Neighbor Love and Diversity

Bible Text: Galatians 1:11-24

Theme: Jesus Loves the Ethnic Minority

Summary: We've been learning about Jesus' love for neighbors of all sorts, and how He disrupts our pride of intelligence or beauty or health or maturity with stories of love for the mentally or sexually broken, the physically ill, and the child. This week we examined Jesus' disruption of our pride in our race or ethnicity by confronting us with the reality that we have diverse neighbors who possess the same dignity that we ourselves have in Him. Paul was a Jewish man who encountered Jesus and was given a mission as apostle to the Gentiles. He loved his heritage and his people, but he also proclaimed the gospel as being of Christ, and not of any man or people (Gal. 1:12).

Intentional Family Activity:

1. Go to http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/muluken/index.htm and check out this story of a young girl from Ethiopia. If you click on "a day in the life," on each page you will see a snippet of her life, and there is a question for your child to answer that gives an opportunity for comparison. At the end, you can see ways that you are similar and ways you are different. Talk about how God made Muluken too, and Jesus came to save her just as he came for your family. Muluken speaks a different language, but God can understand her, because He speaks all languages!

2. Talk about your family's heritage. Where did your ancestors come from? Do you feel a sense of loyalty to that country/those countries? Do you feel patriotic to America as your home now? This seems right and good: Jesus loved His family and the Jewish people. However, He came to save the world (John 3:16). Of course the Jews are included in that, but they receive no greater measure of righteousness by virtue of the fact that they are Jews, just as we have no greater place in the kingdom of heaven because we are American. In fact, we wouldn't even be able to read the Bible unless someone first learned our language and translated it for us! It can be fun to talk as a family about where you came from and how that forms who you are. Use it also as a chance to highlight how there are many different family heritages in the world, and the amazing concept that Jesus came to save each of them equally.

3. Check out this website for some games that introduce kids to features of other cultures. These come from the PBS show Arthur. Here again you will have the opportunity to explore other cultures, but the piece missing from the website is the idea that Jesus loves all people equally, simply because they are human and it is humans He came to save. Have fun with the games and enjoy learning about other cultures, but don't miss the chance to supplement it with what this means about how we are to love people that are different than we are.

Moment by Moment Thoughts:

1. If you have older children, especially who are attending public school, by now they have probably discussed diversity in some manner in class. They may be learning concepts such as "ethnocentricity" or "xenophopia," and they are probably discussing the concept of tolerance in connection with these ideas. If so, here are some ways you might round out their thinking in light of exploring how Jesus' love stretches across differing ethnicities and cultures. Talk about how acceptance of people of other cultures is different than acceptance of their beliefs. While Jesus offered love equally to all persons, the ways this love played out was sometimes in the form of disruption of their misconceptions and folly. Therefore, consider that distinction and how you may use it to supplement what your child has learned, if applicable.

2. As you interact with neighbors, consider ways you can love them. Zack shared a story of receiving a half-finished container of candied apples from a neighbor and the blessing that was to our family. Maybe you don't have to invite the family over for a perfectly-cooked dinner in your perfectly clean house, but maybe it can be that your kids play outside and show love through sharing their toys. Maybe you take your leftover dessert together and learn about their family.

Talking about Jesus and our Broken Minds

Bible Text: Luke 8:26-39

Theme: Jesus loves the broken-minded

Moment by Moment this Week: As you do life together this week, first, seek to pay attention to moments that reveal how our minds are broken (like the man whom Jesus heals in these verses). Notice when you forget something. Notice when someone in the home feels confused, was genuinely mistaken or is fuzzy about a memory. Notice on the television shows you watch, the songs you listen to, the conversations you hear. Signs of diseases of mind, or mental brokeness are all around. Name some of these moments in a way that does not ridicule but humbles us to look to Jesus whose grace is able to sustain us. Second, notice moments in which help or healing could come but someone prefers not to change and remain fractured because of it (Like the community in these verses, who tell Jesus to leave because they are afraid of His healing). Third, notice these things in yourselves not just in others. What invitation to mending in the way you relate to your spouse or kids that you are you afraid to receive from Jesus because you fear what you will lose more than you want what He will gain for you?

Intentional Activities this Week:

1. For younger children, go to the library or bookstore and read Hunches in Bunches Dr. Seuss. Notice how Seuss uses fun but helpful words like "murky-mooshy" and "frightul ga-fluppted" to describe what happens to our minds sometimes. Talk about how we forget things or get confused sometimes and that Jesus loves and accepts us and will give us grace.

2. For middle school/high school kids, google "the Leopard man" and watch the short video or read the news article on "The Leopard Man" (pictured above). As you do, acknowledge humor that results from it strangeness, but gently encourage them that we need not make fun but learn what Jesus would teach us. Then read the passage with Jesus and the demon-possessed man. Compare and contrast the stories. What is the same? What is significantly different?

Bodies are for blessing not for use

This Week's Text: Luke 7:36-49 (see the sermon, "Jesus loves the sexually immoral" Sept. 13, 2009 at www.riversidestl.org)

Theme: Bodies are for blessing not for use

Intentional Activity:

1. For younger children, watch "Madagascar 2" together. Notice the journey that Gloria the Hippo has relationally. She is flattered by Moto Moto. She believes his advances demonstrate true love and makes her unique among the other hippos (women) he has had. Over time however, his moves and lines, are seen to be hollow. She begins to recognize that he likes her body (the way she looks) but sees little or cares little for who she is. Even though Gloria realizes this, she is still hesitant to leave this flattery. It feels good and makes her feel wanted. She is finally able to put the flattery aside when she hears the Giraffe, speak of his love for her. Highlight the contrast between how Moto Moto and the Giraffe relate to Gloria. Moto Moto is aggressive, forward, filled with complimentary words. The Giraffe is shy, hesitant and does not push himself on Gloria. Gloria learns that her longing to be known not just seen is a right longing. The Giraffe learns that to speak his love and respect for Gloria not only enables him to relate truly, but also strengthens her. Moto Moto doesn't seem to learn anything, even though he has been invited to change his way of relating to hippos (women). Take five minutes after the movie and highlight this with your kids. Ask them: (1) Do you remember Moto Moto? Did you think his voice was funny? How did he treat Gloria? (2) How did the Giraffe treat Gloria? (3) Why did Gloria ultimately choose the Giraffe and not Moto Moto?

2. For older kids (teens), watch an episode of The Office, season 1, entitled "Hot Girl." Have a light and fun atmosphere. With the freedom to laugh also notice and highlight three things with your kids. (1) How everyone treats Pam when the "hot girl" arrives. Pay particular attention to how Roy and Michael treat Pam in contrast to Jim. Notice also how Pam handles this. (2) Notice how Michael treats other men in light of the "hot girl." Notice also how Michael interprets the "hot girl's" need for a ride. He is ready to use her need for help as a plan for much more (3) Notice how the "hot girl" handles the advances of foolish men (Dwight she handles well, but why does she struggle to resist Michael even though she clearly dislikes him?) Notice also that she acknowledges that her best customers are men even though what she sells is purses. How does she use her body and looks to help her sales? Finally, consider Jim's proposal and her acceptance of a date. What do you think?

Random Life Moments:

1. Begin to notice how commercials, movies, ads, conversations assume that men and women are to relate to one another on the basis of their bodies rather than on the basis of who they are. Take note of how bodies are disconnected from the dignity and story of the person and offered for use, for flattery or for pleasure. In a natural and brief way, highlight these things from time to time when you see them. Do so in such a way that you yourself are a learner too.

2. If you have a son or daughter and are rubbing their back over their shirt and they are around 11, 12 or 13 years old, consider saying something like the following: (Dad to daughter) "One of these days a boy is going to want to rub your back in a way that is similar to what I'm doing. It might feel really good and you might really want him to do this. I want you to know that my touch is safe on your back and you have come to learn that it is because we have had years of laughter, crying, hardship, fun and forgiveness together. You know my weaknesses and sins and I know yours. We've been through a lot. You also know that I've not touched you in ways that make you feel uncomfortable. Whenever the time comes that a boy wants to touch you in this way, how do you know if his touch is safe and real or just because he wants something from you? One way is to ask yourself, "Does this boy know me? Does he know my weaknesses and sins? Does he know what it is to ask forgiveness from me and to give it when I need it? Is there a pattern here of safety and regard for me?"

Kids are Neighbors Too

Bible Verse: Luke 18:15-18

Theme: According to Jesus, Kids are Neighbors Too!

Summary: One theme from this week's sermon is that often adults and kids are confused about the differences between a limit, a sin and an accident. Not knowing how to handle these differences impacts who we are as adults and kids and how we relate to one another. When you read the passage, notice that the disciples are confused. They rebuke the kids for something that Jesus would not rebuke them for. For your family activity this week, let's explore how Jesus handles us with our limits, accidents and sins. For more, listen to the sermon entitled, Jesus loves children (Sept 6, 2009) at www.riversidestl.org

Family Activity:

• Read this Bible passage with your kids this week. With older kids mention it while driving to school or just before bed or ask them to read it if one on one is better.
• For younger kids this week, consider watching or referencing Beauty and the Beast (for older kids, consider Hook or The Dark Knight)
• As you do, consider two themes:

1. What does it mean to be a grown up? What does a grown up look like and act like? Ask your selves and your kids these questions this week. If you can watch Beauty and the Beast as a family, ask yourselves before and after the movie, "What does Gaston believe it means to be a grown-up? What picture of a grown-up does the Beast portray? In contrast to both, how does Belle picture what it means to live and act like an adult? (In Hook, contrast Peter Banning, Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and the Pirates; in The Dark Knight, contrast the view of being grown up offered by Batman and the Joker. Consider how Jesus pictures adulthood in a way that challenges both Batman and the Joker, both Peter Pan and the Pirates)
2. Consider the difference between a limit, an accident and a sin. Ask yourselves and your kids if they know what the differences are this week. If you can watch the movie, consider for example: When the Beast yells at Belle, or captures her father, Belle rightly names his behavior as mean. This is right for the Beast isn't showing love for God or neighbor by this behavior. But when the Beast is trying to use silverware at the table, his paws make this difficult. His limited dexterity contributes to his making a mess and spilling things at the table. Rather than rebuke the beast as if he is sinning, Belle recognizes his limits and subsequent accidents. She accepts him and does not rebuke or shame him. She even joins him in his limits by drinking from the bowl instead of using a spoon.
3. The goal this week is to consider as a family, how Jesus handles our limits and accidents and sins. How is his approach different from the disciples and surrounding culture? Reflect as parents on the way coaches, pastors, parents, etc . . .have treated you. How do these differ from the way Jesus treats you? Reflect on the way you treat each other as a family. What healing can you experience by learning to give and receive His grace?

Parent's Guide:

1. Consider the movie, Regarding Henry with Harrison Ford as an example of a Parent who struggled with shaming things in his kids that weren't sins and who transforms in a more gracious direction with his family.
2. Use these ideas as a way to help you in your discussion

Limit: something we can’t do simply because we’re human and made the way we are

Babies can’t do much—they are very limited. We wouldn’t expect them to be able to pick up a tv and move it, or even to be able to feed themselves. All of us are limited in ways. Just because you can’t make a basketball shot or cook your own dinner or drive yourself to school doesn’t mean you have done anything wrong. It just means you’re limited. Some of our limits we grow out of: you’ll someday be able to cook for yourself and drive yourself places. But all of us have limits our whole lives because we’re human. There are things even the strongest person in the world can’t lift. That person isn’t doing anything wrong—they’re just limited.

Accident: unintentional “messing up,” making a mistake without sinning

Sometimes we do things without meaning to that can make a mess, break things, or even hurt somebody. Sometimes I can throw a ball and it goes where I want it to, but sometimes it goes through a window and sometimes it may hit somebody else when I don’t mean for it to. Accidents may be things we have to help make right: we help clean up the mess or say we’re sorry. But they are not sinful because we were not being unloving—we just made a mistake.

Sin: intentionally violating love for God or neighbor

We are limited and we have accidents, but we also can be hurtful and unloving. We hit our brothers and sisters, disobey our parents, and speak mean words to our friends. In those moments we choose not to love and instead to be hurtful. These are the actions we need to confess by saying out loud we were wrong, and then we need to ask forgiveness from God and from the people we hurt.