R.A.C.E. Toward Jesus: A Juneteenth Small Group Resource

GCORR invites you to use this Juneteenth worship and study resource, adapted from our Lenten devotional resource “Transform Us: Journeying with Jesus Towards a New Church.” The devotional was inspired by themes from our Racial Justice Prayer and Action Challenge: lament, repentance, hope, liberation, healing, and reconciliation.

This worship and study resource focuses on the R.A.C.E. framework – a format for individual and communal reflection in wrap-up time on day 7 of the Transform Us Lenten devotional. Reflection prompts are different for both white and BIPOC participants to honor and embrace these differences. This 6-session worship and study resource can be used in personal and group study and reflection. The basic framework is below:

• Reflect on how my white privilege and participation in white supremacy has shaped the ways I look at Jesus and my faith,

• Assess the ways in which I may need to repent,

• Challenge the white normative ways I engage Jesus and my faith individually and in community with others, and

• Encounter Jesus in a new way using non-dominant cultural lenses.

The purpose of this framework is so that both white participants and BIPOC participants can examine how systemic oppression and systemic racism affects and harms the human family. Facilitators are invited to encourage participants to use this time as one of self-reflection. Participants may write reflections in a journal, write on a piece of paper, or sit quietly as they silently reflect on each prompt of the R.A.C.E. framework.

Our prayer is that as you engage this Juneteenth resource in this Pentecost season, the Spirit of God would meet you in a new, fresh way, transforming your head, mind and spirit. May Jesus meet you anew on your faith journey!

Preview the study below: