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. • You might want to think through both a “returning citizen sensitive ” and a “returning citizen specific ” approach. A “sensitive” approach might mean taking one of your existing small groups (like a men’s Bible study) and adapting the questions so that male returning citizens feel like it’s for them as well as the other men. A “specific” approach would be to develop a small group comprised mostly of those in reentry, where their questions and concerns would be front and center. Advantages to the Life-Changing Small Group model It builds on a core strength of many congregations. This isn’t rocket science and it isn’t expensive. It builds mutuality. Returning citizens are simply full participants in the group, not clients and not someone’s project. It builds understanding. With open conversations and personal life applica- tion, these groups can help forge a fusing of horizons. That is, congregation- al members can integrate returning citizens’ perspectives into their own and vice-versa.
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