Being Human:Practicing Inclusion

Like Jesus Did

 OWhen Jesus was alive, society was very judgmental. People were treated differently because of the way they looked, their sex, their religion and even their health.

O Read “Who Will Sit at the Table?” on page 47 in Be With Me.

OIdentify: OWho are the Pharisees?

OWhat does it mean to be “ritually clean” or “ritually unclean”?

OHow were social gatherings exclusive in Jesus’ time?

O Jesus tried to include all different types of people when he spoke and he even accepted people who were considered outcasts to be his friends.

O Jesus took risks in accepting outcasts and taught that these people are the ones who need our help most. Jesus healed the blind, crippled and people with leprosy.

ODid this inclusion lead to problems for Jesus with the Pharisees?

 O Read “Inclusivity Leads to Peace” on

page 48 in Be With Me.

OIdentify:OHow does exclusion

directly lead to violence?

OWhat is human dignity?

OThe Church defines violence as anything which harms the dignity of a human being.

OGive 5 examples of violence:

OAs Christians, we strive to make the world more fair, especially for people who have more challenges than others.

OThis is known as social justice. For example, we give what we can to the poor because they have a great need. We help the sick, we comfort the dying and most of all, we celebrate our gifts and our differences.

INCLUSIVITYO When we exclude people, we limit their ability

to grow and experience life fully.O We can also lose their gifts/talents and all they

can teach us.O Jesus teaches that we have a responsibility to

meet the needs of all human beings.O We are required as Christians to put the needs

of the poor first so they can be included.O Humans are social beings, that means we are

made to be in relationships with others and live in communities with others.

Create a symbol that reminds us to be inclusive: