Empathy and Lament Study (Week 4)

Oct 30

Restorative Justice: Lamenting with Community

“God is not simply in the business of dry cleaning our souls; he is in the business of tearing down walls and creating a new family, a new way of belonging together. One could argue that the primary fruit of the gospel is not going to heaven when you die but rather the miraculous new family that is created out of the death & resurrection of Jesus. Racial justice and reconciliation remain two of the most urgent matters of faith & public witness. In this respect, the Cross of Christ isn't just a bridge that gets us to God; it's a sledgehammer that breaks down walls that separate us.”

—from The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas

The purpose of this week's study is to:

Grow in our understanding of the practice of restorative justice.
Deepen our understanding of the essential nature of restorative justice and lamenting with our community.
Continue listening empathetically to the story of members of the St. Mark's community, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us through others' experiences

Video

This video is divided into 2 parts. This week, Part 1 covers the majority of the discussion, while Part 2 is a conclusion. Your group may choose to watch it all at once, or pause to discuss at the break.

Part 1 Discussion

Understanding the Practice of Restorative Justice

In what ways have you experienced or witnessed injustice? What happened? How did it cause you to feel?
What is your reaction to Pastor Rich Villodas' statement: "Racial justice & reconciliation remain two of the most urgent matters of faith & public witness"?
In what ways do you recognize St. Mark's Community Church's "responsibility" and "opportunity" to address racism in our society? How might our community lament and demonstrate empathy for the oppressed and those who oppress?
What aspects of restorative justice make you feel uncomfortable? What are the tensions that you feel?
While explaining her calling and work with the Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, Charmaine spoke of bringing people together into healing circles—not to talk about race—but to talk about our shared humanity and to share stories about things we have in common as humans. In what ways do you imagine you would benefit from that kind of experience?
What is your response to Eugene Peterson's statement below?
"A faith that doesn't serve justice can end up making us worse instead of better. It can actually separate us from God and God's ways instead of drawing us to him."

Part 2 Concluding Discussion

Next Steps

How might God call you to lament, demonstrate empathy, and practice restorative justice in your life? How will you continue listening for God's guidance if you lack clarity?

Reflection Exercises

Read Psalm 113, Isaiah 61, and Luke 4:16-30, one after the other. Pay attention to the unique contents of each passage.
• What do these three biblical passages tell you about the character of God?
• What do they tell you about the world? Do they provoke you to empathize and lament?
• What do they say to you about restorative justice?