W E E K 1 r e l a t i O n S h i p

fa c i l i tat o r g u i d e

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the divid-ing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordi-nances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the house-hold of God.

e p h e s i a n s 2 : 13 - 1 9

c o n t e n t s

I N T R O D U C T I O N

P R AY E R O F U N I T Y

W E E K O N E : R E D E E M

W E E K T W O : R E L AT I O N S H I P

W E E K T H R E E : R E A L I T Y

W E E K F O U R : R E P E N TA N C E

W E E K F I V E : R E C O N C I L I AT I O N

W E E K S I X : R E I G N I T E (DINNER IN HOMES)

I N D E X : R E S O U R C E S

P A G E 4 i n t r o d u c t i o n

The guide you hold in your hand is a tangible repre-sentation of a spiritual journey. The journey started for me in May of 2015 during the six-week BRAVE Journey at Crossroads. During BRAVE everyone selected a goal we felt God was calling us to run after. I thought mine would be something about “be-ing more courageous” or “being more generous.” Something that while challenging wasn’t completely outside of what God was already doing in my life. Well, I was wrong. My brave heading was to be a voice in the city of Cincinnati for racial recon-ciliation. I don’t have time in this brief letter to tell you all of the amazing and unbelievable twists and turns from that day in May until now, but I will say one thing -- this journey has been God-ordained and I’m excited to welcome you as a fellow traveler. And be-fore we begin, I want to answer the most important question to ask about all of this - why are we doing it?

A C U LT U R A L W H Y:

Our country needs racial healing

Even a cursory scan of the national and international headlines proves that far from being an issue we’ve gotten over, the racial divide in our country and world continues to be a pressing issue. W.E.B. Dubois penned words in 1903 that sadly could have been written in 2017 when in The Souls of Black Folk he states that “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line.” It’s important as we embark on this journey that we commit ourselves to facing the reality of racial division in our city, our country, and our world. Weeks 1-3 of this guide are specifically devoted to taking an honest look at the “problem of the color-line” in the city we share and we love. We’ll start in week one by building community and trust with each other by answering a simple, yet thought provoking question: “when were you first made aware of the concept of race?” What you’ll realize is we all have a story about this, regardless of our own racial identification. What you’ll also realize is that most of our stories are rooted in lies we’ve been made to believe about what separates us from each other instead of what unites us. In weeks two and three we will look at the ways racism taints the systems and structures of our city. Our world has a need, and I think a desire for something different. Undivided is a place to begin talking and working to create a different story around race in our city.

A S P I R I T U A L W H Y:

Reconciliation is baked into the mission of the church

2 Corinthians 5:18 is the focal verse for this effort. It says “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Jesus is the ultimate reconciler. His death paved the way for you and me to be restored into right relationship (my definition of reconcilia-tion) with our Creator. And through that restored relationship we now have the gift and the calling to invite others into right relationship with God as well. And once we are in right relationship with God, he empowers us to experience right relationship with each other. Ephesians 2 says “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”

A C R O S S R O A D S W H Y:

We never shy away from an opportunity to represent Jesus

We aren’t pursuing reconciliation because it’s polit-ically correct. We aren’t pursuing it because it’s so-cial-do-goodism. We are doing this because our vi-sion to “flip the city” requires us to care about what, and more importantly, who Jesus cares about. By focusing not on what divides us, but the power that unites us, we can teach and model to our city who Jesus is. So my prayer is that as you engage honestly and authentically in this journey you will not only want reconciliation in all of your relationships, but this will fuel your passion for being part of a bigger team embracing the ministry of reconciling ALL people back to a loving God.

Big task, yes. But we serve a big God.Thanks for traveling with me. The best is yet to come.

Chuck MingoO A K L E Y C A M P U S PA S T O R , C R O S S R O A D S

P A G E 4

Heavenly Father,

We come here as Your beloved children to learn to live in "oneness" as was prayed in John 17.

We ask for open ears to hear what You want us to hear.

We ask for an open mind to receive truth to displace any lies that exists in us.

We ask for new eyes to see things from Your perspective, not ours.

And we ask for a tender heart to receive the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

p r a y e r o f u n i t y

FA C I L I TAT O R The following Prayer of Unity is here for you to pray for your group at the opening of your group time together.

P A G E 5

P A G E 6

M E S S A G E N O T E S

rede em W E E K 1

S C R I P T U R E

Ephesians 2:12-13remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the

commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise….But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

2 Cor 5:18Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

P A G E 7 W E E K 1 r e d e e m

G R O U P

FA C I L I TAT O R

FA C I L I TAT O R

As a group, answer and discuss the following questions after viewing Chuck's message:

What’s your name, how long have you been at Crossroads, why did you decide to be part of UNDIVIDED? (1 minute each)

When were you first aware of race, yours or others? (2 minutes each)

As a group, answer and discuss the following questions after viewing Troy's message:

What surprised you about the history presentation and why? (1 minute each)

Given this history, how might God use UNDIVIDED in your life, the life of Crossroads, and or our city? (2 minutes each)

The following icebreaker and questions are designed to allow you and your group to get to know one another and to process today's presentation materials. Please be sure one facilitator is timing

participants so that everyone has a chance to participate. Suggested timing is noted after each question below. The entire group should have a chance to answer one question before moving to the next question. One facilitator answers the question first to model. The other facilitator is the last to answer each question.

Facilitator can use the following statement to close your group time together in HOPE.

Army of Reconcilers In the family of God, our differences don’t need to divide us. Jesus reconciles differences and empowers the possibility of the beloved community. Both nonbelievers and believers will be attracted to an environment where differences can be discussed with grace, authenticity and understanding. Continued racial tensions in Cincinnati can hold our city hostage and Crossroads is in a unique position of influence which may move individuals, our community and our region toward greater racial understanding and if possible racial reconciliation. “Reconciliation isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable.

W R A P - U P

H O M E W O R K

1. Spend time with someone in your group (preferably someone of a different race) to reflect and elaborate on the following question: How has race impacted your relationships with others; and others with you?

2. Bring your calendar next week to schedule a group dinner during Week Six.

Before going home each week we'd like you to spend some time (3 minutes) reflecting and journaling: What are you noticing in your mind, in your heart, and in your gut after today's session?

If you want to go deeper, reflect and journal about this as well: What concept/activity is stirring you the most right now?

P A G E 8

I Promise...

____ to use the Bible as my ultimate standard of truth. It is God’s word and is more accurate than my opinions, feelings, passions and perspectives.

2 T I M O T H Y 3 : 1 6 - 1 7 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

____ to receive truth spoken to me by others. Regardless of how the message is delivered I will remember that the infor-mation is being given to help and strengthen the mission of our community and me. I will give the benefit of the doubt to the person delivering the difficult information to me.

P R O V E R B S 2 7 : 1 7 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

____ to go directly to the person I have a concern with prior to enlisting support from other people. If after the initial difficult conversation, I still don’t feel right, I will ask someone who might feel the same way if they will go with me to resume the difficult conversation. If after that interaction I haven’t been satisfied then I will find a person in a position of leadership of the church and seek their guidance.

M AT T H E W 1 8 : 1 5 - 1 7 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you...But if he will not listen, take one or two other along...If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church...”

____ to practice grace and humility throughout this journey as God works to transform my heart and the hearts of those on this journey with me. I will work to understand and employ empathy as I reveal my story and learn the stories of others in my community while making space in my understanding of multiple truths.

E P H E S I A N S 6 : 1 2 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

____ to follow through on my commitments. I realize that when I don’t do what I said I would do I dishonor God and those I’m in community with. Unfulfilled commitments put an additional burden on others that they shouldn’t bear. I commit to follow through on “I Promise” and this journey of racial reconciliation to bring God’s Kingdom closer to earth.

M AT T H E W 5 : 3 7 “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’”

N A M E _____________________________ S I G N AT U R E ______________________________________

D AT E _____________________________________

P A G E 9

S C R I P T U R E

Acts 9:10-19 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,“Ananias!”“Yes, Lord,” he answered.The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a

vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ana-nias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who ap-

peared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

W E E K 2 r e l a t i o n s h i p

M E S S A G E N O T E S

relatiOnShip W E E K 2

FA C I L I TAT O R To re engage your group, use the Homework from last week and check in:

Ask several people to share their experience as they spent time with someone in your group (preferably someone of a different race) to reflect and elaborate on the following question:How has race impacted your relationships with others; and others with you?

An Empathy activity will be demonstrated as part of the empathy presentation. Groups will have a chance to practice empathy. Groups will pair off in two’s (preferably with someone of a different race) for the Empathy activity practice.

Facilitator remember to schedule a group dinner to take place during Week Six.

P A G E 1 0

DECIDE that the person is worth connecting empathically with

IDENTIFY the emotional experience they are having/describing

RECALL a time when you have had a similar emotional experience

PLAY OUT what you wanted and needed most in that moment

* THEN, RE-ENGAGE YOUR CURIOSITY AND START OVER!

D E F I N I T I O N :

Empathy [ em-puh-thee ] :

D - I - R - P M O D E L F O R E M PAT H Y:

E M PAT H I C L A N G U A G E : N O N - E M PAT H I C L A N G U A G E :

“I hear you.”

“What do/did you need?”

“I’m so sorry that happened.”

“What are you feeling?”

“That sounds really hard.”

“I hear you, but…”

“What you need is…”

“It could have been worse!” “At least it wasn’t…”

“I know exactly how you feel.”

“You think that’s bad?”

W R A P - U P Before going home each week we'd like you to spend some time reflecting and journaling: What are you noticing in your mind, in your heart, and in your gut after today's session?

If you want to go deeper, reflect and journal about this as well: What concept/activity is stirring you the most right now?

H O M E W O R K

1. Take a Reality Data card at random and answer these questions:How am I complicit or contributing to the existence of this racial outcome?How am I allowing myself to be victimized or embittered by the racial outcomes I face?

2. Pray that your understanding will deepen as all members of your group identify a day to fast and during this day focus on Acts 3:19.

FA C I L I TAT O R To re engage your group, use the Homework from last week and check in:

Ask several people to share their experience as they spent time fasting and focusing on the Acts passage.

P A G E 1 1 W E E K 3 r e a l i t y

M E S S A G E N O T E S

real ity W E E K 3

D E F I N I T I O N :

Echo Chamber [ ek-oh cheym-ber ] :

P A G E 1 2

S C R I P T U R E

Acts 10:9-15…23-35About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted some-thing to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and some-thing like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”“Surely not, Lord!” Peter

replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called togeth-er his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in rever-ence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to asso-ciate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cor-nelius, God has heard your

prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediate-ly, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

FA C I L I TAT O R

FA C I L I TAT O R

Please time the following exercise as you also participate

G R O U P

A C T I V I T Y: W E B O F D I S PA R I T Y

With another person in your group, discuss the following question (2 minutes each):

Describe a time when you were in an echo chamber. What were the views or perspectives that were reinforced? Which views or perspectives were underrepresented, marginalized, or absent?

This experiential exercise is meant to explore important dynamics about how disparity impacts a person’s life and implications for fighting disparity.

This experiential exercise is led by an UNDIVIDED Presenter. Once the activity begins, one facilitator will start. The other facilitator will share last.

Process

1. When instructed, groups will assemble in a circle, approximately 8 (9 max) per group.

2. Each participant take a “Life Area card”, read the examples for their area, and place the card around their neck where others can see the Life Area. (If there are less than 8 in a group, discard transportation &/or regulations &/or social norms, in that order. If there are more than 8 in a group, facilitator(s) for the group will observe.)

P A G E 1 3 W E E K 3 r e a l i t y

3. The objective of the activity is to find as many interconnections between the Life Areas as possible in a given time. Each time an interconnection is found, the ball of yarn is tossed between the Life Areas involved, with the persons for those Life Areas maintaining hold of the yarn.

Note:• Each connection must be established with a SPECIFIC EXAMPLE; NOT merely saying that a connection exists.• There may be multiple connections between the same Life Areas if a person identifies examples of how a reciprocal relationship exists.

R E F L E C T I O N

W R A P - U P Before going home each week we'd like you to spend some time reflecting and journaling: What are you noticing in your mind, in your heart, and in your gut after today's session?

If you want to go deeper, reflect and journal about this as well: What concept/activity is stirring you the most right now?

H O M E W O R K

1. Take a Reality Data card at random and answer these questions:How am I complicit or contributing to the existence of this racial outcome?How am I allowing myself to be victimized or embittered by the racial outcomes I face?

P A G E 1 4

I D E N T I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T S U R V E Y: N O T E S

repentance W E E K 4

FA C I L I TAT O R Group Activity: Racial Identity Survey The objective of this activity is to provide an experience where participants learn about the pre-

dictable range of responses to disparity / group differences so they can expect and work with these differences as Kingdom Reconcilers. Our different approaches to understanding disparity and division and how we address it can lead to misunderstandings and hinder us from advancing the Kingdom.

This experiential exercise is led by an UNDIVIDED Core Team trainer.

Preparation:There are two “Racial Beliefs Survey” (one for non-dominant culture or people of color, one for dominant culture or white people). Participants are instructed to pick up their own surveys (do not hand them to participants).

A C T I V I T Y Identity Development SurveyPick up your own survey.

M E S S A G E N O T E S

P A G E 1 5 W E E K 4 r e p e n t a n c e

S C R I P T U R E

Mark 1:14-15Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preach-

ing the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 7:10Godly sorrow brings repen-tance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

G R O U P Paired Repentance ExperienceRepentance: Turning away from the things that are not of God and turning toward him.Steps of Repentance: 1. Confess the sin specifically.2. Look the confessor in the eye and say, “you are forgiven.”3. Pray this blessing over them: God bless (their name) as they turn away from (the sin confessed) and toward you. May they be a reconciler in Your Kingdom.

W R A P - U P Before going home each week we'd like you to spend some time reflecting and journaling: What are you noticing in your mind, in your heart, and in your gut after today's session?

If you want to go deeper, reflect and journal about this as well: What concept/activity is stirring you the most right now?

H O M E W O R K

Implicit social recognition or implicit bias refers to the attitudes and stereotypes that effect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which can be favorable or unfavorable, are activated involuntarily and without our awareness or intentional control. The implicit associations we harbor in our subconscious cause us to have feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance. These associations develop over a lifetime through exposure to direct and indirect messages and include the media and news as origins of implicit associations.

This week take an Implicit Association test on Race. Go to: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

You will be asked to confirm that you want to take an IAT test by clicking "I wish to proceed" located at the bottom of the screen. Do this to proceed.

On the next screen, choose the Race IAT.

This study should take 10 minutes to complete. At the end, you will receive your IAT result along with information about what it means.

Please either copy and bring your results or note your results and bring with you to the next UNDIVIDED session.

P A G E 1 6

S C R I P T U R E

2 Corinthians 5:13-21If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was

raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to him-

self in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of recon-ciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin[b]for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Revelation 7:9After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

reconciliation W E E K 5

G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N

A C T I V I T Y

We want to be a “Church that looks like Heaven” How are you living UNDIVIDED today?

A C T I V I T Y / M E S S A G E N O T E S

FA C I L I TAT O R Welcome the group back and check in to remind them about the Celebration Dinner plan next week. Homework debrief will be lead by the UNDIVIDED Presenter.

Step to the Center

P A G E 1 7

H O M E W O R K

Commit to meet for UNDIVIDED dinner. Reading through your notes and reflections over the last five weeks.

HEAD - What ideas/experiences most disrupted your current thoughts about race? How have your thoughts changed as a result?

HEART - What ideas/experiences most disrupted your current feelings about race? How have your feelings changed as a result?

GUT - What ideas/experiences most disrupted your current actions about race? How have your actions changed as a result?

What thoughts, feelings and actions are you committed to continuing to foster as a result of UNDIVIDED? What specific changes, if any, are you committing to making in your spheres of influence (i.e., family, neighborhood, work group, chil-dren's play groups, social circle, work buddies, friendship group, Facebook community, barber shop, hair salon, etc.) in order to live UNDIVIDED as a Reconciler?

W E E K 5 r e c o n c i l i a t i o n

U N D I V I D E D N E X T S T E P S

E N D O F S E S S I O N R E F L E C T I O N S

Pray about and talk with your group next week during dinner about what it might look like to move out as an army of UNDIVIDED reconcilers in our city

mobilized around any of the following:

Prison Ministry crossroads.net/prisonministry

Racial Justice Team justiceteam@crossroads.net

CityLink Center citylinkcenter.org/volunteer

What are you noticing in your mind, in your heart, and in your gut after today's session?

If you want to go deeper, reflect and journal about this as well: What concept/activity is stirring you the most right now?

G R O U P Paired Repentance ExperienceRepentance: Turning away from the things that are not of God and turning toward him.Steps of Repentance: 1. Confess the sin specifically.2. Look the confessor in the eye and say, “you are forgiven.”3. Pray this blessing over them: God bless (their name) as they turn away from (the sin confessed) and toward you. May they be a reconciler in Your Kingdom.

Whiz Kids crossroads.net/whizkids

Foster Care/Casa/Safe Families crossroads.net/fostercare

P A G E 1 8 W E E K 6 r e i g n i t e

D I N N E R I N H O M E S

reign i t e W E E K 6

Commit to Next Step & Commit to continuing to meet

S C R I P T U R E

Acts 2:42-47“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to

prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many won-ders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in com-mon. They sold property

and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate togeth-er with glad and sincere

hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

W H AT ' S N E X T For plenty of ways to keep learning and moving, find more resources at crossroads.net/undivided.What are you committed to do? What is your group committed to do? Email UNDIVIDED@crossroads.net and let us know.

FA C I L I TAT O R

Talk with your group about what it might look like to move out as an army of UNDIVIDED reconcilers in our city mobilized around any of the following UNDIVIDED Next Steps.

Prison Ministry crossroads.net/prisonministry

Racial Justice Team justiceteam@crossroads.net

CityLink Center citylinkcenter.org/volunteer

Whiz Kids crossroads.net/whizkids

Foster Care/Casa/Safe Families crossroads.net/fostercare

As you celebrate your UNDIVIDED journey together share any "Head, Heart, Gut" reflections over dinner.

P A G E 1 8

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

-mart in luther k ing , l e t t e r f r om a b i rm i n g ham jai l