If you are familiar with 12-step programs (i.e., Alcohol Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc) then you understand the basic structure for Life Hurts God Heals. However, Life Hurts God Heals is an 8-step group targeted specifically for students in middle school through college age, and is based on the beatitudes from the Bible. This curriculum provides lifelong tools for students dealing with unresolved hurt and pain. It was written by John Baker, Doug Fields and Megan Hutchinson as a result of seeing the unmet pain of students in their youth ministry at Saddleback Church.

8-steps covered in Life Hurts God Heals that could CHANGE YOUR LIFE:

Step 1: Get help. I admit that I am powerless and that I need help.

Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor (Matthew 5:3).

Step 2: Open your heart. I now know that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He is the only One who has the power to heal my pain.

Happy are those who mourn. God will comfort them (Matthew 5:4).

Happy are the humble (Matthew 5:5).

 Step 4: Hear and speak. I agree to evaluate my life and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone whom I trust.

Happy are the pure in heart (Matthew 5:8).

 Step 5: Embrace God’s way. I will stop doing things my way and put my life on the path that leads toward God’s way.

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires (Matthew 5:6).

 Step 6: Ask for forgiveness. I will offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me, and I will ask for forgiveness for any wrong I’ve done to others.

Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:7,9).

 Step 7: Live for God. I will set aside some time for God each day to examine my life, read my Bible, and pray so that I have the power to live God’s way.

Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor (Matthew 5:3).

 Step 8: Share with others. I will take the message that God heals to others in need and share it by my words and actions.

Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires (Matthew 5:10).