Road Trip- Week 3- February 26

It’s hard to remember all the social pressures that students feel. Everywhere they go, labels are highlighted and people are outcast. For students to break this mold and show acceptance to all people, they have to get WAY outside of the norm.

• Why do you think most people only hang out with people who are alot like them?
• Why do you think people make assumptions about others who are different from them?

Acts 20:1-4 NIV
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement
to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

Colossians 3:11-12 NIV
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

• Over the course of Paul’s lifetime, he changed the way he treated all people. Why do you think Paul changed?
• How do you think Jesus views our differences from each other?
• How would our home/schoo/church look different if we accepted everyone who walked through the doors?
• In what ways would treating someone like they matter—even though differences still exist—be beneficial for you and the other person?
• Name one practical way you could treat everyone like they were someone this week, even though it doesn’t come naturally?

Holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace. Lead us to love our enemies, and transform our words and deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...

"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."