February 21st, 2025
by Amanda Stanley and Sherrill Wall
by Amanda Stanley and Sherrill Wall
CoreGroup Guide | The Beloved Community - Part 3
Written by Amanda Stanley and Sherrill Wall
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,
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.”
“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.
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
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
- Complete the third and final training module called Doing: Transforming Implicit Bias.
- 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.
- 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!
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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