Honest conversations: Racism: (Children)

To download this video click the button below, you will then be taken to Vimeo where you will find a small download button just below the video.

CHAT:

Here are some questions to get you thinking

How would you describe what racism is?

Have you ever been a victim of racism or discrimination and if so what was that like?

How have recent events and the fact that more people are talking about racism and equality made you feel?

Is there anything that was spoken about either in the video or that you have heard people say recently that stands out to you, either because you are surprised, agree or disagree?

Read Matthew 22:37-39 and 1 John 4: 19-21

How do you think these verses relate to the importance of racial equality in our world and how we should respond?

Do you think there was racism and injustice in the Bible?

Can you think of any examples from the Bible either in the Old or New Testament?

There are many ways of dealing with injustice, and we don’t always deal with it well. What are some positive examples of standing up for injustice and what are some negative ones? How might we be able to tell the difference between the two?

Do you think there are ways that our country has got this wrong, how can we learn going forwards?

It can be difficult to know what to say or how to respond around issues of racism because it is such an important topic and carries so much hurt for so many, but it is important to lovingly stand together. In the Bible God reminds us that in all things we should love, racism is a problem for the heart and Jesus can transform hearts to forgive, open people’s eyes, to love more deeply and help us to be a positive part of change.

DO:

Read Micah 6:8

On a piece of paper write three headings, ‘Act justly’, ‘Love Mercy’ and ‘Walk Humbly’. All of these six words are important when it comes to responding to racism.

Under the three headings spend some time thinking through how God might want you to respond and then write a list of some things that you might do.

For example, ‘Act Justly’ might mean standing up for someone or attending a gathering. ‘Love Mercy’ might mean forgiving yourself or others, ‘Walk Humbly’ might mean listening to someone’s journey who is different from you or educating yourself around issues of racism.

Once you have a list under each of these headings, pick at least one thing from each of these categories that you will commit to doing in the next week.

PRAY:

Find a space on your own and turn off any devices or distractions that might interrupt this time with God. It is vitally important that you take time to address your heart and consider how you perceive issues of racial inequality and what God might want you to do.

Write three headings on a piece of paper, ‘My heart’, ‘Gods heart’, ‘Gods hands’ Sit in silence, clear your mind, and ask God to highlight to you anything that He might want to bring to your attention in these areas:

My Heart: Ask God if there are times where you have not dealt with the area of racism well. This could be either as a victim, someone who has acted in a racist way or as a by-stander?

God’s Heart: Ask God to show you His heart towards the issue of racism and racial inequality, wait for a few moments in silence, what do you believe God feels towards this?

God’s Hands: Finally, pray and ask God one significant change that God might want to make to your lifestyle or to the things that you do going forwards in response to this issue.