This is the challenge addressed in Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need, a six-lesson DVD and study guide for small groups developed by The Heritage Foundation, the leading Washington think tank.

Seek Social Justice—viewable online at www.seeksocialjustice.com— is targeted at the generation of emerging adults. Many of them want to get to the roots of the social breakdown and need they see in their neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. They want to know how they, their churches or small groups can connect with lives and ease suffering.

In a time of government bailouts, “stimulus” spending and ever-expanding welfare programs, Seek Social Justice reveals that poverty can’t be solved by throwing billions more dollars at the problem.

“Poverty is much more than financial need; at its core, it’s about brokenness in the foundational relationships of life,” says Ryan Messmore, Heritage’s William E. Simon fellow in religion and civil society, who traveled to churches across America to witness ministries that put Christian faith into action.  

“Seek Social Justice challenges assumptions about where to turn to truly transform lives in need,” adds Messmore, lead writer of the study guide. “It investigates how to prevent and overcome the kind of problems we see right here in America. It explores the underlying causes of, and the most effective solutions to, the ills that tarnish human dignity and hinder flourishing.”

The 64-page study guide is designed to complement the six lessons on video. Each lesson digs into the roles and responsibilities of family, church, business, government and individuals in promoting social justice by profiling real-world examples of effective action.

Chuck Colson, Albert Mohler Jr., Marvin Olasky, Star Parker and Robert L. Woodson Sr. are among church and community leaders who appear in the DVD and provide insights to the lessons.

Heritage’s partners in the project are Compass Cinema and WORLD Magazine, where Olasky is editor-in-chief.

“Social justice is all about relationships, and this is the real tragedy—a person in need is often cut off from all of his support structures found in relationship,” observes Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint. “Seek Social Justice brings into focus a relational framework for responding effectively to those in need.”

Based on requests so far, settings for use of the DVD-based curriculum include church gatherings, informal home groups, dorm studies, campus fellowships, academic courses and home-schooling families.

“Complex problems call for thoughtful solutions,” says Gary Haugen, president and CEO of International Justice Mission. “I am grateful to The Heritage Foundation for including the needs of the poor in this innovative new study resource—and for inviting and encouraging us to translate our good intentions into actions that really make a difference.”

Ministries and organizations featured in the DVD include:

 J.V. Morsch Center for Social Justice, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tenn.

H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, Dallas, Texas.

First Baptist Church, Leesburg, Fla.

Men of Valor, Nashville, Tenn.

Orange County (Calif.) Human Trafficking Task Force.

“Seeking social justice starts with each of us, but it’s an undertaking that requires more than one person, or even one large organization. It takes families, churches, non-profit groups, businesses and government—all playing their distinct roles—to make progress on complex problems,” says Jennifer A. Marshall, director of Heritage’s Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society, who oversaw and contributed to the one-of-a-kind project.

“In addition to discussing the sources of social breakdown,” Marshall says, “we explore the roles of these different institutions. We look at how each operates on its own, as well as in relation to the others, to achieve common good and transform lives in need.”

Besides visiting seeksocialjustice.com to see and download the videos and study guide, interested individuals and groups may order the DVD and guide there for the cost of shipping and handling. The Web site also offers bonus interviews, ministry links, bios of featured experts and other helpful material.

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