Episode 13: Race & The Christian Family, Part 1

10.21.20 | Making History Podcast

    LISTEN

    SHOW NOTES
    Questions we ask
    1. As a black woman and mom, what has it been like for you, especially in the last couple of months, as this conversation continues?
    2. What is it like raising three black children in today’s world?
    3. How do you talk to your kids about racism, considering the different ages and stages they might be in?
    4. How do you say this to the family out there who may say they don’t have a lot of diversity present in their everyday lives?
    5. As parents who are trying to raise world changers and passionate followers of Christ, what is the most important thing you can teach them about this conversation?
    6. What are some practical ways we can continue to step into this conversation even when diversity doesn’t feel like it’s a part of our everyday lives?
    Highlights:
    • For black mothers and fathers, this isn’t a new conversation.
    • We’ve been waiting 70 years for people we die for to love us back.
    • We need people to come in and allow us to process the grief. It’s a cumulative lifetime that you have been waiting for justice.
    • Christians are supposed to be known for LOVE. What is love? What does it look like?
    • Have conversations. Talk. Do check-ins with your children as they process this conversation.
    • Tension doesn’t mean absence of love, tension means you have to lean in and ask the hard questions.
    • God is not opposed to the questions. He welcomes the questions.
    • I am going to have a soft heart and love anyway!
    • Talking about and learning facts about history is important.
    • Age appropriate conversations are key: what are they noticing and how do you meet them in that moment to help educate them on where they are and how we grow?
    • We need to have and continue the race conversation with our kids, no matter what our families look like.
    • Start off by noticing difference. As you see difference, you can begin to have the conversation of “why?” Embrace these conversations. And make sure they feel included.
    • We can celebrate all the unique and wonderful qualities that each person has! We want to see people at a heart level and see everything they are, too.
    • Family challenge to experience diversity: get out in the community. Try new restaurants. Read things by authors from different cultures. Have conversations and learn together. Diversity doesn’t have to be hard!
    • Two things:
      1. Love people. I am going to be “others centered.” Love people enough to get in their lives.
      2. Be honest.
    • Let’s get into each other’s mess. Let’s listen. Let’s sit together.
    • The closer I am to a person and the closer I am to their story, they more personal it becomes to me.
    • We are God’s hands and feet. This is our calling. Every time we step out into the world, we get to be this to others. He does work through His people!
    • You need to tell your story because you are the answer to someone else’s prayer.
    • Notice. You will see diversity even if you don’t realize it. There’s diversity all around us if we lean into it and see it.
    • Celebrate differences! And talk about those things! Have the conversation early and often!
    • We pray for UNITY: For us to be ONE under Christ.
    • He didn’t call us to not be diverse, He called us to not be divided!
    Resources:
    • Free Game Friday
      Blog by Jamesetta Cleveland
    • Topical Index: Racial Equality
      From our Parent Resource Page, this index provides suggested scriptures, articles, kids' books, adult books, and other podcasts to help your family learn more about and tackle this tough topic.