Unfortunately, we have been socialized to think racially and prejudicially. Teaching our children otherwise will take effort, but it’s worth it. Don’t you think?

Below are five ways that we parents can teach our children about racial reconciliation from a biblical standpoint. Please share your experiences in the comment box below.

1. Teach Christian first
Don’t elevate race above relationship with Christ. For many parents, this is the hardest thing to model when guiding our children to pick friends and mates. Avoid making generalizations based on race or culture. Correct your children, in love, when they do so.
2. Teach inclusion
Teach inclusion and grace not color blindness. Every colored person has value. God didn’t make any one race better than another. It’s okay to refer to a person as white or black, but not okay to treat them differently because of how they look on the outside.
3. Talk about race
Talk about what race means to God. God’s kingdom is multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural. Ask your children why they think God made his kingdom this way. Stress that it wasn’t an accident.
4. Be intentional
Be intentional about interacting with others that don’t look like you. Attend events with Christians of another race. Even share holidays together, just like a family would. Make time each month to attend festivals, parades, and events that celebrate other cultures.
5. Teach a balance
Teach your children to have a balanced racial identity. Race is important but secondary to Christian identity. Everyone is a distinct piece of one big puzzle called the family of God. We must work together to make real the picture of reconciliation to the World. We become more, not less, when we come together.

The is the second and last part of a two-part series on How to Have a Healthy Dialogue on Race with Someone of Another Race.

1. Be affirming. Practice some good old-fashioned interactive listening. You’ve got great ears. I just know it.
2. Be free. Have your ‘talking partner’ over for dinner. Volunteer in the community together. Visit one another’s church.
3. Be responsive. Don’t a doormat. Speak up. Engage. Show how much you care.
4. Be angry and sin not. It’s okay to be angry, just don’t let your racially-charged anger lead you into harming yourself or others.
5. Be consistent and committed. Show up. On time. Every time. If you can’t, be courteous enough to call ahead.

Here’s the first 5, by the way.

Any others?