Healing the Wounds of Trauma

helping children who have experienced trauma, helping people who have been raped, ministering in cases of domestic abuse, suicide, and addictions, and caring for caregivers. Choose the lessons that are most important for your community according to the time you have available. “Taking Your Pain to the Cross” (Lesson 8) provides a time for people to experience God’s healing of their pain. Do at least Lessons 1, 2, and 3 before doing this lesson. Lesson 9 is a core lesson dealing with forgiveness and repentance. Be sure you allow people to express their pain and bring it to the cross before doing this lesson. If your community is torn by conflict, continue with Lesson 10, living as a Christian in the midst of conflict. Lesson 11 looks at preparing practically and spiritually for coming trouble. The Forgiveness Ceremony provides individuals and groups with an opportunity to confess their sins and receive forgiveness. It can be done at advanced equipping sessions, or at the final meeting of a healing group.

CORE LESSONS

RESPONSE

OPTIONAL LESSONS

8 Taking Your Pain to the Cross

1, 2, 3

4, 5, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7

9

11

Forgiveness Ceremony

Note: The stories for each lesson in this North America edition dif- fer from those in other editions of the book. New topical lessons on domestic abuse, suicide, and addictions have been added and a lesson on HIV/AIDS has been omitted. Preparing for the sessions This book can be used in seminars or in weekly meetings, according to the context. Allow between 1½ and 3 hours per lesson. Study the lesson in advance and pick the teachings and exercises that are most relevant for your situation. Youmay not have time to cover everything.

9

How to Use This Book