Rid of My Disgrace: Small Group Discussion Guide (eBook)

The statistics are jarring. One in four women and one in six men are or will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. But as sobering as the statistics are, they don’t begin to speak to the darkness and grief experienced by these victims. Because sexual assault causes physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual pain, victims need clear help, hope, and healing. Justin and Lindsey Holcomb’s acclaimed book, Rid of My Disgrace (Crossway Books, 2011), offered a new vision of how the grace of God can heal the broken and restore the disgraced.

When Rid of My Disgrace was published, it exposed many Christians to the horrors of sexual abuse and assault for the first time. It enabled many who have been victimized to finally seek help and hope within the framework of their faith. Rid of My Disgrace was a gift to these men and women and all the people who seek to come alongside them in their journey toward healing.

But Rid of My Disgrace forced us—as a church—to ask ourselves further questions. How can our churches become a safe place to talk about abuse? Can we participate somehow in the healing of the men and women among us who have been abused?

This brand new Rid of My Disgrace Small Group Discussion Guide answers our collective questions, bringing healing and hope into the safety of the faith community.

Download the free leader's material for additional helps in guiding your group through the process of facing, acknowledging, and beginning to heal from sexual trauma.

AUTHOR

Justin Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and professor of theology and apologetics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. Justin is a City Network Leader for Made to Flourish. He serves on the boards of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments), Heart Support, and Leaders Collective. He has authored, coauthored, or edited more than fifteen books on numerous topics, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, biblical studies, and historical theology. He and his wife, Lindsey, coauthored the award-winning children’s book God Made All of Me and God Made Me in His Image. 

Lindsey A. Holcomb, MPH, works at Samaritan Village, a safe home and therapeutic program for adult survivors of sex trafficking. She is a former case manager at a sexual assault crisis center and a domestic violence shelter and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Together, Lindsey and her husband, Justin, conduct a variety of training seminars on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child, sexual, and domestic abuse. She is also the award-winning coauthor of Is It My Fault?, Rid of My Disgrace, God Made All of Me, and God Made Me in His Image. The Holcombs live in Orlando and are parents of two daughters.