In Exodus 34:6-7 God says that “he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
The same is true for us, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. We have been given new life and forgiveness by His sacrifice for our sins. Yet, we live in a fallen world that is impacted by sin, where all have rebelled against God, and gone our own way. All of us have sinned, and have been sinned against.
Has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken title to your heart’s trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear and delight? Has the pain of past wounds hindered your intimacy with Christ? The goals of the Biblical Living department is to help others to restore their relationship with God, that has been damaged by sin and suffering - and that Jesus Christ would be the sole recipient of our worship.
Jesus teaches and shows us that God created us to love Him with all we are and to be in relationships with one another. Fulfilling this purpose is a process of discovery, facing reality, repentance, and accepting that God’s design is superior to man’s and keeping Him at the center of all we are and do.
We encourage all who are wrestling with habitual sin or pain from past wounds to first be engaged in a community group, where your brothers and sisters in Christ can walk beside you in your struggles. If you need help getting connected to a group that is a good fit for you, email
community@marshillchurch.org for more information on groups in your area. If you are already in community and your situation is beyond what your community group leaders are prepared to address, they can assist you in getting additional help by emailing
care@marshillchurch.org.
To best facilitate care for the ever growing body of Mars Hill Church, our elders have begun to re-organize our counseling support ministries. Going forward, the various support groups we have employed in the past (Men’s and Women’s Purity, Partners in Purity, Grace Groups, Eating Disorder, Substance Abuse, Post-abortion, Unplanned pregnancy, Infertility and Miscarriage) will be unified into a new kind of group —
Redemption Groups.
Redemption Groups will still deal with the specific issues of sin and suffering in depth. Groups will begin with several issue specific corporate teaching sessions – where spouses, if applicable, are also encouraged to come along and enter the process together. We will then move into a gender specific, small group format (12 sessions) where we will discuss our own individual sin or suffering, and explore more deeply the sin and shame that is a barrier to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and people we love. Our groups will be comprised with people with various struggles – our common need is the grace of Jesus Christ.
Remember, getting connected with others in a community group should be your first step in walking through the difficulties we face in living in a fallen world.
As always, if you need urgent assistance with a pastoral care issue - call the office at 206-816-3500.