Gateway Church
This weekend, Miles McPherson, the founding senior pastor of the Rock Church, shares a message titled “The Third Option” where he talks about ways to help heal and unify a racially divided nation.
Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV
Honor the presence of the image of God in everyone you see.
In-Group/Out-Group
The way we sort people into groups that are either “like me” or “not like me,” creating “us” vs. “them”
In-Group Bias
The tendency to give preferential treatment to people considered “like me”
In-Group Bias
1. I am more comfortable with those “like me.”
2. I am more inclined to spend time socially with those “like me.”3. I am more patient with those “like me.”
4. I give the benefit of the doubt quicker to those “like me.”5. I express more grace when mistakes are made by those “like me.”
6. It is easier to communicate with those “like me.”
7. I assume that I will get along easier with those “like me.”
8. I am more willing to go out of my way to help those “like me.”
9. I possess more positive assumptions about those “like me.”
Out-Group Discrimination
1. I am less comfortable with those “not like me.”
2. I am less inclined to spend time socially with those “not like me.”
3. I am less patient with those“not like me.”
4. I give the benefit of the doubt less to those“not like me.”
5. I express less grace when mistakes are made by those “not like me.”
6. It is more difficult to communicate with those “not like me.”
7. I don’t assume I will get along with those “not like me.”
8. I am less willing to go out of my way to help those “not like me.”
9. I possess less positive assumptions about those “not like me.”
The Third Option
Honor: Placing a priceless value on your out-group
Social Narrative
The story that defines how we see the world
1. Acknowledge your blind spots.
Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV
I John 1:8-10 NKJV
2. Rename me as your “brother” / “sister.”
No More “Those People”
I John 4:20 NKJV
3. Give “In-Group” love to your “Out-Group.”
Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV
4. Acknowledge your “brother’s”/ “sister’s” color.
Proverbs 22:2 NKJV
5. View every “conversation” as a race “consultation.”
James 1:19-20 NKJV
6. Give your heart to those “not like you”!
#thethirdoptionchallenge
What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?