The Issue:
Abuse/violence/bullying can take many forms. It could be words people say or write (on paper or technology) that cut at people or wear them down. Abuse and bullying can also be physical including being hit or shoved or involving weapons. Sometimes this violence is targeted on purpose, sometimes it is random. How ever abuse/violence/bullying come about students are hurt and can often be devastated by what has happened. They can feel hopeless and worthless or may only be starting to experience feelings that lead them to these desperate places. Abuse/violence/bullying attack a student’s self-image, self-worth, and development.
The Concern:
Our students mean a lot to us and they mean a lot to God. We want them to view themselves as the special competent creation God made them to be. Abuse/violence/bullying attack this self-understanding in a huge way. It diminishes their understanding of how valuable they are and who they were made to be. These tragedies can also lead to many questions about God and how such things could happen under His watch.
The Bible:
Joseph was picked on by his brothers but God was at work preparing Joseph to serve Him greatly. Goliath tormented the Israelites until a small shepherd, David, came and defeated him with Godly confidence. Saul persecuted the church until God appeared to him on the road to Damascus and transformed his life. The Bible tells us stories of redemption and hope. Many of the Psalms are David’s writings when he is been attacked or chased. He vents and pleads for justice on the people oppressing him, but always holds out hope.
Places to start:
Be welcoming and inviting in your group. We all have things that could be made fun of, we don’t need anyone to point them out to us. We want to be relational. This means accepting differences not pointing them out. By leading in being relational with students, you can help them see hope in relationships and find people that really care about them. Help them come up with boundaries that can protect them from future abuse/violence/bullying. Check in with them and encourage them to keep these boundaries. Boundaries take courage, which can be hard for victims to muster.
If students are abused in any way make sure you talk to Brandon or Matt! A report may need to be filed with the police to help protect our students. This can be a challenging process, but it is for their good. Don’t try to protect them yourself.
Places to stay away:
Students who are able to talk about bullying/violence/abuse have often experienced pain over time. They have tried to manage it and cope with it themselves and now they are reaching out for help. Don’t minimize their pain or tell them things will get better with time. They have seen that time usually doesn’t change things and that’s why they are coming to you. Don’t blame them for being the victim. They could have made different choices to avoid a problem, but maybe not. After they have been hurt its too late to talk like this.
Where to learn more:
More verses to look at:
Cyber bullying:
More Info:
(this is not an endorsement of this site, but there is helpful information to understand what your student may be going through)
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