Suggested: 10 minutes

Who has disappeared from your life because of politics?

Perhaps you too have experienced a complicated brew of feelings around this question. Perhaps you have started this course because, for whatever reason, you think it might finally be time to address this question.

Do this quick exercise. Set a timer for 60 seconds. In the space provided and the time allotted, write down the people who have disappeared from your lives because of political tension.

Here are some prompts:

• Who do you no longer see at church, either because they’ve left or you’ve left?
• Whose texts have you stopped seeing, because you blocked them for the offensive links that were shared?
• What out of town friend or family member have you stopped connecting with when they visit because you fear even a catch up conversation could turn to current events?
• Who has disappeared from your social media feed because their posted comments were so disagreeable?
• Which family members have stopped showing up at Thanksgiving or Christmas because of a past conflict or simmering tension about politics?
• Who have you stopped inviting to your parties? Whose parties are you no longer invited to?

If you cannot identify at least one person that fits one of these descriptions, reflect on why that is the case. What does this reality mean about how your life is constructed?

If you can identify at least one person on your list, take a look at this list of feelings.

Look back over your list and slowly read each name out loud. As you do so, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your feelings. Try to discern if a particular name tugs at you.

With that one name, ask the Holy Spirit to help you call that person to mind.

• What do they look like?
• How did you meet this person?
• What was your favorite memory of this person?
• What traits of theirs did you especially appreciate?

Suggested: 10 minutes

Split up into pairs and share your responses.