Preventing Gun Violence: From Rhetoric to Real Solutions

Preventing Gun Violence Series

Find a group & register

Who is this program for?

Americans are divided on many of today's most pressing issues. Grounded in Christian faith, this program aspires to move beyond the divisive rhetoric of gun ownership versus gun control, instead inviting participants to discern solutions to the gun violence epidemic. This program is for Christians across denominations who are committed to ending gun violence – gun owners and non-gun owners alike.

Program Overview

Preventing Gun Violence: From Rhetoric to Real Solutions inspires and equips small groups to reduce and prevent gun violence in their churches, families, and local areas

Over the course of eight two-hour sessions and an immersion experience, Preventing Gun Violence transforms 8-14 individuals (8-12 for virtual groups) into a community of trust. Participants accompany one another in confronting the painful reality of gun violence as they engage in holy dialogue across their differences and discern how their faith calls them to respond. Together, participants explore data-driven research around gun violence in America; encounter stories, poetry, and art from gun violence survivors, faith leaders, and activists; learn spiritual practices to help process this emotionally-difficult topic; and receive practical tools for gun violence prevention. During the final session, the group is guided in creating an achievable step-by-step plan for taking action after the program is finished.

This program consists of eight two hour sessions, plus an immersion experience (more information below). All regular sessions include prayer, dialogue, active listening, weekly spiritual practices, and relationship-building. JustFaith Ministries provides all the materials and guidance you need to bring this small group program to your church or community.

Program Goals

Goals for Preventing Gun Violence: From Rhetoric to Real Solutions include:

Learn how our Christian faith calls us to respond to the reality of gun violence in our local communities.

Learn strategies for preventing gun violence in all the institutions, churches, and all networks of which we are a part.

Learn practical tools for advocacy, in order to create policies that reduce gun violence in our communities and nation.

Transform a collection of 8-14 individuals into a community of love and support. The members of your community will continue to encourage one another as you seek spiritual transformation and take action for justice after the program has finished.

Sessions

Preventing Gun Violence consists of eight 2-hour sessions and an immersion experience.

Recommended group size is 8-14.

Program Framework & Session Topics

  • Optional Get-to-Know-You Session

  • Beloved Community

  • Types of Gun Violence in America

  • Race, Gender, and Gun Violence

  • Trauma and Suicide Prevention

  • Fear of the Other (guest speaker)

  • Creating a Crisis Prevention Plan/De-Escalation

  • Immersion Experience

  • Preventing Gun Violence through Public Policy

  • Action

Sessions include:

Prayer and reflection
Discussion of reading
Videos & group activities
Spiritual practices
Integration of faith

Want to know more?

An overview, sample session, and program booklet are available for free download.

Preventing Gun Violence letter cover
Program Promotion

Need help inviting people to your small group?

We provide promotion materials to help you spread the word about your group and invite participants to join your group. Click below to download the promotion kit.

Cost

We believe strongly in making our programs inclusive and available to everyone

Cost should never be a barrier to participation, and we are committed to working with individuals and organizations to ensure meaningful access through flexible pricing options. Why do we use a sliding fee scale?

There are Two Registration Options:

Option 1: Individual Participant Registration

Participants register and pay individually using a sliding-scale fee of $45, $60, or $75 per person, based on ability to pay. If $45 is still inaccessible, participants can choose the Pay-What-You-Can option to choose a price that is right for them.

  • There is no charge for up to two facilitators.
  • A minimum of 8 participants is strongly recommended.

Option 2: Organization-Sponsored Registration

A church or organization may choose to cover registration for all participants using a sliding fee scale of $45, $60, or $75 per person, based on ability to pay.

  • The organization will be billed a flat rate of the amount chosen below, which covers up to 8 participants.
  • For groups larger than 8, the organization will be invoiced an additional $45, $60, or $75 per participant when the group begins, price depending on the chosen amount below.
  • If the lowest fee is inaccessible to your organization or ministry, choose the Pay-What-You-Can Rate to learn about shared-cost or reduced-fee options.

What the Registration Fee Includes

  • Comprehensive materials for each session (instant download upon purchase)
  • Facilitation scripts, guidance, and training resources
  • Retreat and immersion planning assistance
  • Adaptations for virtual groups
  • Direct access to program staff for ongoing support
  • Books are an additional cost and may be purchased separately through the bookstore.

To ensure our programs remain accessible while remaining sustainable, we utilize a sliding fee scale of $45 to $75 for our registrations. We invite you to choose the registration tier that best reflects you or your faith community's current financial reality. Paying on the higher end allows us to keep the program affordable for all.

We also offer a Pay-What-You-Can Rate. If the lowest rate does not seem accessible to you or your church at this time, don’t let this be a barrier to participation. Contact our staff here to learn about shared-cost or reduced fee options.

 

Register

Ready to get started?

Find a small group

Ready to get started? Browse available small groups for this program.

Icon 2

Start a small group

To start a new small group, please fill out the group request form.

What our program participants are saying