Group Counseling: Overview

For the Building an Effective Cancer Ministry Conference

John C. Thomas, Ph.D.., Ph.D.

Thomas, J. C., & Habermas, G. (2008). Whats good about feeling bad: Finding purpose and a path through your pain. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale. Whats Good About Feeling Bad: Developing a Theology of Suffering1The Realities of SufferingReality 1: Suffering is universalReality 2: Suffering is painfulReality 3: Suffering is personalReality 4: Suffering is unnervingReality 5: Suffering is mysteriousReality 6: Suffering is biblical

2Beliefs about SufferingKey Belief 1: I deserve ease and comfort in lifeKey Belief 2: I deserve a predictable worldKey Belief 3: I deserve a fair world

3Questions about SufferingWhy me?Why this?Why now?

4Percepts of SufferingEveryone will sufferAll suffering has meaningMultiple sources:A broken & fallen worldSupernatural causesPeoples choicesOur choicesNo all-inclusive answer

5Percepts of Suffering (2)God is not obligated to give us a reasonGod knows our pain and is with us when we sufferGod is always at workGod can redeem sufferingThere is an end to all suffering for the believer

6The Purposes of SufferingThe Inward DirectionThe Forward DirectionThe Outward DirectionThe Upward Direction

7Inward Purposes of SufferingA Purified Faith (1 Pt. 1:6-7)A Humble Heart (2 Cor. 12:7-10)Test Our Faithfulness (Job 1-2)Well-Behaved Children (Hb. 12:5-6)

8Forward Purposes of SufferingTo Mature Us (Js. 1:2-4)To Be Christ-like (Ro. 8:29-29)A Personalized Faith (Job 42:5)

9Outward Purposes of Suffering To Build His Kingdom (Phil. 1:12-13)A Strong and Caring Church (1 Cor. 12:25-26)To Minister through Us (2 Cor. 1:3-7)

10Upward Purposes of SufferingSee His True Character (Job 42:1-6)Prepare Us for a Blessing (Job 42:10-17)Give Believers Dying Grace (Phil. 1:20-21)Reward Those Who Endure (Js. 1:12)To Glorify God (Jn. 9:1-4)

11The Pathway through SufferingProbe Your Beliefs about Suffering; look for misconceptions Assign Your Suffering to GodApply a Plan of RecoveryRedeem Your Suffering

12Pathway: Assign Your SufferingRelease Your Feelings to GodReview the Nature of Your SufferingRecognize the Ways God Works to Accomplish His PlanReaffirm Your Desire to Know God

13Pathway: Assign Your Suffering (4)Reassess Your Dependency & Trust in GodRelinquish Your Destiny into Gods Trustworthy HandsRejoice in How God May Use Your Suffering

14Pathway: Apply a PlanPurpose your heartChange your perspectiveExamine your attitudeChange your emotionsChange thinking: AvoidExamine expectationsHave a proper life perspective

15Pathway: Redeem Your SufferingPrevent undue stressSurrender protection and be open to others

16Providing MinistryA ministry of presenceAn empathic earAccept what happened & the persons responseSeek to instill hopePrayBe practical in your helpBe aware of your attitudeAttitude of love & acceptanceStay in contact

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