Kainos: Seeking the Multiethnic Church with Dr. Bryan Loritts

Discussion Questions Consider the following: What is the gospel, and what is the primary fruit of it?Rich talked about six layers of conversation and action—theological, historical, sociological, political, ecclesiological, and formational. How can these perspectives help you to better serve your people and community?Have you heard of the concept of family systems? How could it contribute to your ministry? Take some time and reflect on the ways you've been formed, considering them in light of the gospel.ResourcesThe Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of JesusGood and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World

Discussion Questions Emotional health is not a Christianized way to feel happy all the time; it's about becoming familiar with what's happening on the inside of your heart. And it's impossible to become a loving person without becoming emotionally healthy. Have you ever considered this? What's one way you can grow in emotional health this week? The goal is not to be a perfect church, but a healthy church—one where people can heal and grow. What ministries or resources do you have for each category? How can you better care for people with this in mind?How have you seen political idolatry or enmeshment in your context? How does the gospel challenge that?ResourcesEmotionally Healthy SpiritualityPete Scazzero - Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

Discussion Questions Stressors are inevitable; stress is depending on ourselves rather than the Lord. What is one situation in which you need to depend on the Lord rather than yourself?Church planting starts with the community, not the church service. How can you better reach those in your community with the gospel?Leadership should be a reflection of our fellowship. Is this true of your church or ministry? If so, how can you showcase the gospel through that? If not, how can you take steps to make this so?Ask God to change your heart and show you the beauty of his multiethnic family through his Word. Ask him to give you someone with whom you can pursue a multiethnic friendship.ResourcesThe Stressless LifeHope Church

Discussion Questions Proximity breeds empathy and distance breeds suspicion. Which relational environment are you prone to foster? What's one way you can take a step toward or deepen proximity?What does your table look like? What friendships are you making across the divide? How can you begin pursuing a meaningful friendship right now? ResourcesA Fellowship of Differents: Showing the World God's Design for Life TogetherBonhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance Life Together

Discussion Questions Read 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, where Paul tells us about his diverse relationships, evidence that he's all-in to the vision of taking the gospel to all nations. How does Scripture inform your approach to this vision?Many think of ethnicity and culture as the same thing. Look up the definitions for each one. What are the differences? Now, read Acts 6. How are ethnicity and culture at play?Thinking about C1s, C2s, and C3s, which group(s) does your leadership favor? What can you learn from that, and what's one thing you can seek to change moving forward? ResourcesRight Color, Wrong CultureBeing the Church in a Multi-Ethnic Community“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Discussion Questions Is the culture of your church or ministry one that invites others into your doctrine or one that stands in contrast to your doctrine?Do you use vertical and horizontal language when sharing the gospel? What's one way you can incorporate that into your ministry this week?Is your church or ministry's approach to the gospel one that encourages living the way Jesus did as you care for the physical needs of others? How could this understanding of a robust gospel change the way you love the people both inside and outside of your church or ministry?

Discussion Questions When it comes to vision and growth, are your people ready, resistant, or reluctant? What's one way you can do the work necessary to prepare the culture of your church or ministry?Why are certain people in your community comfortable with not coming to church? What would it look like to reach them with the gospel and disciple them?“People will not stop to hear our gospel doctrine if our gospel culture is unloving, unkind, unforgiving, racist, greedy, etc.” How does your church or ministry's culture need to change in order for people to better hear your gospel doctrine?

Discussion Questions “The goal of God is unity. If you preach gospel unity, you're going to get diversity.” What is one way you can grow in preaching gospel unity?Read Ephesians 2. What does this passage say about God? What does it say about gospel unity?Spend time in prayer. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you areas in which you personally and your church or ministry can grow in gospel unity. Ask God to provide the desire, resources, and people to start or continue pursuing this.

Discussion Questions “The multiethnic church represents the power and integrity of the gospel.” Ask God how you can pursue this display of the gospel in your own context.Who is your audience? How can you adjust—not change—your style to better reach them with the gospel?

Discussion Questions Have you heard of Tom Skinner? Spend some time this week learning about him and his ministry using the resources from this episode.How are you contributing to your people's biblical integrity? Ask God for help as you lead them to be the visible expression of the unity of the body of Christ.Do you gravitate toward the extreme of attack or of white idolization? Ask God to reveal these idols to you and help you surrender them to him.Are you assuming more burden than you should for making your church or ministry multiethnic? Ask God to help you fulfill your role and for the organization as a whole to share this burden.How can you help your minority leaders thrive, not only in the now but for the long haul? What's one way you can improve your organization's environment this week? This month? This year?