Resources for Survivor Care in the Local Church
Dr. James Reeves
May 31, 2026
Resources for Survivor Care in the Local Church
Dr. James Reeves, Sr. Pastor Emeritus
I. God’s Word
II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
Truth: All Truth Is God’s Truth
John 17:17 Father Sanctify them in your truth. Your Word is Truth”
A. Principles of Healing In God’s Word
1. Confession/Transparency
ὁμολογέω (homologeó)-To Speak the same. To agree.
Truth: Confession/Transparency Is the first Step In Healing
Truth: Our Secrets Make Us Sick.
2. Shame
Truth: Shame Attaches Itself To Us In Abuse
Guilt: I Have Done Something Wrong
Shame: I AM wrong
Shame Says: You Can’t Confess The Secret
Truth: The Only Way Out Of Shame Is To Tell The Secret
3. Fear
Truth: Shame Creates Fear
Truth: Fear Paralyzes
4. Lies About Self, God, And Others
Self: I Am Less Than. I’m Defective
About God: He Loves Me Enough To Save Me, But Not Enough To Protect Me.
About Others: I Can’t Trust Others
Truth: Beneath It All Is a Struggle To Love And Be Loved
I John 4:15-19 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love and the one who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him. 17 By this love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in the world 18 There is No Fear in love but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves punishment and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Believing: I Can Love Myself In Christ In a Healthy Way
Believing: God Loves Me Unconditionally In Christ
Believing: Others Will Love Me When They Know Me.
We Must: Replace The Lies With The Truth Of God
Romans 12:2 …Be transformed by the renewing of your minds”
5. Forgiveness
Question: How Can We Forgive Until We Grow In Love?
We Must Learn to: Love Ourselves In Christ, Accept God’s Love In Christ, Love Others Through Christ
At First We Ask, “How Can I Forgive the Person Who Did This to Me?
Then we ask, “How Can I Not Forgive As I Have Been Forgiven?”
II. THE POWER OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
Question: Who Alone Has The Indwelling Holy Spirit?
The One Another Process: Believers gathered together crying out to be changed, transformed, healed with Jesus in our midst, and the Holy Spirit indwelling within.
III. THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH (One Another)
God’s Word Is Filled With:
- Prescriptions-What He Commands
- Promises-What He Will Do
- Principles-What Is Always True
A Powerful Principle: The “One Another” Principle “God Works Through Community”
Two Models for Helping
- The “One-on One Model” (Professional Counseling)
- The “One Another” Model
Principle: Your Malady Must Become Your Ministry
Two Benefits of the “One Another” Model
- Creates Real Life Relationships in the Church
- Mobilizes Member for Ministry – Eph. 4:11-12
Think About This:
*Your Call Can Be Found Where You Have Heen hurt
*Your Qualifications Can Be Found Where You Have Been Healed
CONCLUSION
THE RESOURCES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
- The Truth of God’s Word
- The Power of The Indwelling Holy Spirit
- The Community of Faith