Support Groups

New—Commit to Communicate Couples Workshop

Friday, October 22, 7–9 p.m., and Saturday, October 23, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., E105

Communication, the one area of marriage in which most couples wish they were more successful. This workshop gives opportunities to learn and to practice a very helpful method of communicating within a biblical framework. Psychologist Greg Crow, Ph. D. will conduct the workshop and shares a valuable communication technique that will help couples grow in their ability to communicate. Dr. Crow has been a psychologist for over 30 years, with marriage counseling as one of his specialties. Limited to 25 couples. Call 480.824.7239 to register.

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m., E212
The evening group is studying the DVD series “Who’s Pushing Your Buttons? Handling the Difficult People in Your Life” by Dr. John Townsend from June 8 through August 31. In this DVD series, you will learn to make adjustments that will help to change the difficult person in your life. Learn by understanding your button pusher, determining the nature of the problem, receiving compassionate help, realizing there is hope, and obtaining resources to help navigate the necessary changes. Please call Diane, 480.703, 2885, for more information.

Beginning September 7, the group will be studying Cloud and Townsend’s Boundaries DVD series. Learn what boundaries are, what they protect, how they are developed, and how to use them. The goal is to help use biblical boundaries to achieve the relationships and purposes that God intends for us as we grow in him Please call Diane, 480.703, 2885, for more information.

Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m., E214
Good Women Get Angry is the name of the current study for the morning group. This book is authored by Dr. Gary Oliver and H. Norman Wright and is a biblically-based study to explore anger beliefs/mis-beliefs, the causes of anger, and healthy ways to handle anger.
Beginning September 15, a new study, Love is a Choice by Robert Hemfelt, et.al., will explore the God-given need to love and be loved, characteristics of codependent, compulsive behaviors that fail to fill our “love hunger;” and how to be free to love and develop healthy, interdependent relationships and families. For more information, call Kari at 480.990.8999 or email leannot.wed@gmail.com.

This 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 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.

Mending the Soul

Mending the Soul small groups are specifically for women who were abused as children and have left an abusive adult relationship. These groups provide support and a biblically-guided theology of healing in a safe and confidential group environment.

Mending the Soul is a ministry started by Dr. Steve and Celestia Tracy. Created to serve the church and community, Mending the Soul is an educational and equipping ministry which exemplifies:

• God’s justice by prophetically standing against abuse
• God’s mercy by protecting the vulnerable and helping to heal the broken
• God’s goodness by loving the broken and helping to restore the exquisite male and female design for healthy relationships

Confronting past abuse is never easy; therefore we want to ensure that Mending the Soul groups will be helpful for those interested in participating. Please download the “Group Participant Intake Form” and fill it out. Call the Counseling Center at 480.824.7239 to schedule a thirty-minute meeting with Nonie Maupin, who oversees the groups. Please bring the downloadable, completed “Group Participant Intake Form” to your appointment. After it has been determined that Mending the Soul support group will be helpful for you, you will be put on the list for classes beginning in September. Appointments with Nonie will begin in late June. For an overview of the Mending the Soul ministry, visit the website www.mendingthesoul.org.

Download the Intake Form, used by permission, for potential group participants.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PALS): Sundays, 3:30–5 p.m., E113

This is an on-going support group, meeting Sundays at 3:30 p.m. in E113. This group is for parents or spouses who have a child or loved one suffering from problems with drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Joyce Page, RN, is the facilitator for this group which gives support to, and receives support from, others facing the same challenges regarding their loved ones. No registration is necessary; come for confidential education and support.

DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K)

Sundays, September 12–December 5, 3:30–5 p.m., E212
DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) is a 13-week recovery ministry for children ages 5-12 and is designed to work in conjunction with DivorceCare for Adults. DC4K is held in the room next to the adult class. DC4K combines videos, games, music, crafts and activities to create a warm, caring environment for children of divorce. Pre-registration is required. Please call the Counseling Office at 480.824.7239 to register your child(ren) or for more information. There is a $12 workbook fee; scholarships are available. To find out more go to: www.dc4k.org.

DicorceCare for Kids Testimonials

• “The opportunity to be with other children of divorced families and learn through God’s Word how to deal with their feelings has been wonderful for our family.”
• “My children enjoyed the classes they attended and asked to go back.”
• “After the first few classes, my two boys did a lot of talking about what was going on in the family. They seem a lot calmer now and are happier. My youngest was sad after the closing class and misses the group.”
• “My children said, “Thank you so much Mommy for taking me. I want to go back.” It was a blessing to me, their mom, to have a safe place for them to go while I attended the DivorceCare classes. After our classes, we would often stop for a snack and talk about what we had learned.

GriefShare

September 14–December 7, Chapel Room 2, 7–8:30 p.m.
This is a weekly support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them. The GriefShare experience includes three key elements that work together to guide your healing process: Video, small group discussion and the workbook. There is a workbook fee of $12; scholarships are available.
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 Prescription for Grief
• Stuck in Grief
• Top 20 Lessons of Grief pt. 1
• Top 20 Lessons of Grief pt. 2
• Heaven

For more information call the Counseling Office at 480.824.7239 or visit www.griefshare.org.

Parents of Prodigals Workshop

Tuesdays, September 7–October 19, 7-9p.m., off campus.

Parents of Prodigals is an encouragement and support group for parents whose child has broken their hearts by rejecting family values and faith and is living a lifestyle of self-destruction. In a seven-week study based on biblical materials developed by Carol Nahm, MDiv., parents meet others with similar needs, share burdens, intercede in prayer, and celebrate successes in a small group setting. There is a $10 study guide fee. For more information, contact Jim Chapman, 602.482.3980, Laurie Chapman, 602.205.1472 or the Counseling Office, 480.824.7239.

Men’s Recovery Group

A new Men’s Recovery group addresses the issues of sexual compulsivity including lust and pornography. The group will provide a safe, confidential and compassionate environment for men to address sexual purity. For more information, call the Counseling Center at 480.824.7239 and ask for David Walther. All calls are confidential.

Men’s Purity in Christ Group

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 confidential information.

Choosing Wisely Before You Divorce

Sundays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, from 3:30-5pm, E201.
This class helps a couple in a marriage crisis situation step back from the emotional turmoil to take an objective view of how divorce would affect their lives in several areas: emotional, physical, financial, legal, children and family, and spiritual. Call 480.824.7239 to register for the fall class. All calls are confidential. To find out more go to: www.beforeyoudivorce.org.