How To Connect with People Who Aren’t Like You - Group Guide

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

1. Have you ever had a funny or surprising encounter with someone different from you?
   
   
2. Are you a dog person or a cat person? If you are a dog person, have you ever had a surprising or funny encounter with a cat? If you are a cat person, have you ever had a surprising or funny encounter with a dog?
   
   
3. How “same” is your circle? Are most of your friends like you?
   
   
4. Share an encounter you had with someone very different from you. What surprised you?
   
   
5. What’s a stereotype you’ve held that a relationship proved wrong?
   
   
6. Take turns reading all of Acts 10 (note: it’s a long passage). What do you see happening in this chapter, and what is your big takeaway?
   
   
7. Reread Acts 10:15 and Acts 10:28. How did God challenge Peter’s stereotypes about Gentiles?
   
   
8. When have you pushed through discomfort to connect with someone different from you?
   
   
9. Read Acts 10:34-35. How can our church better reflect Jesus’ vision of a diverse, unified community?
   
   
10. Who is one person God might be nudging you to connect with? What’s one step you’ll take?
    
    
11. Pray for courage to build bridges and open our hearts with those who are different from us.

VERSE TO MEDITATE ON AND MEMORIZE THIS WEEK

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean. (Acts 10:15)

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE (BETWEEN MEETINGS)

1. Each morning this week, pray: “Lord, show me someone different from me that you want me to see, listen to, or learn from today. Help me move toward them with love.” Keep a journal of where God nudges you and how you respond.
   
   
2. Identify one relational or cultural “threshold” (like Peter stepping into Cornelius’ house) that feels uncomfortable for you. This week, intentionally cross it by having lunch or coffee, joining a conversation, or visiting a space you normally wouldn’t.
   
   
3. Write down a stereotype you hold about a particular group of people. Then, intentionally seek a story, conversation, or perspective that challenges that stereotype.
   
   
4. Have a 15–30-minute conversation with someone different from you. Don’t debate; just ask questions and listen to their story. Afterwards, thank them and reflect on what surprised you.
   
   
5. Like Cornelius, practice generosity toward someone outside your normal “tribe.” It could be financial, but it could also be offering time, encouragement, or help.