We See Beauty In Diversity Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

Start Off

• Thanksgiving is this week! What are your plans, and who at your Thanksgiving table tends to bring the diversity (personality, opinions, quirks, etc.), and why?
  
  
• What’s one thing you genuinely appreciate about the diversity (backgrounds, personalities, experiences) within your small group?
  
  

Reflect on God's Word

• Read Luke 6:12-15 aloud. What does this passage communicate about how intentional Jesus was in choosing his team of twelve apostles?
  
  
• What do you think Jesus was showing the world by putting two enemies in Matthew the Tax Collector and Simon the Zealot on the same team?
  
  
• Read Matthew 5:43-48 aloud. As you reflect on these verses, what thoughts come to mind as it relates to people who are different than you?
  
  
• What does this passage teach us about God?
  
  

Go Deeper

• Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Who is hard for you to love, listen to, or stay patient with, and what would “loving them” practically look like this week?
  
  
• Ryan said: “Gratitude and a grudge cannot coexist at the same table.” What grudge might God be inviting you to release before Thanksgiving?
  
  
• Jesus didn’t just tolerate diversity; he intentionally pursued it and built his whole movement around it. Who is one person (or one kind of person) you sense God might be inviting you to pull a chair out for, to truly see beauty in? And considering the practices at the end of this guide, what could a next step towards pursuing diversity look like?
  
  

Share and Pray

• Take some time to share prayer requests and pray for one another, especially for the next step God is leading you to take when it comes to pursuing diversity.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week:

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? – Matthew 5:47

Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)

1. Pray for “That Person”. Set aside two minutes each day to pray for someone who is hard for you to love, listen to, or be patient with.
   
   
2. Extra-Mile Practice. Do one intentional act of undeserved kindness toward someone who normally drains you or rubs you the wrong way.
   
   
3. Release a Grudge Before Thanksgiving. Ask God: “Is there anything I need to let go of before I take my seat this week?” Then release one thing by naming it in prayer.
   
   
4. Sit at the Table. Look for a moment during Thanksgiving to see the beauty in the diversity around you: personalities, quirks, stories, and journeys.