Module 6
Family, Relationships, and Community Support
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24–25
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Build a support network by role
- Reconnect to church and community supports wisely
- Navigate family relationships with patience, boundaries, and living amends
- Identify relationships that support or endanger recovery
Lesson Notes
Building a Support Network
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). One person cannot meet every need. A healthy support network includes people in different roles:
- Spiritual: a church, a pastor or chaplain, a Christ-centered recovery group.
- Recovery: a sponsor and one or two accountability partners.
- Medical and clinical: a doctor or clinic, a pharmacy, a licensed counselor or treatment provider as needed.
- Practical: a case manager, a supervising officer if any, housing, employment, and transportation resources.
- Crisis: 911, 988, and the people she will call first.
Reconnecting to Church and Community
When Saul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, they were all afraid of him... But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles (Acts 9:26–27). Some people returning home will meet suspicion; a Barnabas can open the door. The early church continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
Practical steps: visit a church and ask about its recovery ministry or re-entry ministry; attend a recovery group in the first week; ask a case manager about local community services; and follow supervision rules about travel, curfews, and contacts. Local options: ____________________.
Family: Patience and Living Amends
God setteth the solitary in families (Psalm 68:6). Coming home can bring joy and tension. Family members may be hurt, cautious, or exhausted. Children may test whether a parent will stay. Trust is rebuilt slowly through consistent behavior. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another... even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye (Colossians 3:13).
From RML 251, remember: forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust are different. Living amends (keeping small promises, showing up, apologizing simply when we fall short) often matter more than speeches. Follow any court orders about contact or custody, and ask a case manager or attorney about questions. Leaders do not give legal advice.
Relationships That Help or Harm
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20). Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Some old relationships may need distance, especially those centered on use or harm.
Recovery groups often caution against starting a new romantic relationship early in recovery, because new relationships can pull focus from healing. If any relationship involves threats, control, or harm, that is a safety issue: tell a safe person and get help. God never asks anyone to stay in danger.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Support network | People in different roles who help a person stay well: spiritual, recovery, medical, practical, and crisis |
| Living amends | A changed life over time that shows repentance, especially toward family |
| Barnabas | Someone who vouches for and welcomes a returning person (Acts 9:26–27) |
| Community supports | Local services such as housing, employment, transportation, and health resources |
In-Class Activities
My Support Circle
Draw five circles labeled Spiritual, Recovery, Medical/Clinical, Practical, and Crisis. In each, write roles (not names) and what each provides. Mark any role you do not yet have with a star and write one way to find it.
Helping or Harming?
Read eight composite relationship situations. Mark each H (helps recovery), C (caution, needs boundaries), or D (danger, get help). Write one reason and one next step for each.
Assignment: Support Network and Family Plan
Write a one-to-two-page plan for yourself in general terms or for a composite woman:
- A support network by role in all five areas, with blanks for local contacts.
- Two churches or recovery groups to try in the first week (or blanks to fill in).
- A family section: two living amends she could practice, one boundary she may need, and one question for a case manager or attorney about any contact or custody orders.
- A relationships section: one kind of relationship to avoid early in recovery and why.
- Hebrews 10:24–25 written out.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Hebrews 10:25 says Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. Who has been a Barnabas to you, someone who opened a door when others hesitated? Whom might you welcome someday?
Prayer focus: Ask God to set you among a faithful family of believers, to heal your relationships in His timing, and to give you patience as trust is rebuilt.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
A Barnabas at the Door
When Saul came to Jerusalem after meeting Jesus, the disciples were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles (Acts 9:26–27). Some people coming home will meet suspicion, even in church. God often sends a Barnabas, someone who opens the door.
A healthy support network includes people in different roles: spiritual (church, pastor, recovery group), recovery (a sponsor and accountability partners), medical and clinical (a doctor, pharmacy, counselor or treatment provider), practical (case manager, housing, work, transportation), and crisis (911, 988, and the people you will call first). In the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).
Family can bring great joy and real tension. Loved ones may be hurt or cautious. Children may test whether you will stay. Trust is rebuilt slowly through consistent behavior. Living amends, keeping small promises and showing up again and again, often speak louder than speeches. Follow any court orders about contact or custody, and ask your case manager or attorney about questions.
Some relationships help recovery and some endanger it. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise (Proverbs 13:20). If any relationship involves threats, control, or harm, that is a safety issue. Tell a safe person and get help. God never asks anyone to stay in danger.
Think About It
- Who has been a Barnabas to you? ______________________
- Which area of your support network needs the most building? ______________________
- What living amends could you practice with your family? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 6
Not Forsaking
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.— Hebrews 10:24–25 (KJV)
God's people need one another, and gathering matters.
Reflect: Where will you gather with believers this week?
Pray: Lord, plant me among Your people.
Do: Plan which church or group you will attend first after release.
Barnabas Took Him
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.— Acts 9:27 (KJV)
One welcoming person can change everything.
Reflect: How could you be a Barnabas to someone?
Pray: Lord, send me a Barnabas and make me one.
Do: Welcome someone who seems left out today.
In Families
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which were bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.— Psalm 68:6 (KJV)
God brings lonely people into families, including His church family.
Reflect: What kind of family is God building around you?
Pray: Lord, set me in a family of faith.
Do: Thank God for one person who has been like family to you.
Forbearing One Another
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.— Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Patience and forgiveness make space for trust to grow.
Reflect: Where do you need patience with family?
Pray: Lord, give me patience as trust is rebuilt.
Do: Choose patience in one hard conversation.
Walk With the Wise
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.— Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)
The people we walk with shape who we become.
Reflect: Which relationships help you grow?
Pray: Lord, lead me to wise companions.
Do: Spend time with one person who strengthens your faith.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Proverbs 11:14 teaches that safety is found in:
- 2.
In Acts 9:26–27, who welcomed Saul when others were afraid of him?
- 3.
Which is the best example of a living amends to a child?
- 4.
A woman should ignore a court order about contact if family members say it is fine.
- 5.
Name the five areas of a support network.