differences.

How the world knows we are disciples of Christ.

John 13:35 In what visible way will the world know that we are one as followers of Christ?

By the love we have one for the other.

Acts 2:44-47 What did this “love level” of relationship between the believers look like, and what were its tangible benefits?

Visible characteristics: All of the believers were together and had everything in common. This means they shared what they had with one another. In addition, these believers took care of one another’s needs and spent time together in worship and in fellowship (eating together in one another’s homes).

Benefits: As a result of their love and unity, the Bible says that they enjoyed the favor of all people and the church grew (got larger) day by day.

Why do you suppose the love of these believers for one another convinced the world around them to believe in Jesus and become a part of His body?

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Nowhere on earth—in the past or the present—do people see this kind of love between people of different backgrounds (classes, races, or gender). Such loving treatment among such a diverse and large group of people can only happen by supernatural means (Jesus living inside each believer causing them all to love and take care of one another). Consequently, the world around them became convinced that the Christ of

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whom they testified was alive and real. This kind of love is attractive to a world that is lonely and filled with despair.

Based on what Acts 2:44-47 teaches us about love and complete unity among believers, what practical things can we do as a group to build visible togetherness among one another?

Suggestions: • Create a mechanism in which group members can share common experiences one with another (informal fellowship time at lunch or dinner).

• Create a mechanism for knowing one another’s needs and concrete ways of meeting those needs (phone chain in which each member calls another member to “check in” and see how he/she is doing; if a need is expressed, the caller can notify other group members to arrange to have the need met).

• Create opportunities for group members to spend time with one another both in worship and fellowship (small group fellowship time or telephone conference prayer time once a month).

What benefits should a local church expect as a result of applying this passage in its experience as a community?

The benefits should be the same as it was in Acts: favor from the people in the surrounding community and souls being added to the church on a regular basis (daily or weekly).

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A

pplication

Allow 20 Minutes

On the basis of these insights, we are going to break into groups for the next 15-25 minutes to develop a statement of commitment. This statement will describe what we as a group will do to gain and maintain unity among one another using the actions given in Acts 2:44-47. Group 1 will develop concrete plans for how we will share common experiences together (fellowship groups, letters, etc.), Group 2 will develop plans for how we will attune ourselves to the needs of one another and take concrete steps to meet those needs, and Group 3 will develop plans for how we will worship together and share intimate fellowship with one another.

You may read these instructions aloud to the group if you wish.

Have one group member write your action plan in a brief paragraph which one of you will read to the group at large at a later point in this session. At the conclusion of this session, we will collect these statements and send them to each of you.

With your consent, the statement of commitment will be reported to your pastor and/or parachurch leader and Turning Point so that others in the body of Christ may be aware of what you are doing to pursue oneness and thereby learn of ways to become reconciled.

Have each group take 15-25 minutes to develop their statements. When they have completed it, have a representative from each group share their portion of the commitment with the group.

Ceremony Officiator: As a group, we have learned much about God’s plan to make us one, and we realize that this requires some action on our part. Consequently, we have joined together as a group to develop plans for how to pursue the oneness that we would have. Let a spokesperson from each group come forth now and read the statement of commitment.

Group 1. Whereas, we, the members of the body of Christ, have shared and learned about how to be reconciled to one another in Christ through His Holy Spirit, we resolve that as ministers of reconciliation, we will do the following: (Read the plans that you developed.)

The ceremony should follow the script given here.

Whenever the Lord’s supper is celebrated, it should be preceded by the reading and the proclamations of the Word of God. You may want your minister or authorized person from your church to administer the sacrament and ceremony.

Group 2. Whereas, we, the members of the body of Christ, have shared and learned about how to be reconciled to one another in Christ through His Holy Spirit, we resolve that as ministers of reconciliation, we will do the following: (Read the plans that you developed.)

Group 3. Whereas, we, the members of the body of Christ, have shared and learned about how to be reconciled to one another in Christ through His Holy Spirit, we resolve that as ministers of reconciliation, we will do the following: (Read the plans that you developed.)

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Officiator: Whereas, the members of this group have resolved to carry out the plans for maintaining and exemplifying reconciliation among one another and in their local churches, be it resolved that these statements of commitment will be reported to our pastors and/or parachurch leaders and Turning Point in order for the body of Christ to bear witness to the fact that members of this group are ministers of reconciliation who are pursuing oneness in word and action.

To seal this bond of love and commitment to one another, we will now break the bread and drink the cup which represents our covenant with Jesus Christ and one another. Let each member stand, find a partner, and turn so that he/she is facing that partner.

Facilitator may choose to have the group break up into pairs or have joint group communion.

(Officiator will hand bread and the cup to each group to prepare for communion. Each member will feed the other person his/her bread and cup after reciting the following statement.)

Officiator: Before serving the bread and cup which represents Christ broken body and shed blood for each of our sins, please recite the following statement after me: “Through this experience of the study of God’s Word, I know more clearly that you and I are one in God’s family. By the Holy Spirit, we confess the same Lord, worship the same God, and look forward to dwelling eternally in the same glorified heaven. As your brothers/sisters, I will look out for your welfare and know that you will look out for mine. With God’s power and our diligence, nothing will come between us. You are my equal and my friend, and I willingly submit to you as a member of the body of Christ. In addition, I honor the gift of God in you and recognize you as a man/woman of God. Finally, it is in Christ’s name that from this day forward we face the future as one nation under God, undivided, with liberty and justice for all. Amen.”

Let us eat together and drink all of it.

Before we dismiss, let’s all go around the room and embrace one another in love.

Closing Prayer Officiator: We will now give time for each member to give a closing prayer as the Lord lays it on your heart. After you have finished, I will pray and we will dismiss.

At this point, you may give final remarks that are on your heart.

Also, remind members to sign the address list before they leave.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Session 9

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Resources WHY BOTHER? AFTER THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF INTEGRATION, WE NEED A POWERFUL REASON TO PURSUE RECONCILIATION

by Spencer Perkins (The late Spencer Perkins was President of Reconcilers Fellowship and Editor-in-Chief of Reconcilers Magazine.)

For black Christians, the question of racial reconciliation has long been moot. White folks made it very clear that they wanted us to stay away from them. When we moved into their neighborhoods, they moved out.

When we sent our children to their schools, they built private schools and created white school districts. We have not had to answer the question of racial reconciliation until now.

African Americans approach that question quite differently than Whites do. Many Whites come to the table with a tinge of guilt. It was Whites who enslaved Blacks, not vise-versa. It is Whites who have been, in comparison to Blacks, privileged. It was Whites who refused to let Blacks into their churches after emancipation.

Although guilt-driven motivation does not usually last, it is still a very powerful force. The drive to absolve oneself from the burden of guilt does move people into well-intentioned action.

Blacks, on the other hand, do not have this motivation. In our minds, we didn’t do anything wrong. We just reacted and accommodated ourselves to the white power structure. And the desire for justice does nothing to move African Americans toward relationships with Whites. Many times this leaves white Christians scratching their heads in confusion and wondering why Blacks are not more involved in their reconciliation efforts.

Why should African Americans, who have very little motivation, and Whites, who may be driven by less than pure motives, “sit down at the table of brotherhood (and sisterhood) together”?

There are, of course, sociological reasons to make peace, to tolerate each other, to not hurt each other, and to respect diversity. These are all good things that make the world safer. And the new multi-cultural emphasis on college campuses has guided us in this direction.

But in our quest for racial harmony, I can think of only one reason to move beyond tolerance to go the extra mile—and that is the gospel.

I am often asked by college students, “Are you saying that the only way to have racial reconciliation is through Christ? Do you have to be a Christian?” I have come to believe that the answer to this question is yes.

If I were not a Christian, I wouldn’t bother working for racial reconciliation. I don’t do this out of some dogood, feel-good emotion. I do it because I believe it is what God wants. And because it helps to authenticate my faith.

It is this new reality of reconciliation, not integration or assimilation, that the Apostle Paul was trying to communicate to the Jews and Gentiles in the church at Ephesus. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Paul was saying to these new believers that the gospel can do something nothing else has the power to do, and that is to make Jews and Gentiles into one body.

Race and Reconciliation Online, October 2, 1996.

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION JUNE 20-22, 1995, ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Resolution on Racial Reconciliation WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1845, the Southern Baptist Convention has been an effective instrument of God in mis sions, evangelism, and social ministry; and WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that “Eve is the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20), and that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation whoever fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him” (Acts 10:34-35), and that God has “made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26); and WHEREAS, Our relationship to African-Americans has been hindered from the beginning by the role that slavery played in the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention; and WHEREAS, Many of our Southern Baptist forebears defended the “right” to own slaves and either participated in, sup ported, or acquiesced in the particularly inhumane nature of American slavery; and WHEREAS, In later years Southern Baptists failed, in many cases, to support and, in some cases, opposed legitimate initia tives to secure the civil rights of African-Americans; and WHEREAS, Racism has led to discrimination, oppression, injustice, and violence, both in the Civil War and throughout the history of our nation; and WHEREAS, Racism has divided the body of Christ and Southern Baptists in particular and separated us from our AfricanAmerican brothers and sisters; and WHEREAS, Many of our congregations have intentionally and/or unintentionally excluded African-Americans from wor ship, membership, and leadership; and WHEREAS, Racism profoundly distorts our understanding of Christian morality, leading some Southern Baptists to believe that racial prejudice and discrimination are compatible with the gospel; and WHEREAS, Jesus performed the ministry of reconciliation to restore sinners to a right relationship with the Heavenly Father and to establish right relations among all human beings, especially within the family of faith.

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that we, the messengers to the Sesquicentennial meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention assembled in Atlanta, Georgia, June 20-22, 1995, unwaveringly denounce racism, in all its forms, as deplorable sin; and Be it further RESOLVED, that we affirm the Bible’s teaching that every human life is sacred and is of equal and immeasur able worth, made in God’s image regardless of race or ethnicity (Genesis 1:27), and that, with respect to salvation through Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for (we) are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28); and Be it further RESOLVED, that we lament and repudiate historic acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest, and we recognize that the racism which yet plagues our culture today is inextricably tied to the past; and Be it further RESOLVED, that we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime; and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously (Psalm 19:13) or unconsciously (Leviticus 4:27); and Be it further RESOLVED, that we ask forgiveness from our African-American brothers and sisters, acknowledging that our own healing is at stake; and Be it further RESOLVED, that we hereby commit ourselves to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry; and Be it further RESOLVED, that we commit ourselves to be “doers of the word” (James 1:22) by pursuing racial reconciliation in all our relationships, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ (I John 2:6), to the end that our light would so shine before others “that they may see (our) good works, and glorify (our) Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16); and Be it finally RESOLVED, that we pledge our commitment to the Great Commission task of making disciples of all peoples (Matthew 28:19), confessing that in the church God is calling together one people from every tribe and nation (Revelation 5:9), and proclaiming that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only certain and sufficient ground upon which redeemed persons will stand together in restored family union as joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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46TH GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD AUGUST 12, 1995, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Resolution on Black Ministries WHEREAS, The Gospel of Jesus Christ declares God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life; and WHEREAS, The Scriptures have promised that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh; and WHEREAS, The world for whom Jesus died and the flesh upon which the Spirit is poured out is without regard to ethnicity, class, economic distinction, or gender; and WHEREAS, The foremost exemplary model of Pentecostal community in the 20th century is the Azusa Revival where leader ship and people joined together without regard to ethnicity, providing a divine rebuke against the Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination of this worldly age and throwing a shining light of God’s intention for His church where the blood of Christ washes out the color line; and WHEREAS, Because of the deep stain and sin of racism following the Azusa Revival, predominately black and white Pente costal denominations went their separate ways for a season; and WHEREAS, The Assemblies of God was established during that time of separation so that our Fellowship became one from which black persons were mostly absent; and WHEREAS, Our testimony to the world has suffered as a result of this separation and our Fellowship has been deprived of the rich blessings which could have been made by our black brothers and sisters; and WHEREAS, In the goodness of the Lord and in the fullness of time, the Holy Spirit prompted us as a body in our 1989 General Council to repent of and denounce racism as a sin; and WHEREAS, Across this Fellowship, congregations are opening their hearts to become multi-ethnic communities which bear witness to Jesus Christ who told us that the world will know us by our love for one another; and WHEREAS, It is right that we repent of racism and ask our black brothers and sisters for forgiveness for failing to keep and treasure the shining ideal of Jesus and the 20th century Azusa Revival; and WHEREAS, We are committed to removing every last vestige of racism from our midst and restoring to the work of the Lord and blessing of an integrated Fellowship; and WHEREAS, Toward this end, we encourage from our hearts the full participation of black persons within the Assemblies of God in fellowship and leadership; and WHEREAS, Action by this General Council is needed to give impetus to our districts, ministers, and people for the full inclusion of black brothers and sisters throughout our Fellowship; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this General Council ask the general superintendent and Board of Administration, the executive and general presbyteries, the executive officers and presbyteries of districts, pastors and ministers, local church boards and congre gations to take whatever actions are necessary or advisable to enhance and accelerate the progress being made in our Fellow ship for the inclusion of black brothers and sisters throughout every aspect of the Assemblies of God.

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

THE 58TH REGULAR CONVENTION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD JULY 10-12, 1992

Report R3-01, B, 2 (CW, p.66); Overture 3-100 (CW, p.211) WHEREAS, Racism, namely the mindset that considers one group of people to be superior to another, continues to hurt its victims and cause offense in the church and conflict in society; and WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that all people come from Adam: “From one man He made every nation to have the people live all over the earth” (Acts 17:26); and WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that all Christians, regardless of race, color, nationality, social status, or gender, are God’s chosen people in Christ, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility by His perfect sacrifice for the entire human family (1 Peter 2:8-9 and Ephesians 2:14-16); and WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations is currently working toward the completion of a major study of racism in the church; therefore, be it RESOLVED, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod urge its members to repent of any attitude or practice of racism as individuals and congregations; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Synod repudiate all racism and urge its members to celebrate God’s love in Christ and their forgive ness and acceptance as God’s children by loving and serving all their fellow humans as they have been loved and served, without any exception of persons, and to work toward social justice in their neighborhoods and workplaces and all areas of society; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Synod assembled in convention urge the rapid completion of the CTCR study; and be it finally RESOLVED, That the members of the Synod be urged to make maximum use of this study upon its completion and to pray the Lord of the church to bless this study and cause it to effect appropriate changes in attitudes and actions.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation Under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Moving Into a Shared Future

by Professor Cheryl J. Sanders

Racism remains a central issue in the differences between black and white evangelicals. Along with this racism are the invisible structures intended to preserve “what’s ours” and keep other people out. These include doctrine, management of resources, and access to education.

I believe that there can’t be reconciliation between the races until there is repentance for this racism, and I think the full weight of Scripture supports me. Whoever refuses to hear the offense or face the facts can’t repent. The fact is that white people today are benefiting from a system of privilege set in motion generations ago, while my ancestors were being robbed of their labor without recompense.

Unfortunately, this leads to a victim discourse, making genuine repentance difficult. You can’t have repentance without someone taking responsibility, and today we are all victims.

Yet the question remains, “Are we going to advance from the past and move together into a future that is a shared future?” The Bible is the ultimate, legitimate source for a vision of inclusiveness.

One of the strongest biblical images is the kingdom of God, and there is no question that this is an inclusive kingdom. Whatever I desire for my own children, I ought to want the same things for other people’s children.

In the kingdom of God, everyone has a stake, and everyone has dignity and respect, regardless of economic status, sex, color, or nationality. You see this “coming together” at Pentecost, a multinational gathering.

The pastor of my church was an extraordinary man named Sam Hines. He passed away in 1995 but in his 25 years in Washington, D.C., he worked very hard to promote reconciliation. He used to say, “Dogma divides; mission unites.” I think that, if there is going to be reconciliation among American Christians, it will come because we reach consensus about our mission to the United States.

Before Dr. Hines died, he spoke to me about his concern that everyone, whether conservative or liberal, seems to be dropping the poor from his or her agenda. If this is true, then we as Christians have a ready-made mission that can unite us. Jesus’ primary ministry was to the poor, and he has given us a mandate to pursue the same course.

About the Author Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders teaches Christian ethics at Howard University Divinity School and is the senior pastor at the Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C. She has written the books Ministry at the Margins and Saints in Exile.

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Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Selected Bibliography Barndt, Joseph, Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White Americans, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, 1991.

DeYoung, Curtis, Coming Together, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA, 1995. ______, Reconciliation—Our Greatest Challenge, Our Only Hope, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA 1997.

Elmer, Duane, Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, 1993.

Evans, Tony, Developing Cross Cultural Fellowships, Moody Press, Chicago, 1998. ______, Let’s Get to Know Each Other, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1995.

Joyner, Rick, Overcoming Racism, Morning Star Publications, Charlotte, 1996.

Kenner, Craig, and Glen Usry, Black Man’s Religion, InterVarsity, Downers Grove, 1996. ______, Defending Black Faith, InterVarsity, Downers Grove, 1996.

Perkins, John, Thomas A. Tarrants, III with David Wimbish, He’s My Brother: Former Racial Foes Offer Strategy for Reconciliation, Chosen Books, Grand Rapids, 1994.

Perkins, Spencer, and Chris Rice, More Than Equals—Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel, InterVarsity, Downers Grove, 1993.

Sanders, Cheryl, Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture, Oxford University Press, New York, 1996. ______, Ministry at the Margins, InterVarsity, Downers Grove, 1997.

Shuler, Clarence, Winning the Race to Unity, Moody Press, Chicago, 1998.

Washington, Raleigh, and Glenn Kehrein, Breaking Down Walls—A Model for Reconciliation, Moody Press, Chicago, 1993.

Facilitator’s Guide: One Nation under God, Turning Point, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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