(Comprised of one 45-minute class session)

Introduction:

We are experts at hiding what we don’t want others to see! We wear clothes that minimize our physical shortcomings, put on makeup to cover our flaws and keep inside thoughts that might not be acceptable to others. We have perfected an elaborate system for presenting an acceptable image of ourselves to others.

Because we expend so much effort covering up the less-than-desirable aspects of our bodies and personalities, we soon lose touch with our authentic selves. People hurt us, and we hide our wounds, believing time heals all. However, with the passage of time, the wounds just become deeper. As a result, we find ourselves at odds with the world—always angry, distant, bitter, and discouraged—wounded in heart and spirit. The causes of these inner wounds are many and varied. Maybe our parents did not know how to express love to us, or they died when we were children, or perhaps they physically abandoned us. Maybe they were very harsh, telling us, “Big boys (girls) don’t cry,” thus, we grew up never being able to show our true feelings. Maybe we were physically abused and consequently grew up with many emotional scars. No matter the cause of our hurts, Jesus wants to heal our hearts and spirits. He has provided the way for the wounds of the past to be healed and for us to be made whole.