Restorative Justice—Healing Harm and Restoring Relationships

LESSON PURPOSE

When harm occurs, many people believe there are only two options:

• Ignore it.
• Punish the offender.

Kingian Nonviolence offers another path—restorative justice.

Participants will learn how accountability, truth-telling, restitution, forgiveness, and reconciliation can work together to promote healing.

• Important Note: Restorative justice is not appropriate for every situation, and
• reconciliation is not always possible or safe. Serious crimes, abuse, and situations
• involving ongoing danger require legal authorities, protective measures, and trauma-
• informed support. This lesson focuses on everyday interpersonal conflicts and
• emphasizes that safety comes first.

LESSON TEACHING

PART ONE

Examples:

• Fairness
• Police
• Courts
• Jail
• Consequences
• Laws

Justice means making things right as much as possible.

King believed justice and love should work together.

PART TWO

Punishment and Restoration

Punishment

Focuses on:

• Rules broken
• Penalties
• Blame
• Control

Restorative Justice

Focuses on:

• People harmed
• Responsibility
• Healing
• Repair
• Accountability

PART THREE

Three People Are Always Affected

The Person Harmed

Needs:

• Safety
• Voice
• Healing
• Support

The Person Who Caused Harm

Needs:

• Accountability
• Opportunity to change
• Guidance
• Responsibility

The Community

Needs:

• Trust restored
• Safety
• Healing
• Hope

Teaching Point:

When one person suffers...

The whole community is affected.

PART FOUR

The Four Questions of Restorative Justice

1.

Tell the truth.

2.

Think beyond yourself.

3.

Repair the harm.

4.

Learn and grow.

PART FIVE

Accountability Is Love in Action

Many people think accountability is punishment.

Actually...

Holding someone accountable says:

"I believe you are capable of doing better."

Examples:

• Repeated mistakes
• Broken trust
• Damaged relationships

TRUST BANK ACCOUNT

Trust grows through deposits and shrinks through withdrawals.

Deposits:

• Honesty
• Respect
• Reliability
• Apologies
• Keeping promises

Withdrawals:

• Lies
• Gossip
• Violence
• Broken promises
• Disrespect

Yes.

But deposits take time.

PART SIX

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Forgiveness means:

Releasing bitterness and the desire for revenge.

Forgiveness does not mean:

• Forgetting
• Excusing abuse
• Eliminating consequences
• Returning to unsafe situations

Reconciliation means restoring a relationship when it is safe, appropriate, and both parties are willing to do the work.

Sometimes forgiveness is possible even when reconciliation is not.

RESTORATIVE CONVERSATION MODEL

Restorative conversations can use these sentence starters:

"I felt..."

"I understand..."

"I take responsibility for..."

"I would like to make this right by..."

FAITH CONNECTION

Scripture Study

• Matthew 18:15–17
• Luke 19:1–10 (Zacchaeus)
• Ephesians 4:31–32
• Colossians 3:12–15
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20

Teaching

Zacchaeus did more than apologize.

He made restitution.

True repentance often includes changed behavior and efforts to repair harm.

Christians are called "ambassadors of reconciliation," helping others move toward truth, justice, and restored relationships.

PEACEMAKER'S COMMITMENT – LESSON 9

I believe every person has dignity.

I will tell the truth, even when it is difficult.

I will take responsibility for my choices.

I will seek to repair harm whenever possible.

I will forgive instead of seeking revenge.

I will protect others while pursuing justice.