Hello Parents and friends of Jr and Sr high students,

This FALL, 2008, Jr and Sr high ministry provides ongoing support though a small group called Life Hurts – God Heals (LHGH), created specifically for teenagers who have experienced pain or addiction including: drinking, cutting, pornography, depression, eating disorders, troubled family dynamics, anger, etc.  All over the country thousands of students have gone through this 8-step study leaving many encouraged and changed. Listen to what a few shared:

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

·          "I went to LHGH thinking maybe just maybe someone could help me cause the shrinks and anti-depressants weren't cutting it. And wow this whole experience so far has been amazing. My outlook on life has changed so much. I know I'm just beginning my road to becoming healed..." - Allie, 16 

·          “I was addicted to porn since I was 9 years old.  What started out as a curious “hobby” began to creep into the crevice of every area of my life. …like a drug that I had to use. Then I heard of this 8-step group called Life Hurts God Heals. I went and realized it was more than a program - it was a safe place to be…me. While there, I told my small group leaders about my addiction and that’s when my journey to healing started. We started applying the 8 steps to every aspect of my addiction and it helped me so much! Finally! – Carter, 16

·          “I showed up at Life Hurts-God Heals and God just kind of opened the doors. When other guys in my group opened up, I realized it was a safe place to be open too.” – Jon, 15

·          “The main reason I joined LHGH is because I never have accepted myself. I’ve always thought I wasn’t good enough. I would wonder why God put me here. To get away from the pain, I would eat.  Now, I am in Life Hurts God Heals and receiving steps that I can actually apply to my life to help turn my bad choices into good ones.” – Steph, 18

·          “I don’t know about you, but my life hurts. I needed help and Life Hurts God Heals gave me that help through other people’s support and openness. I am on my way!” – Paul, 17

·          “I joined life hurts God Heals because I got kicked out and had to live with my dad and I just wanted to start over…now I have new friends from LHGH who understand and steps to help me when I want to blow it.” – Theresa, 14

·          “I had the “perfect” family but then realized that what we looked like on the outside was not what we were on the inside. I found out I was bipolar and ended up being sent away for three years for my problems…eating disorder, drugs, sex, Satanism, suicide…you name it. While I was away, my parents started to radically change for the better and told me I had to try out LHGH when I returned home. So I did.  At first the God stuff killed me. I hated it. But then I realized that the leaders were real people with a real relationship with God and I ended up liking what LHGH was all about. I am still figuring it all out, but LHGH was a cool place to start.”  - Danelle, 17

If you are familiar with the 12-step program called Celebrate Recovery, then you

may understand how Life Hurts – God Heals works. Life Hurts - God Heals is an 8-step small group biblical study providing life long tools to help students heal from their hurts written by John Baker, Doug Fields and Megan Hutchinson.  Any student is welcome ANYTIME. No RSVP required!

*****Please check our our blog at www.saddlebackfamily.com/youth then click on OUCH!*****

FOR JR and SR HIGH THIS FALL

Runs most Wednesday’s from 7:00-9:00pm, LOCATION REFINERY GYM

the first and last night run 2 ½  hours*. From 7:00-9:30pm

September 10*, 24

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

November 5, 12, 19, 26

December 3, 10*

·         COST $20 (covers book materials)

Thanks for caring!

Megan

meganh@saddleback.net - STUDENTS MAY JUST SHOW UP! NO PRE-REGISTRATION

LIFE HURTS – G.O.D. H.E.A.L.S.    8-steps

By John Baker, Doug Fields and Megan Hutchinson

Step 1: Get help. I admit that I am powerless on my own and that I need help.

Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor. (Matthew 5:3)

Step 2: Open your heart. I now know that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He is the only One who has the   power to heal my pain.

Happy are those who mourn. God will comfort them. (Matthew 5:4)

Step 3: Depend on Christ. I realize I need to turn my life over to Christ. I need to depend on Him in the all areas of my              life, including all that I say, think, and do.

Happy are the humble. (Matthew 5:5)

Step 4: Hear and speak. I agree to evaluate my life and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone that I trust.

Happy are the pure in heart. (Matthew 5:8)

Step 5: Embrace God’s way. I will stop doing things my way and put my life on the path that leads toward God’s way.

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires. (Matthew 5:6)

Step 6: Ask for forgiveness. I will offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me, and I will ask for forgiveness for any                wrong I’ve done to others.

Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers. (Matthew 5:7,9)

Step 7: Live for God. I will set aside some time for God each day to examine my life, read my Bible, and pray so that I              have the power to live God’s way.

Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor. (Matthew 5:3)

Step 8: Share with others. I will take the message that God heals to others in need and share it by my words and   actions.

Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires. (Matthew 5:10)