Clique lesson thoughts
Wikipedia definition: A clique is an exclusive group of people who share interests, views, purposes, patterns of behavior, or ethnicity. Membership in a clique is often, but not necessarily, exclusive, and qualifications for membership may be social or essential to the nature of the clique.
Our response based on the book of James, chapter 2 is to not be actively in cliques. But we should show love to all.
What does this mean for us as students? How do we balance this with having a regular group of friends?
It is okay to have a group of friends. It is not okay to exclude others from talking to you, eating lunch with you, hanging with you, etc. (unless they are creeps or serial killers). When situations arise, we need to show love to all, loving our neighbor as yourself. This may mean sitting with people we don’t usually associate with on occasion for lunch or after school. This may mean saying hi to that unpopular kid.
What else does it mean? Well, here’s the tough part. It means that we need to honestly call the grade level cliques just that. “But, Pastor B, they are not cliques. It’s just an unwritten rule of honor…”
Hmm, let’s reflect back to the above definition:
“A clique is an exclusive group of people who share interests, views, purposes, patterns of behavior, or ethnicity.” Grade levels share just that – those in that grade level and no other grade level.
“Membership in a clique is often… exclusive, and qualifications for membership may be social or essential to the nature of the clique.” Grade levels are exclusive in that they feature those only in that grade.
“But, Pastor B, it’s just the way things are.”
You are correct. It is the way things are. It’s the way things were back when I was in school (When my brother was a junior, I watched him and his friend get booted out of the senior section by half the seniors at a pep rally).
Yet, it does not have to be that way for you and your friends. Here’s what I mean:
When I was a freshman, I befriended several seniors, we hung out, etc. I even helped some start the Bible Club in our school.
I don’t remember my sophomore year much.
My Junior year, I hung out with those who were seniors and the freshman and sophomores, especially those in the Bible club. (I actually didn’t hang out with many from my own grade and really felt a part of the senior class that year – and was accepted by them as well).
My senior year, again I didn’t really associate with my class, but with those who were juniors and sophomore.
There are a few others I know who share these “grade-level” cliques.
Is it tough? Maybe.
Are we called to do tough things? Yes, at times.
Some food for thought here.
Comments? Questions?
