CONNECT

Share a story about a friend or family member with whom you have a strong bond, despite differing beliefs.

Think back to a moment when someone confided something personal in you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?

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ENGAGE

Read John 4:1-30 together.

• What stands out to you about Jesus’ approach in this interaction?
• How does Jesus demonstrate both grace and truth in his conversation with the Samaritan woman? How does he gently nudge the woman towards self-reflection?
• What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ example about engaging with people who may be different from us or hold different beliefs?

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APPLY

• How can we, following Jesus' model, lead with grace in conversations about difficult topics, even while holding firm to our beliefs?
• How can we hold fast to our convictions while showing genuine respect and compassion for those who disagree with us?
• Think of a person in your life with whom you have a strained relationship due to differing beliefs. How can you approach them with more grace in the future?

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Activity

Divide into pairs and choose a current political or social issue where opinions differ strongly. Take turns playing the role of someone with an opposing viewpoint. Practice respectfully discussing the topic while focusing on understanding their perspective and finding areas of potential agreement.

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PRAYER

Ask for wisdom and guidance to follow Jesus' example of leading with grace while holding to truth. Pray for opportunities to have loving conversations with those who see things differently.

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GOING DEEPER

Menlo Midweek Podcast—Tune in every Wednesday for a conversation with the previous week’s speaker. It’s a deeper dive into the message and an engaging time to learn, reflect, grow.

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