DJ Hill writes about racism in the classroom and offers ways to be intentionally inclusive.

Being intentionally inclusive means that I have invested my time and energy to understand the context of others, met them at the point of their need, and actively engaged them.

“Why is there a puppet stage at a youth rally?” I wondered when I walked into a sanctuary, expecting teenagers instead of children.

My approach had to change to minister to a different culture.

It turned out that at that church anyone under the age of 25 is considered youth. So the youth rally was really a children’s service. My approach had to change to minister to a different culture. That’s one of many examples of why we must be intentional.

We approach children’s ministry differently than we approach youth ministry or a Bible study because our audience is different. We don’t dress up as a clown to preach to teenagers. Instead we employ age-appropriate methods to better engage and reach them.

Four Ways to Be Intentionally Inclusive

1. Seek to Understand

Many of us have the incredible opportunity to minister to a diverse group of people, and if we are going to be effective, we must understand them. We must take the time to know our audience in our classrooms—their history, worldview, and perspective matters. It is vital that we understand them.

Through understanding and sensitivity, we are able to meet people at the point of their need. We don’t need to make assumptions about who they are or where they are. We might need to start in the Book of Matthew or even Genesis but meet people where they are.

2. Actively Engage

Once we know who our students are and where they are, we must actively engage them. Jesus was brilliant at using parables His audience understood; He engaged them in the story. A parable about farming equipment might not make sense to a family in a metro city. A better illustration would be to discuss traffic congestion. We don’t have to be like them or change who we are, but we have to be authentic and intentional to build a relationship.

Once we are able to understand and relate to people, we must meet them at the point of their need. Engaging them allows for them to obey the teachings from God’s Word and become fully devoted followers of Him. We never change the mission or the message, but the method can change to accommodate those we are reaching.

3. Be Intentionally Inclusive

The narrative of Philip in Acts 8 is an incredible example of being intentionally inclusive. Philip understood who the eunuch was, which effected his method of ministering. The eunuch was Ethiopian, had great authority as treasurer under Queen Candace, and was going to Jerusalem to worship.

Though Philip was from a different culture, his knowledge helped him to be effective in leading the eunuch to Jesus. We can’t give proper directions to a destination if we don’t know where the person is starting his or her journey. Philip didn’t approach the Ethiopian eunuch as he would a Jew. The eunuch didn’t understand that he could be in a saving relationship with Jesus. Through the Word, Philip guided the eunuch to Jesus (Acts 8:26–36).

Though Philip was from a different culture, his knowledge helped him to be effective in leading the eunuch to Jesus. #intentionallyinclusive #racismintheclassroom Click To Tweet

Philip met him at the point of his need. Philip “began at the same scripture, and preached Jesus unto to him” (KJV). The scripture that the eunuch was reading was Isaiah 53:7–8. Isaiah references promises of favor to foreigners and eunuchs in Isaiah 56:3–8, which would contribute to the eunuch’s interest in reading Isaiah. Philip involved the eunuch in the biblical story because even he had a promise to be in a covenant relationship with Jesus.

4. Involve People in the Story

Philip was the start of the fulfillment of the gospel being spread to the uttermost part of the world (Acts 1:8). There can be unity in diversity, but it will always take intentionality. The gospel is for everyone, and we can disciple anyone if we understand them better, meet them at the point of their need, and involve them in the story.

As teachers, we can lead students to a place where they allow the Bible to transform their minds and give them the tools to reach their potential in Christ.

Being intentionally inclusive means that I have invested my time and energy to understand the context of others, met them at the point of their need, and actively engaged them.

Bio: DJ Hill is the evangelism pastor at Atlanta West Pentecostal Church and serves as director of promotions with Georgia District Youth Ministries. He was recently appointed as the director of promotions for UPCI Youth Ministries.

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