INTRODUCTION

     Faithful to the Core

     Living the Gospel Story

LIFE IN (MULTI-ETHNIC) COMMUNITY

          Sin Separates, God Pursues (Genesis 11 & 12)

          Jesus Gathers, the Church Unites (John 4, Acts 2, 10 & 11)

          A Foretaste of Heaven (Revelation 7:9-10)

          Implications of the Gospel Story (Ephesians 2:11-22)

     Our Response

          First in, then Out

          Priority of Relationships

          Call to Intentionality

          Grace Upon Grace

COMMUNITY MEDITATION

KNOW

• Read Ephesians 2:11-22. How does vertical reconciliation with God facilitate or empower horizontal reconciliation between people?
• Read Revelation 7:9-10 and 1 Peter 2:9. One of the theological implications of these texts mentioned in the sermon was that in Christ our cultural and ethnic identities are dignified and yet become secondary. What does that mean? Give some practical implications of that reality.

FEEL

• What do you personally find most challenging about having conversations around race and ethnicity (especially within Christian community)? Consider sharing your own story with friends or within your MC as a means of confronting those difficulties.

LIVE

• What practical steps could you take this week to more intentially move toward the vision of Revelation 7:9-10? Who could you pursue in genuine relationship around this call and to whom may you need to extend grace upon grace?