Page 102 - First Steps 2023

That’s quite the assign-
ment…and local churches Former Prisoners
don’t always get it right. Corrie ten Boom, who was arrested
If you’ve had a hurtful for helping Jews escape the Nazis, later

experience in the context of a helped found a ministry to help those
who were emotionally troubled by the
local church, it may be holding
tragedies of the war.
you back from again risking Each resident of the program was
relationships in a church. You required to raise vegetables in a small
may find yourself distrustful or plot of ground. Writing in her book, The
fearful. Hiding Place, ten Boom explains, “I could
tell a patient was recovering when they
If that describes you, began to give their vegetables to others
pause now to tell your discipler rather than hoarding for themselves.”

about that obstacle. If you can, Emotional healing begins when
share what happened and how Christians learn to give rather than just
receive in the context of a community.
you’re feeling about it.
Then let your discipler
model for you how loving and healing a relationship within the church can
be as your discipler accepts you…prays with you…and cares for you.
There can be great healing in the context of a loving community. See
the Former Prisoners column on this page as an example of what can
happen.

4. The blessings and challenges of being in a local church.

First, the upside:
• You’ll have support when you encounter difficulties (Galatians 6:1-
2).
• You can benefit from the spiritual gifts others have, and serve us-
ing the gifts God has given you (1 Peter 4:10).

• Praying in unity can impact the power of your prayers (Matthew
18:19).
• The quality of your loving relationships becomes a testimony to
nonbelievers, helping you fulfill part of the mission of the church
(John 17:20-21).

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