Love Alike: A Small-Group Practice Engaging Faith & Politics
Sameness or solidarity? Can we not “love alike,” as we were encouraged to do by John Wesley?
Love Alike is a three-part small group resource designed for communities seeking deeper conversations around identity, justice, and inclusion through the lens of faith. Grounded in Wesleyan theology and shaped by real-life stories, each session invites participants into meaningful reflection on how we live out God’s call to love—not in sameness, but in solidarity.
What’s included:
Part One: Foundations of Love
Explore what it means to “love alike” through scripture, theology, and the Wesleyan emphasis on grace, belonging, and transformation.
Part Two: Loving in Difference
Engage in honest conversations about identity, privilege, and making space for others. Includes stories and prompts to spark courageous dialogue.
Part Three: Becoming Beloved Community
Reflect on how your community can move from conversation to commitment. Encourages shared imagination, storytelling, and action.
Each session includes:
Opening prayers or grounding practices
Scripture-based teaching and reflection
Guided discussion questions
Invitations to deeper listening and spiritual growth
Perfect for:
Justice teams and Reconciling congregations
Church small groups and Sunday school classes
Faith communities beginning or deepening their inclusion journey
Format: Three downloadable PDFs (Parts 1–3) | Each part contains 4 lessons
Best For: Groups of 4–12 people | No prior theological training needed
Lent is a season often likened to the wilderness. But what happens when the wilderness feels all too real? In a world marked by struggle and injustice, this season invites us to wrestle with the deeper commitments of faith – the ambitions of the spirit we signed up for on this walk with Jesus.
Through this devotional, you will explore what it means to be a people of justice, mercy, and love in the face of discomfort and uncertainty. In the wilderness, transformation is possible, both in us and in the world we are called to help shape.
Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?
John Wesley’s exhortation seems harder than ever to follow today.
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election indicate that Americans are divided almost equally. But as people of faith, United Methodists have a responsibility to lead in ways that foster healthy interaction and build communities where all God’s people can thrive.
This 3-part guided discussion series is a small-group practice in having tough conversations about faith and politics.
Through this series, you won’t cease to disagree, but you’ll learn together how to navigate disagreement with grace, charting a path toward healing in our divided society.
The reflection guide was designed to help communities and congregations better understand and respond to the decisions of the 2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
What’s inside?
The Next Faithful Steps includes guides for four holistic, discussion-based sessions. Each lesson guide includes insightful summaries of General Conference work and results, as well as meaningful discussion prompts, prayer, scripture, reflection, discussion questions, and suggestions for continued engagement.
How do I get it?
For your whole small group or church, The Nexts Faithful Steps is $20 and you can get it here. Your purchase helps Reconciling Ministries Network to keep equipping our denomination, from individuals to institutions, to keep moving forward toward justice and affirmation for all of God’s children.
If your community is interested in this product but cost is a barrier, please reach out to us at admin (at) rmnetwork.org.
Say More is a resource meant to support you and your community as you engage in thoughtful reflection and conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion. We hope to empower you to share your story with others to further the causes of inclusion and justice both within The United Methodist Church and your own local context.
Say More is for communities and congregations who want to begin or continue facilitating conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion. Whether this is your first time, or one opportunity among hundreds, we all benefit when we allow the stories of others to touch us deeply while also sharing our own reflection, testimony, and witness.
The foundation of Say More was developed by Rev. Dr. Tiffany Steinwert.
A good toolkit contains a variety of tools that will help you accomplish your task. It may not contain every tool you will need to finish the job, but it contains the basics to get you started. That’s the intention of this Parent Support Group Toolkit. We believe this will help you develop and lead a gathering of the loved ones of queer and trans people: parents, grandparents, siblings, and more.
What’s included:
5 track options for learning about your LGBTQ+ loved ones, each representing a different way to engage your group based on interest
Meeting logistics and planning guide
Sample group rules and parameters of confidentiality
We hope this Toolkit companions you and your fellow families. Thank you for your ministries of affirmation and community-building! The time and love you pour into a parents support group are vital for changing – even saving – LGBTQ+ lives.
On Sunday morning, we gather together. We are every color. Every age. Rich and poor. Our church is open, affirming, and accepting. We believe in love instead of hate. There’s room for everyone This book celebrates a spiritual community that embraces all people–no matter their age, race, class, gender identity, or sexual orientation–in love and faith.
Are you LGBTQ+? Not sure? Whether you’re queer or questioning, understanding sexuality and gender identity can be confusing. God loves you exactly as you are. No matter your identity or where in your journey of self-discovery you find yourself, you got this.
What does nonbinary really mean? What is gender nonconforming? And isn’t they a plural pronoun? In this charming and disarming guide, a real-life they-using genderqueer writer unpacks all your burning questions in a fun, visual way. No soapboxes or divisive comment-section wars here!
Transfigured offers a 40-day exploration of scripture through the lens of a God who is the designer of gender in all it’s magnificent variety.
Talking with your child about gender identity can seem overwhelming–but with the right guidance, you can have healthy conversations and create an affirming environment for them as they grow. Whether your child is cisgender, gender expansive, transgender, or still unsure, this guide provides practical advice and strategies to help you embrace them for who they are and support them as they approach puberty.
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians provides access into an underrepresented and misunderstood community and will change the way readers think about transgender people, faith, and the future of Christianity.
