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The Gospel for Real Life #1
Abuse: Finding Hope in Christ
“With the heart of a pastor, John Henderson helps us to see how Scripture really does make a difference in life’s most difficult hurts, pains, and sorrows.”
—Deepak Reju, Associate Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
“An invaluable resource that reflects the profound realities of the gospel in caring for those impacted by abuse. . . . A must read for everyone in the church.”
—Robert K. Cheong, Pastor of Care and Counseling, Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, KY
Comfort to the Abused . . . Glory to Christ
None of us can escape the brokenness of our world. We are sinful, hurting people surrounded by sinful, hurting people in a universe groaning under the curse of sin. The reality of physical and sexual abuse in our world is a blatant and painful proof of this brokenness. What does the gospel have to say when we are victims of evil? How do we minister to those who have suffered under abuse?
John Henderson provides Psalm 22 as a framework for responding to these questions and understanding how God comforts the afflicted through his Word, bringing it to bear in the life of a couple deeply affected by childhood sexual abuse. Their example shows the beauty and light of the gospel, and how it brings hope and perspective in the darkest of our circumstances.
THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE booklet series by the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) applies the timeless hope of Christ to the unique struggles of modern believers.
“The gospel isn’t just an ethereal idea. It’s not a philosophy and it’s not static. It moves and shapes and transforms. I am grateful for ABC’s work of letting the gospel bear its weight on these real life sorrows and pains.”
—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Flower Mound, Texas
John Henderson is counseling pastor at Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, and a board member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of Equipped to Counsel.
—Deepak Reju, Associate Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
“An invaluable resource that reflects the profound realities of the gospel in caring for those impacted by abuse. . . . A must read for everyone in the church.”
—Robert K. Cheong, Pastor of Care and Counseling, Sojourn Community Church, Louisville, KY
Comfort to the Abused . . . Glory to Christ
None of us can escape the brokenness of our world. We are sinful, hurting people surrounded by sinful, hurting people in a universe groaning under the curse of sin. The reality of physical and sexual abuse in our world is a blatant and painful proof of this brokenness. What does the gospel have to say when we are victims of evil? How do we minister to those who have suffered under abuse?
John Henderson provides Psalm 22 as a framework for responding to these questions and understanding how God comforts the afflicted through his Word, bringing it to bear in the life of a couple deeply affected by childhood sexual abuse. Their example shows the beauty and light of the gospel, and how it brings hope and perspective in the darkest of our circumstances.
THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE booklet series by the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) applies the timeless hope of Christ to the unique struggles of modern believers.
“The gospel isn’t just an ethereal idea. It’s not a philosophy and it’s not static. It moves and shapes and transforms. I am grateful for ABC’s work of letting the gospel bear its weight on these real life sorrows and pains.”
—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Flower Mound, Texas
John Henderson is counseling pastor at Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, and a board member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of Equipped to Counsel.
- GenresCounselling
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2012
13 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
John Henderson
3 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Henderson (MA, PhD, University of North Texas) is associate pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and a board member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of Equipped to Counsel.
John Henderson (MA, PhD, University of North Texas) is associate pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and a board member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He is the author of Equipped to Counsel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 19, 2021
A difficult read but a eye opening read.
December 16, 2025
This booklet walks through eight lessons from Psalm 22 in responding wisely to suffering and abuse in counseling. I love resources that reveal how rich and deep Scripture is!
December 21, 2021
This is a tiny little book packed with encouragement. It explores the effects of abuse (physical and sexual) on a marriage through a case study of one couple. I think you could glean insights even if you aren’t married though. It basically applies psalm 22 and walks through several other passages to help apply the gospel to all parts of life. (Relationships, sexuality, past experiences, etc…)
April 16, 2022
A gospel-centered perspective on processing and healing from abuse that emphasizes the compassion of Christ and the sovereignty of God which is so vast in its goodness that it can even redeem our darkest experiences. It acknowledges the reality of extreme pain and trauma that this world of sin can bring and gives practical steps forward through the help of Scripture❤️
April 17, 2022
God cares about our pain
This is an insightful walk with a couple who faced dealing with past abuse. You see how God cares and ministers to our pain to bring healing from abuse, and place our focus on where it truly belongs.
This is an insightful walk with a couple who faced dealing with past abuse. You see how God cares and ministers to our pain to bring healing from abuse, and place our focus on where it truly belongs.
August 16, 2023
Grounded both in a real life situation and in the Scriptures, this is an excellent brief resource on an otherwise daunting topic.
Christ has saved sinners from their sin. He has also saved sufferers through their suffering.
Christ has saved sinners from their sin. He has also saved sufferers through their suffering.
December 20, 2024
This little booklet walks through one counseling session with a struggling couple. The conversation centers on Psalm 22 and the hope of the gospel. This is a practical, biblical resource for thinking about abuse and it's ongoing effects on a marriage.
June 24, 2022
Very readable, not very long. Easy to pick up and helpful to use when starting to dive into this topic through the study of Scripture. Maybe more on the general side.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews