Classic Program: Starter Facilitator Handbook for Healing Groups

LESSON 6A: DOMESTIC ABUSE This lesson is hard to do in 90 minutes and often brings out a lot of emotion and discussion. If possible, allow more time. Learning objectives By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to: • Define and describe domestic abuse • Rethink cultural beliefs and practices about family relationships in light of biblical principles • Help people trapped in abusive situations • Help abusers repent and take steps toward recovery

Lesson 6A Section Sub points

LG: Read story (5 min)

1. Story (15 min)

SG: Discussion Questions (have different tables discuss different questions): (5 min) 1. Why do you think Joe abused Ann? 2. Why do you think Ann stayed with Joe even though he was violent and abusive? 3. What helped Ann get out of this abusive situation? 4. How much is domestic abuse an issue in your family or community?

LG: Feedback (5 min)

LG: Present this section (5 min)

2. What is domestic abuse? (18 min)

LG: True and false exercise. (See 2016 edition for a variant on Question 3.) Go over the answers at the end of the lesson. If true and false tests are awkward in your context, find a culturally appropriate way to communicate this information. (13 min) SG: Discussion Questions 1 & 2: “What does your culture teach about domestic abuse?” Then: “Look up these verses and compare them with what your culture teaches about domestic abuse.” ( Give each group one passage to discuss: 1 Pet 3:7; Gen 1:26–27; Eph 5:21–30; 1 Cor 13:4–7; Col 3:19; Eph 4:29–32). (5 min)

3. What does your culture and the Bible say about domestic abuse? (22 min)

The Lessons

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