OUTCOMES
To begin to locate ourselves and act accordingly.
WHY?
Social location is the groups people belong to because of their place or position in history and society. All people have a social location that is defined by their gender, race, social class, age, ability, religion, sexual orientation, and geographic location. Each group membership confers a certain set of social roles and rules, power, and privilege (or lack of), which heavily influence our identity and how we engage/see the world. As we become aware of our ever-changing social location, we gain greater awareness of our place in engaging with our communities and God’s redemptive mission.
Watch
Discuss Questions
- What is Esther’s gender?
- What is Esther’s race/ethnicity?
- What is Esther’s social class?
- What are Esther’s abilities?
- What is Esther’s religion?
- What is Esther’s geographic location?
- Who are Esther’s allies?
- What are Esther’s communities?
- What is the situation of Esther’s people?
- What are the needs of Esther’s people?
- What does Esther’s community need from her?
- What are Esther’s barriers?
- Who are Esther’s foes?
- How do Esther’s allies engage with Esther?
- How does Esther respond to her social location?
- How does God work through Esther?
- What else would you ask about Esther?
What is your gender?
What is your race/ethnicity?
What is your social class?
What are your abilities?
What is your religion?
What is your geographic location?
Do you have a community you can trust in times of need?
What is the situation of your community?
What are the needs of your community?
What are the current realities of your family?
What are the needs of your family?
What are the current realities of your church?
What are the needs of your church?
What are your barriers?
What else would you ask about yourself?
- If Esther/Mordecai do not know they’re Jewish, what impact does it have on the outcome?
- If Esther does not have Mordecai, what impact does it have on the outcome?
- Knowing your own social location, including the needs of the people around you, how do you want to respond and engage those needs?
- Refer back to God’s Redemptive Mission sessions for possible examples
- Brainstorm together of different things you can do
- Optional: Sharing personal examples could possibly be helpful
Can think about these questions:
How can we be an ally
Who can be community (Mordecai) to us?
** This exercise can be used with any character of the Bible**