AY Honors/Cultural Diversity Appreciation/Answer Key

Objective: To develop an awareness and appreciation for the cultural diversity within our church and society.

1. Define culture and cultural diversity.

Culture: The arts, customs, and habits that characterize a particular society or nation. The beliefs, values, behavior and material objects that constitute a people's way of life.
Cultural diversity: Cultural diversity is the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole.

2. Define stereotype and identify how you may have stereotyped people in the past.

Stereotype: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. A person who is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.

Stereotyping means that we make a judgment about a person based on what we think we know about that "type" of person (i.e., because of the person's race, sex, religion, etc). Sometimes this judgment is subconscious, and we are not even aware that we have made a judgment at all. An example would be a sudden feeling of fear upon seeing a person of a different race in a lonely place, or the automatic assumption that because a person is female, she must like to bake or sew, or she cannot repair an automobile.

3. Study the following Bible texts and answer the questions.

a. 1 Corinthians 9:20 How does this text explain the importance for a Christian to have a cultural diversity awareness?

1 Corinthians 9:20: To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. - NIV

In order to reach people of a different culture, it is important to understand that culture. For them to feel accepted by you, you should consider adopting some of their practices, as Paul did. This shows that you have an open mind and are genuinely interested in them. It will also serve to encourage them to build trust in you.

b. Galatians 3:27 What does this text say about all who are in the family of Christ?

Galatians 3:27: for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. - NIV

This passage indicates that all believers are equal in the eyes of Christ.

c. Ephesians 2:14 What should be the result of accepting Christ Jesus into our lives? How do you plan to apply this message to your everyday life?

Ephesians 2:14: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. - NIV

The barrier spoken of in this verse is the one that existed at that time between the Jews and the Gentiles. However, the lesson can be applied between peoples of any two cultures, and should not be viewed as having an application only between Jews and Gentiles. Christians should accept and love other Christians as Christ does.

4. Develop a friendship with a boy, girl or older person from your church, school or community whose cultural background is different from yours and conduct research from the following: library, internet, videos, encyclopedia, etc, about the culture. Arrange an interview with this family and complete the following:

a. Where did the culture originate?

b. What language is spoken?

c. What religions are prominent in that society?

d. What foods are typically eaten for:
(1) Breakfast
(2) Lunch
(3) Supper

e. How are eating habits influenced by the food available in that country?

f. Are there cultural traditions that are different from yours? What are they?

g. Do people of this culture celebrate the holidays that we celebrate? What customs do they have for celebrating the different holidays?

h. What customs or traditions from the original culture have been continued by the family in this country?

i. Is the dress different from dress in your culture?

j. Identify at least 5 ways in which you are similar and 5 things which make you different and tell how your attitude or feelings towards people of different cultural backgrounds has effected you? How do you feel about your differences?

k. Attend church with your friend if it is a different church than yours, or attend a church service of a different cultural group. Identify 3 similarities and 3 differences you observe in the church services.

References