Curiosity and Empathy Playlist

Curiosity and Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand how and why others feel the way they do, and we develop our empathy for others through genuine curiosity, patience, kindness, and good listening. Honing our curiosity and empathy is a tremendously important foundational practice for the work of anti-racism.

Start by reading the Bible Story or watching the video and going through the wondering/discussion questions. Then pick the activities your family or small group would like to do, as many or few as you like. Close your time with prayer – use your own or the one provided.

Bible Story
Read the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 in your favorite Bible.

Read the story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10 from your favorite Bible or watch the story video below.

Wonder/Discussion Questions

For children

  • I wonder why the Golden Rule is called “golden”?
  • I wonder how you can practice the Golden Rule?
  • Cornelius and Peter were different from each other. How did they practice the Golden Rule?
  • Have you ever been friends with someone who was different from you? I wonder what that was like? Was it hard or easy or both sometimes?

For Youth and Adults

  • What is the like to follow the Golden Rule when other people treat you well? What about when people treat you poorly? How would Jesus say the Golden Rule applies to an enemy?
  • Paul and Cornelius were from different groups – Paul was a Jew and Cornelius was a Roman Gentile. What do you think their meeting would have been like without their visions from God? What were some of the challenges they had to overcome when they met each other?
  • Have you ever been friends with someone who was different from you? What has been easy about that friendship? What has been difficult? What are things that help you understand your friend better?
  • The Golden Rule says that we should treat others the way we would like to be treated. Are racial minorities in this country treated the way that you would like to be treated? Why or why not?

Prayer

Dear God, you call us to be friends with people who are different from us. Give us curiosity and empathy so we can understand our friends and their experiences. Help us to love each other the way that you love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activities

Matching Colors and Feelings: Sometimes people describe their feelings using colors. For example, if someone is feeling sad, they might say they are “blue.” For each scenario below, try to imagine how you would feel. Using markers or crayons, write down the name of the emotion in a color that matches the feeling. For children who do not yet write, color a circle of a color that matches the feeling. After time to reflect on each scenario, share your answers. How would you feel if…

  • there was a tornado coming?
  • your dog got out and ran away?
  • you got an “A” on a hard test at school?
  • your best friend had to move to a new city?
  • you found out you were getting a new brother or sister?
  • someone called you a mean name?
  • you went on a bike ride with your friends?

Word Search

Books

We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates

Say Something by Peggy Moss

Other Resources

There is much racial unrest right now. If you have not had a conversation with your children about race and racism or you just aren’t sure where to start, check out some of these resources.

https://michiganumc.org/resources/childrens-ministry-tool-box/faith-family-playlists/talking-about-race-and-racism-with-children/

https://michiganumc.org/resources/childrens-ministry-tool-box/faith-family-playlists/anti-racism-with-children-playlist/

This playlist is adapted from Deep Blue Life Anti-Racism lessons.

Videos

Watch this brief biographical video about Jackie Robinson. What do you think Jackie felt as he faced discrimination? As he was rejected and ignored by his teammates? As he was being forced to use other hotels from his teammates? As he faced threats by people because of the color of his skin? What should we do when we see people being treated this way?

Music