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TOUGH CONVERSATIONS

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Series:  Tough Conversations

Subject: Racial Reconciliation

Text:  James 2:1-13

All of these “tough conversations” challenge us to think – to see things from a different perspective. “A local church must be a place of challenge. Challenge reflects the art of providing stretching insights, probing questions, experience that take us out of our comfort zone, while at the same time offering affirmation, belief, and encouragement.”  VantagePoint3

Thank you, Faith Church, for challenging us!

SCRIPTURE: Spend some time talking about verses 8 and 9, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

How do these words impact how we treat people who look or think differently than we do? When and how do we show “partiality?” These verses don’t mince words, they call it sin when we treat one person better than another. We can all be guilty. It leads us back to the age-old question, “Who is my neighbor?”

ACCOUNTABILITY:  Many of us grew up in households where some level of racism seemed acceptable. If that is your situation, what triggers still remain? How do the negative attitudes of past generations impact how we see people? Are we even able to identify any carryover bitterness toward others? Sometimes those who live with us can give us a more honest perspective. On the other hand, how can the positive attitudes of our family of origin impact our lens?

TRANSFORMATION:  We all have blindspots. Has this conversation uncovered some blindspots in your life concerning race? “Blindspots” by definition are usually not easily seen. Can you ask someone close to you, “Do you see racism in me?”  Through your time with God, introspection and honest conversations, how do you believe God would have you move forward in this area?

When we see how God has created a diverse people, how can we best celebrate the diversity of His creation which He is redeeming for Himself? 

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