Opening (5 mins):
- Icebreaker question: What experiences have you had working on mixed teams? What cultures were on the team?
- Question: What was hard, and what was good, about the cultural differences on those teams?
Youth With A Mission Value #10: We function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership.
“Two are better than one…If one falls down, the other can help…” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Building Teams That Stick Together (20 mins):
- Talk about why we need united “tribes” that work together across cultures to do our mission around the world
- We get more done when we put different backgrounds, views and strengths together
- We show the world what biblical unity in diversity looks like
- Question: How can we build welcoming, close multicultural teams on purpose?
- Ideas: cultural awareness training, icebreakers, team charters, agreeing on team values and ground rules, etc.
- Be patient, be open about your weaknesses, and stay a learner
- Look at key team qualities like trust, belonging and welcoming different views
- Let team members share how these qualities are seen in their cultures
- Talk about how the team can build these qualities together
Youth With A Mission Value #13: We are dedicated to being relationship-oriented.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Delegating Across Cultures (20 mins):
- Why we hand out roles and responsibilities fairly, with cultural awareness
- Different cultures may see authority, rank, accountability and so on very differently
- Know the privileges or blind spots your own culture might give you
- Question: What different cultural views on leadership roles do we need to think about?
- Let team members share how their cultures see it
- How to delegate fairly, based only on a person’s gifts, strengths, experience and calling, not their cultural background
- Talk about delegation as a group so any bias comes out
- Have a clear way to look back at delegation decisions
Youth With A Mission Value #11: We exhibit servant leadership, honoring gifts in all.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4
Break (5 mins)
Talking Openly (20 mins):
- What makes talking across cultures hard, and how to get past it
- People talk differently (direct or indirect, a lot of words or few, comfortable with silence or not, etc.)
- Cultures have different rules about disagreeing, giving feedback, saving face, etc.
- Let people share examples of how communication works in their cultures
- Question: How can we make it safe for every voice and view to be heard on our teams?
- Set team rules like “one person speaks at a time,” “suspend judgment,” etc.
- Talk about good habits for cross-cultural communication, like:
- Really listening: repeat back what you heard to make sure you got it
- Checking in often to make sure people understood
- Talking through problems and disagreements with curiosity, not judgment
- Learning phrases in each other’s languages to understand each other better
Youth With A Mission Value #18: We communicate with integrity – truthfully and relevantly.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become…the whole Body.” Ephesians 4:15
Closing (10 mins):
- Question: Why does our mission need close, welcoming multicultural teams?
- We work together better, get better ideas, and reach all peoples more strongly
- We show the world cultures being reconciled
- Question: What’s one practical step you can take to be a good cross-cultural teammate?
- Go over the main points: build united teams, delegate fairly, talk openly
Youth With A Mission Value #4: We practice intercessory prayer to overcome divisions.
“I pray…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20-21
