As we consider how to walk alongside families in our church regarding the current and past issues of racism in America, what resources have churches or individuals found helpful? I am looking specifically for things that help guide parents to have meaningful conversations with their kids or resources for how they can take action steps as a family.
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How is it possible that there seems to so little discussion about a primary cause of poverty and racial disparity--that is education? Let's have a major discussion on the need for more Christian and/or charter schools for inner-city kids? A large majority of inner city parents desire better education for their children, yet the church seems to ignor this issue.
Agreed--I worked at a central city Christian school for many years and now work for my church's children's ministry. I would love to find ways to help the families in my church as they teach their children about racial issues within our country.
I have the book And Social Justice for All by Lisa Van Engen. It has a chapter on race and at the end of the chapter includes discussion questions for different age groups (3-6, 7-11, 12+). It also has things you can do with those age groups (often the suggestion is reading a particular book together). I haven't read through the whole chapter (or the whole book), but what I've looked at has been very helpful!
Here are a few ideas to consider:
The Gospel in Color — For Kids is written to facilitate honest conversations about race and racial reconciliation between kids and their parents.
https://shop.wearepatrol.com/collections/all/products/the-gospel-in-color-kids?variant=32628496597091
Read books that include diversity in illustration and culture: http://hereweeread.com/2019/04/15-multicultural-christian-picture-books-for-children.html#comments
List of titles from the magazine Today’s Parent: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/books/kids-books-that-talk-about-racism
I would highly recommend the books "The Gospel in Color." I am working through these with my kids and they have a book for parents and a book for kids to read through with the parents. The beauty of these solid resources is that they rightfully diagnose the problem (sin, and the believing lies) and the solution, (the Gospel!). This is a great time to talk to your children about it all and having resources that are centered on the Gospel is extremely necessary.
Books available here: https://shop.wearepatrol.com/collections/tgic
I found these books at a conference I attended in California for artists and creatives called CANVAS. Amazing conference put on by the ministry of Humble Beast Records. I highly recommend their resources as well.
Hi Kelli! The picture book God's Very Good Idea from the fabulous Tales the Tell the Truth series is perfect for framing diversity as part of God's plan from the very beginning. I can't say enough about this series. The books are true to Scripture, they have literary merit, and the illustrations sparkle.
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