Description
Though we say God is loving, trustworthy, and all-powerful, our actions and thoughts reveal the subtle and not-so-subtle lies we're believing: that God is impossible to please, manipulative, and likely to abandon us. Written with compassion and conviction, these eight sessions bring to light our distorted thinking and point us to the truth of who God is: the great healer who knows us intimately and pursues us with love.
Getting the Most Out of Distorted Images of God
This section introduces the topic, explains the structure followed in each study and offers tips for those approaching the study on their own as well as those participating in a group.
Session One
The God of Impossible Expectations Versus the God of Compassion
Psalm 103:1–14
Session Two
The Emotionally Distant God Versus the God of Empathy and Grace
Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:1–10
Session Three
The Inattentive God Versus the God Who Knows Us Intimately
Psalm 139:1–18
Session Four
The Abusive God Versus the God Who Heals Us
Matthew 20:29–34
Session Five
The Unreliable God Versus the God Who Is Trustworthy
Psalm 145:1–16
Session Six
The God Who Abandons Versus the God Who Pursues
Psalm 103:1–14
Session Seven
The God Who Withholds Versus the God Who Provides
Matthew 6:25–34 and 7:7–11
Session Eight
The God Who Is Weak Versus the God Who Is All-Powerful
Luke 8:22–56
Total number of pages - 63 pages
Dale Ryan is CEO of Christian Recovery International. He is also an assistant professor of recovery ministry and director of the Fuller Institute for Recovery Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has consulted with ministries in several countries who are seeking to develop support groups for alcoholics and addicts and their families. He is a coauthor of The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Kindergarten, Rooted in God's Love and other Bible study guides published by InterVarsity Press.
Juanita Ryan is a clinical nurse specialist with an M.S.N. in psychiatric mental health nursing. She has taught mental health nursing at Bethel University, Rio Hondo Community College and Biola University. She is currently a therapist in private practice at Brea Family Counseling Center in Brea, California. She is the coauthor of The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Kindergarten and the author or coauthor of over thirty InterVarsity Press Bible studies.