The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3

Opening Prayer 

An Invitation to Brave Space
By Micky ScottBey Jones inspired by a poem by Beth Strano

Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know,
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work in it side by side….

Check In
Here we are in Week 3 of our Beloved Community series. How are you feeling this week? What emotions came up for you while doing the Implicit Bias course? Consider using the “Feelings Words” tool to guide your reflections.

The Sermon
While Jesus’s vision for the church was one of unity, it is said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week. It seems that Jesus’s prayers fell on deaf ears. Racism is a sin we continue to run up against as a people. It appears to be deeply ingrained in us. Let’s take a few minutes to discuss the sermon before diving into the Implicit Bias training from this week.

John 17:20-23

“I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word.  I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me.”

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
    to proclaim release to the prisoners
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
    to liberate the oppressed,

• What words, phrases, or concepts jump out to you from these two scriptures?
• What resonated with you the most from the sermon this week? What challenged you?
• In what ways do you see the church liberating the oppressed?
• What examples come to mind of how the world knows God’s love through our actions?
• How might you start doing these things in your own life?

Transition
As we transition to our discussion of Implicit Bias, it is important to remember that All humans have Implicit Bias. This is our opportunity to create Brave Space together.

Implicit Bias Course
Asking: Questioning Implicit Bias

“The issue is not proving whether we are good or bad but whether we have been exposed to a society’s messages which include stereotypes and certain biases. While we don’t have the ability to decide whether or not we will have implicit biases, we do have the ability to disrupt and transform them into those which support our stated beliefs, values, and commitments.”

• Reflect on the First Thoughts exercise from last week. What stereotypes do you notice? What is the source of your thought patterns? Who benefits from your biases?

“Bring the implicit to the explicit.” – We can’t change our biases overnight! These are ideas and feelings rooted deep within us that we might not even realize we have. The point of these exercises and questions is to help us bring these biases to light so that, in time, we can rework and reframe these ideas to align with our beliefs and values.  

• What difference, if any, does it make when implicit bias is defined as sin? Does it increase or decrease your feeling of responsibility? Why? 
• Scientists define implicit bias in terms of a natural mechanism of the brain. Does this change how you think about our responsibility for implicit bias? Why or why not?

Check Out
What was the most challenging aspect about our discussion this week? What was the most life-giving? How will you use this discussion to create Brave Space in your life?

Closing Prayer
Creator, thank you for another week and time to come together as a group to discuss these important topics. Continue to work in our hearts individually as we try to weed out the bias we are finding we have. Give us courage as a church to change our corporate thinking and inspire us in new ways to reach those inside and outside of our church and our communities. Amen.

Instructions for Next Week

1. Complete the third and final training module called Doing: Transforming Implicit Bias.
2. Continue to do the homework from the course and come prepared to share your reflections with your group. This can include your struggles, your questions, any “ah-ha!” moments, or any discoveries you’ve made about yourself.
3. Plan to be in worship next week or listen to the sermon online. This will be the final sermon of our Beloved Community series and you do not want to miss it!