Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help, Expanded Edition 2016

by Harriet S. Hill, Margaret Hill, Dick Baggae

This book offers a practical approach to engaging the Bible and mental health principles to find Gods healing for wounds of the heart. This provides a strong foundation for restored lives and relationships. It is a resource for leaders in churches and NGOs who care for people who have suffered horrific events like war, civil unrest, ethnic conflict, rape, and natural disasters. It will also help individuals struggling with suffering. It provides core mental health principles within a biblical framework, an approach that has been field tested since 2001 with leaders from Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and independent churches. It has been adapted into more than 150 languages and cultures around the world. It is designed for use in groups and written in simple and non-technical language. Each lesson begins with a story depicting its topic, followed by discussion questions and participatory exercises. The book includes 270 Bible references from 217 passages. This is the core book of the Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society. Paperback. 5 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. 116 pages.

Genres: Christian, Counselling

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Healing the Wounds of Trauma" is about healing from trauma using Scripture. It's designed to be used in a group setting, either in a large group that periodically breaks into smaller groups or in a small group. It can also be read by pastors to prepare them for what to do or say when confronted with someone dealing with trauma.

Each lesson started with a story about someone in Bingola who experienced trauma. The book then guided discussion about similar situations and used the Bible to find answers. This resource is designed to be used all over the world, so they encourage people to read the verses in the native language either from Bibles or booklets with the verses in the native language. The lessons included skits, group discussions, and symbolic activities.

The book had several lessons, but some lessons may not be relevant to the trauma experienced by that community and so won't be used. The topics covered were: why is there suffering, how can our wounded hearts heal, the stages of grief, helping traumatized children, helping victims of rape, dealing with people who have HIV/AIDS, helping caregivers, take your pain to the cross, how can we forgive others, and living as Christians in the midst of conflict.

The lessons stay very focused by using a few, well-chosen verses to make their point rather than doing an extensive Bible study. All of the lessons are intended to be covered in one or two days. Most of that time will probably be spent in discussion, applying the lesson to their specific circumstances. I can see that this would be a good resource to help people in areas of conflict or who suffered from natural disasters. It can also apply to individual-level (rather than community-wide) trauma. I'd recommend this resource to those who minister in these situations.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written account of working with persected people.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and helpful workbook on what trauma is, why we suffer, what the healing process looks like, how to listen to someone in pain, how to bring our pain to Jesus and what forgiveness is. The workbook encourages us to reflect on what our culture thinks vs. what scripture really says about these topics. It shows me that a heart wound needs to be tended to and treated with effort, but God is powerful to heal our wounds in his time if we ask Him.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using as our template for ministering to Syrian refugees in Jordan. Looking forward to watching God move!

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical.

[Ela · Rating 4 out of 5]

F buna pt a intelege anumite lecții importante si cum poti fi alaturi de cei ce sunt in suferinta

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the stories/examples are about war-related traumas, but there are some non-war-related examples as well, so it balances out. Overall a good primer for addressing various types of trauma as a church body. Informational and practical.