Images of His Beauty

Images Of His Beauty is a support group for women 18 and above, who have (or are currently) undergoing treatment for an eating disorder and are now looking for support in their recovery process.

Young women today are faced with a barrage of worldly standards and ideas that set them up for failure and discouragement. The image of a woman is distorted by false ideas. For example, women compare themselves to other women and believe they fall short, especially when it comes to body image. As a result, a young woman may embark on a journey into a fantasy world of “perfect bodies” and end up making unhealthy choices that can lead to self destruction. An eating disorder is often the result.

Unfortunately women usually suffer alone, believing the lies of worldly standards. IOHB wants to help break the silence and isolation. This group is led by adult lay Christian women, who offer support and encouragement with devotionals, group discussions, and prayer support. The group provides a safe and confidential environment where women are heard, cared for; and the love of Christ is manifested.  

As a church body, please pray for these young women who join us each week. We have much to gain from each other. Pray that it will be a time of laughter, support, and that ultimately each young woman comes away with a renewed joy for life—by grasping the truth of the Image of His Beauty. 

The group will run for six weeks starting in September.

If interested, contact Nonie Maupin at 480.824.7239 for more information.

DivorceCare

Find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.

Divorce Care is a 13-week series for people who are dealing with divorce or separation. We have an ongoing need for facilitators. If you are interested, call Rachel at  480.824.7239.

Divorce care testimonials
“Taking the DivorceCare class at Scottsdale Bible Church over the past three months has been very beneficial for me to begin the long road back to recovery after divorce. I was divorced after almost 30 years of marriage. Our kids are grown, but it still hurts all of the family members. Each video shown in DivorceCare hit home to me on many different levels. Listening to people who have already gone through divorce was very helpful since their issues are now my issues. If one is going through difficult times, it is best to hear from people who have gone down the same road before. It doesn’t make it any easier, but it does smooth the rough edges. Even Christians are not immune to today’s problems. Someone once said that death of a family member, job loss and divorce are three of the biggest stressors in modern-day society. I have been through all three and was good to know DivorceCare was there for me. I plan to retake the course again since I can always gain new knowledge a second time around. One day later on, I might become a facilitator to help others trudge through these difficult waters. “

“I came into DivorceCare with a big red ‘D’ on my forehead. I put that label on myself and continued to carry guilt and shame from another failed marriage; I carried so much hurt from rejection, betrayal and deception. I had no desire to be around others because they might see my big red ‘D’. Thankfully, the Lord used Divorce Care to help me deal with my feelings. Although feelings are real and valid, I do not have to remain in that hurt and rejection. It was my choice to trust God so the healing process could begin and I could move on in God’s will. I chose to forgive, seek forgiveness for my part in the failed marriage and seek the Lord’s direction for my new life as a single adult. And divorce, like any other sin, can be forgiven and covered by the blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Isaiah 43:19).

To find out more go to: www.Divorcecare.com

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding
What is Lean Not?
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding is a place where women meet to share questions, hopes, struggles and yes, even failures. These women come from all walks of life, with varied backgrounds, who bring their knowledge and experiences to a place of shared confidence.

Lean Not helps women discover that the victory can be theirs as they choose to embrace the principles that are shared from the studies which are offered. These studies challenge women to make wise choices that will move them through and beyond the circumstances of life, both past and present. 

“What bonds all women together is their mutual experiences of loving and learning. It has encouraged me to be the woman I know I should and can be and has helped me understand more clearly what it is God expects of me and how I can please Him.”

Proverbs 3 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding”—YET most of us handle our relationships by using our own experience. We feel more confident if another person agrees with us; we feel more secure if a loved one praises us; we feel worthy when we do well in our jobs.

“As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Since we were all raised in human families, we have learned to lean on our family’s ways and views. What you live with you learn, what you learn you practice, what you practice you become and what you become has consequences.

Becoming aware of our thinking and feelings opens the door for us to see where we have trusted ourselves and others rather than God. If your relationships are confusing, one-sided or painful, consider visiting this group. For many this is the healing community where acceptance, confidentiality, grace and hope lead to change and growth.

We meet on the south campus Tuesdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in E213 or Wednesdays from 9–11 a.m. in E214. No registration is necessary. You can start this group at anytime, they are always running, feel free to just show up. A calendar of studies is available. This group has been part of the counseling ministry at Scottsdale Bible for over 20 years.

GriefShare: Life After Loss
Griefshare is a weekly support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them.

This 13-week class runs two times each year. The next class will run Tuesday nights, February 5 through April 29 in D205. The GriefShare experience includes three key elements that work together to guide your healing process: Video, small group discussion and the workbook. For additional information, call 480.824.7239.
Discussion topics include:

• Living With Grief
• The Journey of Grief
• The Effects of Grief
• When Your Spouse Dies
• Your Family and Grief
• Why?
• The Uniqueness of Grief, pt. 1
• The Uniqueness of Grief, pt. 2
• God's Presscription for Grief
• Stuck in Grief
• Top 20 Lessons of Grief pt. 1
• Top 20 Lessons of Grief pt. 2
• Heaven

Link to: www.griefshare.org

Mending the Soul
This is an 11-week group specifically for women who were abused as children or have left an abusive adult relationship. For groups starting this month call 480.824.7239 to talk to Nonie Maupin for pre-registration.

Link to: www.mendingthesoulministries.org

Men’s Sexual Addiction Group
Help for Men’s Sexual Addiction
 
Jesus set the bar high with His call to sexual purity. You have heard it said “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTRY”: "but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27–28
 
Then Jesus let His hearers know the remedy for this situation. "And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:29

Jesus is likely using a literary device known as hyperbole in this verse. However, the point should be very clear: lust should be dealt with drastically and speedily. Before you rip your eye out however, try using other biblical provisions for healing. Talk to other believers struggling with this issue for the purposes of accountability and healing. You may do so in a confidential manner in groups offered through the counseling ministry. Call David Walther at 480.824.7203 for more information.   

PACE
Post Abortion Care and Encouragement
Could you be suffering from Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS)? PAS is characterized by some of the following symptoms:

• Fear of people discovering your secret
• Remorse, guilt and shame
• Emotional numbness
• Difficulty in relationships
• Hopelessness, crying, depression
• Intimacy issues
• Anger, sadness, denial
• Eating disorders
• Fear of punishment from God
• Inability to forgive

PACE, a 10-week Bible study held in private homes, is a safe, confidential place to share your hurts with encouragement and healing from God’s Word.

Call our confidential PACE line at: 480.344.PACE (7223) for more information.

Parents of Prodigals
When your child breaks your heart. . .

Parents of Prodigals is a new ministry at Scottsdale Bible designed to offer support, connection and instruction to parents experiencing the pain of their children’s rebellion.  Few of life’s experiences bring deeper pain than parents watching their children reject family values and faith. Some adolescent rebellion is normal, but when our child develops a lifestyle of self-destruction and self-indulgence, it’s time to realize that we might be a parent of a prodigal (see Luke 15:11–32).

Parents of prodigals suffer the consequences of their children’s choices, and grieve the loss of dreams for their kids. They may feel helpless and can only watch their prodigal spiral downward into sin and suffering. Parents may retreat from open, transparent relationships with family and friends, because of feeling guilt, doubt or anger. This kind of heartache is not unique to the 21st century. From the first family (in Genesis 4) until today, parents have suffered through the pain of their children’s poor choices.  But God, in His sovereignty, understands and promises to be with us.