The Prison Fellowship® small-group curriculum Outrageous Justice aims to awaken Christians to the need for justice that restores.
God has called His people to seek justice. But our criminal justice system is so complex. How can followers of Jesus have clear understanding of current issues? How can they act and promote restoration?
Heather Rice-Minus, vice president of government relations and church mobilization at Prison Fellowship, recently sat down with us to share how Outrageous Justice, a new small-group curriculum by Prison Fellowship, aims to inspire Christians to pursue justice and restoration in their own communities.
PRISON FELLOWSHIP: So, what is Outrageous Justice?
Heather Rice-Minus: Outrageous Justice is Prison Fellowship's small group curriculum designed to educate and equip Christians on criminal justice reform. The curriculum provides hands-on ways to pursue justice and bring about true hope, restoration, and healing.
Outrageous Justice weaves current events, biblical context, and personal stories into a compelling conversation. It discusses how to minister to those impacted by crime and incarceration. And it looks at how to influence positive changes in our criminal justice system.
Outrageous Justice includes a study guide, video teaching segments, and first-person stories of people impacted by crime and incarceration. There is also a companion book that gives in-depth insights. It's written by some of the leaders of Prison Fellowship.
Why do we need Outrageous Justice?
Most Christians know that God calls His people to visit the prisoner and seek justice. But many of us don't have a clear understanding of the issues. Prison Fellowship believes the Church has a unique capacity to minister people in prison, care for families impacted by incarceration, and be a welcoming place for people coming home from jails and prisons.
We also want to help the Church awaken to the complexities and injustices in our criminal justice system. And we want to equip them to respond.
We believe that when policies align with scriptural values, they bear fruit in the form of transformed lives and communities. But we also know that politics is downstream from culture. If we want to change public policy, we have to start with culture. That's what we're doing with Outrageous Justice.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
Hebrews 13:3
"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8
We've found that 94% of participants surveyed after using the curriculum reported increased awareness about criminal justice issues. The majority also reported taking action to advance justice reform or minister to people impacted by crime and incarceration.
What topics does the curriculum address?
The curriculum talks about everything—from why we should be outraged by the injustices of our system to what the Bible says about the topic of justice. We look at some of the broader issues facing the system. And we also zoom in on some of the details to help participants really understand the issues.
It's all based on our values of proportional punishment, corrective prison culture, and second chances. The study explores these themes and topics from the perspective of law enforcement, former prisoners, and victims.
What is your vision for how Outrageous Justice will be used and what it will accomplish?
We designed Outrageous Justice to be used as a small group study in local churches. We want groups to find ways to care for people in their congregation or community affected by incarceration. And we want them to get involved in justice reform. We're trying to raise up 100,000 Christians who will be educated, equipped, and ready to respond to the crisis of crime and incarceration through ministry and engaging their elected officials in reforming the criminal justice system.
Outrageous Justice is helping us do that. Every session includes suggested action steps for how to put what you've learned and discussed into action.
THE GOAL
To raise up 100,000 Christians educated, equipped, and ready to respond to the crisis of crime and incarceration through ministry and justice reform.
How can readers get a copy?
Prison Fellowship provides free Outrageous Justice curriculum (including free shipping!) when you sign up on our website at prisonfellowship.org/outrageous-justice/. I encourage everyone to get it for themselves and then utilize it in a small group.
If you don't have a group to join, we are starting to launch online study groups. Join this Outrageous Justice Facebook page to keep an eye out for new online groups being started.
ABOUT HEATHER RICE-MINUS
Heather Rice-Minus serves as vice president of government relations and church mobilization at Prison Fellowship. She directs national advocacy initiatives and campaigns on pivotal criminal justice issues at the federal level. She also spearheads Prison Fellowship's efforts to awaken and equip churches and build coalitions with advocacy groups, think tanks, faith-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.
GET YOUR FREE COPY OF OUTRAGEOUS JUSTICE TODAY!
Sign up for this engaging, six-session study guide for small groups. Each study guide comes with discussion questions, action steps, and more. In addition, we also have a video series with teaching segments and first-person stories of people impacted by crime and incarceration.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS ARTICLE?
Make sure you don' t miss out on any of our helpful articles and incredible transformation stories! Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, and you' ll get great content delivered directly to your inbox.
Your privacy is safe with us. We will never sell, trade, or share your personal information.