Restorative Justice: Blending Truth, Mercy, Righteousness and Peace

חֶֽסֶד־וֶֽאֱמֶ֥ת נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ צֶ֖דֶק וְשָׁל֣וֹם נָשָֽׁקוּ

WHC Cultivate Class 2022: 6 weeks, starting Feb 7 thru March 28 on Monday eves 7:00 to 8:00 pm (with informal discussion time after each session). No Valentines Day, but see below for individual readings and videos that week.

Teacher: Ted Lewis in Duluth (About page)

Description: Restorative justice has grown extensively and internationally over the past four decades, providing alternative peacemaking processes to address crimes, harms and conflicts. This class will combine a basic introduction to restorative justice with a biblical study of restorative themes, including victimization and deep healing, offending and dignifying reparation, the power of storytelling, listening, being heard, and forgiveness, and more. Ultimately, God will be understood as a bridge-building facilitator who fosters restoration in every realm of relational harm and separation. 

Class Outline:

Feb 7 – Session One: The Biblical Matrix of RJ Virtues and Values

          Master Texts: Psalm 85:10 and James 3:18

Feb 14: (no class; see below)

Feb 21 – Session Two: The Power of Sharing and Hearing Stories

          Master Text: Genesis 44:18-34 (Judah and Joseph)

Feb 28 – Session Three: Understanding Offending and Victimization

          Master Texts:  John 8:7-11 and 2 Corinthians 7:10-12

Mar 7 – Session Four: The Empowering Role of 3rd-Party Facilitators

          Master Text: Philemon (consider Paul’s role)

Mar 14 – Session Five: Models of Dialogue for Harm and Conflict

          Master Texts: Matthew 18:15-20 and Acts 15

Mar 21 – Session Six: Redemptive Transformation: Shift Happens!

          Master Text: Genesis 32:22 – 33:11 (Jacob and Esau)

Mar 28 – Extra Session: Options for Restorative Justice Involvement

          (Open discussion about how to learn more, how to get more training, where to do volunteer work, and how churches can grow restorative ministries)

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During the Valentine’s Week ‘Bye’, please read and view the following: