Wednesday Night, October 22, 2003

 

As a result of this discussion, participants will be challenged to look at diversity in a positive light and acknowledge the wisdom of God’s plan for unity in this diversity.   

 

 

Our children (by and large) have no regard to diversity. When does society begin influencing our thinking on diversity? Do you remember when that first happened for you?  

What was your reaction when you heard Chuck in his Sunday Night Sermon read the article written by Foy E. Wallace describing his distaste for white people going to hear Marshall Keeble?  

 

 

 

G.K. Chesterton notes, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”  

 

Why is unity in diversity such an illusive ideal in every facet of our lives?  

What was your reaction to David Brooks comment in his recent article in the Atlantic Monthly?  “Maybe it’s time to admit the obvious. We don’t really care about diversity all that much in America, even though we talk about it a great deal. Maybe somewhere in this country there is a truly diverse neighborhood in which a black Pentecostal Minister lives next to a white anti-globalization activist, who lives next to an Asian short- order cook, who lives next to a professional golfer, who lives next to a post-modern literature professor, who lives next to a cardiovascular surgeon. But I have never been to or heard of that neighborhood. Instead, what I have seen all around the country is people making strenuous efforts to group themselves with people who are basically like themselves. “   

Read Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul urged the Ephesians to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” He highlights that we can know we are living a life worthy of the calling by – 

􏰀 Being completely humbly 

􏰀 Being completely gentle 

􏰀 Being patient 

􏰀 Bearing with one another in love 

􏰀 Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace 

􏰀 Recognizing that the spiritual blessings you share transcend any earthly differences. 

 

Look at the opposites of each of these directives.  

􏰀 How does pride disrupt unity? 

􏰀 How does harshness disrupt unity? 

􏰀 How does impatience disrupt unity? 

􏰀 How does an unforgiving attitude disrupt unity? 

Read Ephesians 2:11-22. From this text, who is it that enables “enemies” to be reconciled and live at peace with one another?  

 

See also Romans 2:17-29; I Corinthians 12: 13; Galatians 3:26-29.  

Church growth experts have found that churches have the best chance to grow when they follow the “homogeneity principle” (meaning the church membership is comprised of people who are by and large the same). 

 

Why do you think this is true?

 

   

 

Virtually every institution and area of society is susceptible to this temptation of walling off with “our own kind” and separating. Why must the church be different?   

 

What can you do to steer beliefs and practices in the right direction among those with whom you have influence?   

 

 

 

Mention the empty chair. Be fishing!  

Go around the room tonight and allow everyone to share the changes each person needs to make to embrace this Biblical teaching. And pray about these things!