Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What insights did you gain from the message this past Sunday? What was most helpful for you? What did you find uncomfortable?

2. What has been your previous experience of inclusion and belonging in churches (including Cedar Ridge)? What has helped you feel a sense of belonging? What has made you feel less included?

3. In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (NRSVUE) What do you think he means by this? In what ways is seeing beyond identities like race and gender helpful in being inclusive, and in what ways could it be unhelpful?

4. In the message on Sunday, we reflected on the metaphor of bounded and centered sets as a way of thinking about inclusivity in communities. Why do you think churches seem to have struggled so much down through the ages with conflict and exclusion, when the founder of the movement (Jesus) was so inclusive?

5. What might be some of the advantages of being a “bounded” community, where there is a clearly defined boundary about who belongs? In what ways could this help with inclusion, and in what ways could it hinder it? What might be some of the potential weaknesses and dysfunctions of a community like this, and how could they be avoided?

6. What might be some of the advantages of being a “centered” community, where belonging is determined by a journey towards a vision? In what ways could this help with inclusion, and in what ways could it hinder? it What might be some of the potential weaknesses and dysfunctions of a community like this, and how could they be avoided?

7. How could the whole notion that we are all on a journey and “works in progress” encourage inclusion and belonging? How could it help with the initiation and resolution of disagreement and conflict?

8. Read the passage below and discuss how you could apply this to your own group and/or your role as part of the larger community at Cedar Ridge. What would a community like this look like? What actions do you need to take? After discussion spend some time praying for one another—and if you are reflecting on these questions alone, pray for our church community as a whole.

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind… Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 (The Message)

 

This week try to set aside a brief time each morning to read this passage again. Read slowly, and intentionally absorb the words and concepts. After reading, sit quietly and reflect on all the people you are likely to encounter today – family, friends, co-workers, etc. Invite God into this reflective space, and set your posture to one of compassion (as in this passage). Let compassion soak into your stance towards each person. Return to this stance throughout your day, and take ownership of any negative or critical attitudes by consciously looking for the best in others and taking responsibility to do your own best to bring it out in them.