SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS

TEXT:   EPHESIANS 4:3-6             

FOCUS: Christ has destroyed the walls of prejudice through his death on the cross.

 

OPENING LINES:

It is common to notice in every secondary school, that they are 5-10 students who are exclusively special. Not officially recognized, but they seem to be causing a lot of things to happen. They possess subjective forms of beauty, style, intelligence, and other types of special skills. They draw people to themselves, students not quite their caliber, but who wish they could be. These special groups of students get along with all of the teachers, gain all kinds of glory through school programmes, and have an influential presence in just about every special activity in school.

 

BETWEEN THE LINES:

 

Describe the characteristics that make you stand out in the crowd. It could be anything from your looks, economic status, intelligence, personality, beliefs, talents, or skills.

 

Is there a certain characteristic that put you off when you see it in someone else? Explain. How could this personal dislike in you lead to discrimination?

 

How do you think God wants us to relate to others despite their looks, economic status, intelligence, personality traits, belief, talents, or skills? Rom. 12:14-18, Eph. 4:16.

 

Do you agree with these passages; is it possible to accept and be kind to every single person you come in contact with in life? Explain.

 

If someone is discriminating against you, what God-like thing could you do that would make it beneficial for them to stop?

 

 

CLOSING LINES: 

When we allow discrimination walls to fortify in our relationship with people around us, coming to an agreement on any issue will be impossible. There are all kinds of walls or barriers between people in your school and church, individually or with a group. Choose a particular barrier and develop a plan for breaking it down. Write down some specific steps you can take this week to reconcile the divided relationships this barrier has created.