Where do I belong?

It is common in Japan to introduce yourself not by your name only but by the company or other group that you belong to. Some cultures call people by their family names because knowing the family that you belong to is more important than you as an individual. In some cultures the father’s first name or the mothers name become part of your name and are very important in describing who you are.

Are names important in your culture? Explain why or why not. What is the meaning of your full name, if any?

What groups do you belong to? Which groups are you part of temporarily? Or permanently? Which groups do you act as a servant in? Which groups serve you? Which groups have both aspects - service by you and for you? Which have the strongest connection with your life? Explain.

When you move from one country to another, do you change what groups you are in, or add more, or do you lose a group to belong to?

Do you define yourself more as part of a group or as an individual by yourself? Explain in detail.

Some types of groups:

Companies

Schools

Families

Country, city, state, neighborhood

Clubs, churches, synagogue, teams

Race, ethnic background

Christian, Buddhist, Orthodox, Judaism

Political parties

The Bible talks about where Christians belong:

“ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19

“You also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Eph. 2:22