Support Groups
Parents of Prodigals Workshop
March 16–April 27, 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. For more information, contact Jim Chapman, 602.482.3980, Laurie Chapman, 602.205.1472 or the Counseling Office, 480.824.7239.
Choosing Wisely Before You Divorce
Sundays, February 28–March 28, 3:30-5 p.m., 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 spring class. All calls are confidential. To find out more go to: www.beforeyoudivorce.org.
DivorceCare: February 14-May 23, 3:30–5 p.m., E210
DivorceCare is a 13 week support group and seminar. DivorceCare is facilitated by people who have experienced and understand the pain of separation or divorce. You will become part of a small support group where you will be able to talk about the information presented during the DVD seminar. You will learn how to deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life. Topics covered include: anger, depression, loneliness, kids, financial survival, and forgiveness. DivorceCare is non-denominational and features biblical teaching for recovery. There is a $12 workbook fee; scholarships are available. For more information visit www.divorcecare.org or call the Counseling Office at 480.824.7239.
DivorceCare testimonials
- “I really enjoyed hearing other people’s stories. It helps you realize you are not alone.”
- “I liked the honesty of the DVDs and the variety of topics they covered.”
- “I liked he wisdom that was shared in the DVDs. It showed real people with problems and how they overcame them through God.”
- “I look forward to coming every Sunday.”
- “So much peace has come to me. I have been doing more Bible reading and much more prayer!”
DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K)
Sundays, February 14–May 23, 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.
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding
Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m., E212
The group is studying Boundaries through February and will begin a series on Safe People on March 9. Please call Diane 480.703.2885 for more information.
Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m., E214
A new study, Who’s Pushing Your Buttons? begins February 3. Please call Deedy 480.471.0062 for more information.
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.
GriefShare
January 5-March 30, 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.
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.
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.
Mike Speakman, a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor, 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.
Mending the Soul
Mending the Soul small groups are specifically for women who were abused as children or 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
To place your name on the list for classes beginning in September or for more information, call the Counseling Center at 480.824.7239. Also, visit the website www.mendingthesoul.org for an overview of the Mending the Soul ministry.
