Images of His Beauty

Images Of His Beauty is a support group for women 18-30, 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. This fall 2008 session of DivorceCare classes at SBC begins on Sunday, September 7, 3:30-5 p.m., E210, childcare is provided.

Divorce care testimonials
“The Divorce Care class has helped me focus on God’s principles of marriage and relationships. Even though marriage is a sacred covenant that two people make to each other and God, there are times when one or the other spouse feels a desperate need to leave the marriage. Often there is no chance of reconciliation. It is a cold, hard fact to admit, but the Divorce Care class led me through the process from Forgiveness to Moving Forward with relative information that was exactly what I needed to hear. The videos and discussion were very much on target and I gained a lot of wisdom and insight that I can use and share with others who are experiencing the same type of pain and despair that I have experienced. Somehow, I know that God will use this for good in my life and for the others who attended the class. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is separated or going through a divorce. God has plans for you, not to harm you, but to bless you! May God bless each one reading this and continue to use this ministry to bring hope and healing to others. Thank you for providing this much needed program.”

“After nearly 25 years of what I considered to be a wonderful marriage, I found myself in the throes of an unwanted divorce. I became a wreck and unable to function. Now, two and one-half years later, I still didn't feel right and have several unanswered questions and am readjusting to a whole new life. I noticed months ago in the bulletin at Scottsdale Bible Church a class being offered titled "Divorce Care". I read and re-read the article inviting me to attend and share 13 weeks with others who were experiencing divorce and its recovery. I reluctantly attended in hopes I could understand why I feel different now that I have become single. On the very first night of Divorce Care I was graciously and lovingly accepted into a class of people like myself who were there for the same reason I was. To Heal. After the first class of Divorce Care, I was excited to attend every class for the 13 week duration and made it a passion to learn and be there with my new found friends. Divorce Care helped me to understand how to better cope with my new life and answered every question I had about what I had been through, what I was currently feeling and glimpses of what my future could hold. I recommend first and foremost to focus on God and make every attempt to make your marriage work as that is Gods plan. Divorce Care was an incredible experience for me and gave me tools to understand my new life. The class leaders and facilitators were extremely helpful and professional and also became friends. I recommend this class to anyone who is or has experienced divorce as it is a positive investment in yourself. Thanks Scottsdale Bible!”  

“…being a Christian and divorcing has more emotional implications, towards the death of a relationship then guilt and anger towards God for not succeeding in it. Divorce Care helped put forgiveness and healing in a Christians heart for such an unChristian event. When I didn't attend I felt a lost connection. The class was good and fellowship nice.”

“I knew I had to move forward, but I just didn’t know where or how to begin—not in any area. I was at a loss as to how to heal emotionally, financially, spiritually. Divorcecare brought me together with a group of people going through the same issues, and together with compassionate facilitators, I learned how to begin healing and move forward with my life.”

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. For more information, contact the Counseling Office, 480.824.7239.

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, September 9–December 2, Chapel room 2 (7901 E. Shea Blvd), 7–9 p.m. 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

SBC offers a 10-week support group, Mending the Soul, that begins in September 2008. This is specifically for women who were abused as children or have left an abusive adult relationship. Read what one participant said when she finished the group.

“When I walked into my first Mending the Soul group, I felt awkward and ashamed and even a little scared. In spite of my previous counseling, growing up with an alcoholic parent still had a hold over me. My abuse was humiliating and degrading, and I wasn’t positive I wanted to discuss it with a group of strangers.  However, I found out that talking about it with trusted women, made me feel less ashamed. I learned two important lessons that changed my life.  First, I learned that God loves me with an everlasting love—a love that no one can take away from me. Second, I need other women in my life, so I’ve joined one of SBC Women’s Ministry Bible studies. My soul is on the mend!”

If you need God to mend your soul, contact Nonie Maupin, 480.824.7239. Groups are limited, so call soon!  

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.