gatherings where people can get lost in the crowd, the small group pro- vides a place where returning citizens can be met, welcomed, known, and appreciated on a personal level. This pro-social bonding and personal acceptance not only give returning citizens a new network of people to do life with but also directly counter the unhealthy shame that many re- turning citizens carry. So, what kinds of small groups are we talking about here? Every person is different, so there’s clearly no one-size-fits-all answer. However, to leverage change and drive engagement, a good place to begin would be to lean to- wards life-application Bible studies where there’s no single “right” answer to questions. Many prison Bible studies (including Bible correspondence class- es) have an approach where the leader didactically transmits knowledge to the student, and the student responds with fill-in-the-blank answers. This ap- proach has its place, but it’s a limited one. If you can track down a copy online, we strongly recommend getting a copy of the Serendipity Bible as a model of the kind of Bible study format that can generates deep involvement. Both content and format matter. A format that allows each participant am- ple opportunity to reflect, share, and listen to others can be a profound new experience for returning citizens. It promotes equality, belonging, and en- gagement. Content that’s sensitive to returning citizens’ needs and concerns can be harder to define, but it’s actually not that difficult to find significant overlap with the needs and concerns of other congregation members. Topics like shame, broken relationships, grace and forgiveness, shattered dreams, the meaning of work, temptation, discerning and following God’s will, and so on—these can apply to anyone. The Life-Changing Small Group model is a great fit for a congregation that... • already has small groups going. It’s easier to tweak what you already know and are good at than to try something new with people you don’t know. • can adapt life-application Bible studies to account for returning citi- zens’ life situations. Tips for getting started • If you don’t already have one, creating your own “small group cove- nant” can be a great place to begin. Once you’ve developed a covenant, it can be read by someone at the beginning of every small group meet- ing. This helps frame the expectations, ground rules, and purposes of the meeting. Newcomers will really appreciate it.
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