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Alive Again: Find Healing in Forgiveness (Bible Study Book)
Set off on a life-changing journey of putting on the character of Christ by discovering the forgiving heart of God, leading to the full and abundant life he promised.From lying to cheating, betrayal to carelessness, dealing with hurts is difficult. Alive Again challenges us to understand indicators of unforgiveness and barriers to forgiving, in light of the Bible. With the Bible as the ultimate guide for relationships and our brokenness, Bible teacher Sarah K. Howley, shows how to embrace the path that leads closer to God and nearer the character of Jesus.
Revealing new insight in old Bible stories, Alive Again demonstrates the life-altering impact forgiveness has in our relationships with others and with God. In Alive
Embrace the forgiving heart of God who heals past hurts.Allow the Spirit to transform your heart even when the offender is unwilling to apologize.Uproot hidden hurts and offenses that influence our behaviors and release them to God for healing.Capture lingering memories and pain and submit them to scripture.See the Bible as the guide for relationships that may not reconcile.With Alive Again, walk the path from pain to healing through forgiveness - whether reconciliation is possible or not.
Benefits
Leads to deep personal understanding of forgiveness and reconciliationInvites the Holy Spirit to heal your inner painReveals the freedom of knowing God’s intention of forgivenessFeatures
8 sessions, completed in 60-90 minutes per sessionList of accompanying Bible passages for each topicThought-provoking and inspiring questions about Bible accounts and for personal application
Excellent for groups or individuals to deepen understanding of God’s intention for forgiveness in your life.
Start your journey to Christlikeness with Alive Again today!
Revealing new insight in old Bible stories, Alive Again demonstrates the life-altering impact forgiveness has in our relationships with others and with God. In Alive
Embrace the forgiving heart of God who heals past hurts.Allow the Spirit to transform your heart even when the offender is unwilling to apologize.Uproot hidden hurts and offenses that influence our behaviors and release them to God for healing.Capture lingering memories and pain and submit them to scripture.See the Bible as the guide for relationships that may not reconcile.With Alive Again, walk the path from pain to healing through forgiveness - whether reconciliation is possible or not.
Benefits
Leads to deep personal understanding of forgiveness and reconciliationInvites the Holy Spirit to heal your inner painReveals the freedom of knowing God’s intention of forgivenessFeatures
8 sessions, completed in 60-90 minutes per sessionList of accompanying Bible passages for each topicThought-provoking and inspiring questions about Bible accounts and for personal application
Excellent for groups or individuals to deepen understanding of God’s intention for forgiveness in your life.
Start your journey to Christlikeness with Alive Again today!
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2021
9 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 6, 2022
"Forgiveness is NOT forgetting the offense. Forgiveness is NOT reconciliation. Forgiveness does NOT excuse the offense."
Perhaps I have always misunderstood what God intended with forgiveness. I put it on the person to make things right first before I am willing to forgive. But what this book makes clear is that ultimately forgiveness is between me and God. That act happens in my heart with God's help. If I hold on to grievances, I am only hurting myself.
This book addresses what the Bible has to say about forgiveness. The Scriptures used were relevant and on point. While a few examples were given, I appreciated the fact that more of the book was about what the Bible has to say. Although reading about a few modern-day examples are helpful, those are too easy to dismiss if we find them to be too simple or too complex compared to our own issues.
Personally I have not had any radical issues that I have needed to forgive - at least not so far. But what struck me about this book was what it pointed out that related directly to me. I think I often I hold on to small issues. I am unable to relate well to others sometimes because I am holding to hurts that I should have let go of a long time ago.
Reconciliation is also addressed. The author emphasizes that forgiveness and reconciliation are completely separate. The first is necessary, but the second may not be possible. Yet since God wants us to be at peace with others and we are unable to avoid certain people forever, reconciling with others is highly encouraged.
I appreciated how many times the Bible is referenced. From my perspective, this book is theologically sound and full of practical advice. I bookmarked many pages as I read and could share many ideas that impacted me. Rather than doing that, I am telling you to read the book for yourself.
This is a title that I will continue to reference and recommend to others. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
Perhaps I have always misunderstood what God intended with forgiveness. I put it on the person to make things right first before I am willing to forgive. But what this book makes clear is that ultimately forgiveness is between me and God. That act happens in my heart with God's help. If I hold on to grievances, I am only hurting myself.
This book addresses what the Bible has to say about forgiveness. The Scriptures used were relevant and on point. While a few examples were given, I appreciated the fact that more of the book was about what the Bible has to say. Although reading about a few modern-day examples are helpful, those are too easy to dismiss if we find them to be too simple or too complex compared to our own issues.
Personally I have not had any radical issues that I have needed to forgive - at least not so far. But what struck me about this book was what it pointed out that related directly to me. I think I often I hold on to small issues. I am unable to relate well to others sometimes because I am holding to hurts that I should have let go of a long time ago.
Reconciliation is also addressed. The author emphasizes that forgiveness and reconciliation are completely separate. The first is necessary, but the second may not be possible. Yet since God wants us to be at peace with others and we are unable to avoid certain people forever, reconciling with others is highly encouraged.
I appreciated how many times the Bible is referenced. From my perspective, this book is theologically sound and full of practical advice. I bookmarked many pages as I read and could share many ideas that impacted me. Rather than doing that, I am telling you to read the book for yourself.
This is a title that I will continue to reference and recommend to others. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
November 29, 2021
In one of the early chapters, the author compares unforgiveness to a rope that slowly begins tightening around the offended person and eventually affects everything else in their lives.
Then there is the reminder that if we snap at others it is typically not about the current circumstance, but instead unresolved pain.
It is impossible to continue to harbor bitterness toward someone if you are earnestly praying for them & the situation.
Each chapter ends with a few questions for reflection or discussion.
Then there is the reminder that if we snap at others it is typically not about the current circumstance, but instead unresolved pain.
It is impossible to continue to harbor bitterness toward someone if you are earnestly praying for them & the situation.
Each chapter ends with a few questions for reflection or discussion.
June 20, 2022
A sincere, heart-felt interactive guide for inner peace.
The author uses the parable of the Prodigal Son as the basis for the exploration of hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation, in the same way, that Henri Nouwen used Rembrandt’s famous painting as the starting point for the same topic.
The author’s style is simple, engaging, and empathic. She does not veer into over-sentimentalism, and nor does she veer into overbearing. Rather it is a heart-to-heart conversation between the author and the reader. Despite its brevity and simplicity, it is quite deep, as she touches on both the psychological and the spiritual aspects of healing and forgiveness. Oftentimes, she effectively uses anecdotes from literature, movies, and scripture to illustrate certain concepts.
Two literary figures come to mind Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Christo, and Benhur. Both novels deal with the severe injustice that destroyed the protagonists’ lives forever overnight. Both were consumed by hurt, rage, and hatred and they lived their wretched lives driven by an obsession for revenge in order to right the injustice. Both rejected the advice to turn to Christ from the jailed priest-confessor, and from the slave girl who had lost just as much as her master. In their new lives, both protagonists became bitter, introspective, and anti-social, even though they acquired so much money and prestige. Both responded by turning to Christian tenets in different ways with different results. Edmond Dantes set himself up as the Old Testament avenging God, sitting on his throne rewarding those who helped him, and punishing his accusers in the most cynical, cruel, and premeditated way possible. Although he achieved his aim, the book closes with him as an unhappy, cold man unable to gain any inner peace. Although Benhur kills Messala, he remains a hostile, self-pitying brutal figure, until grace unexpectedly saves him, and he is reborn.
That’s what the author explains. In order to have peace of soul, there has to be a change of heart and that cannot happen without genuine prayer. You can only do as much as you can, but give yourself to God and God will do the rest. Benhur did that, Edmond Dantes did not. I was struck by the reaction of the family of the murdered victim in Dead Man Walking, as they harassed Sr. Helen Prejean. They were not satisfied solely with justice. It was revenge they were after. They were dead-set on witnessing the murderer suffer as he was executed. Did that closure bring them healing?
“Forgiveness requires the cross. It takes the cross for me to understand and grasp forgiveness. I did not need to carry my mistakes, my sin, and my hurt around with me. I have been truly set free and that has happened through the forgiveness I received because of the cross. I am alive again.” Those are the words of the author commenting on Beth More’s book, but they could have easily been spoken by Ben Hur.
All in all, a commendable book.
The author uses the parable of the Prodigal Son as the basis for the exploration of hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation, in the same way, that Henri Nouwen used Rembrandt’s famous painting as the starting point for the same topic.
The author’s style is simple, engaging, and empathic. She does not veer into over-sentimentalism, and nor does she veer into overbearing. Rather it is a heart-to-heart conversation between the author and the reader. Despite its brevity and simplicity, it is quite deep, as she touches on both the psychological and the spiritual aspects of healing and forgiveness. Oftentimes, she effectively uses anecdotes from literature, movies, and scripture to illustrate certain concepts.
Two literary figures come to mind Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Christo, and Benhur. Both novels deal with the severe injustice that destroyed the protagonists’ lives forever overnight. Both were consumed by hurt, rage, and hatred and they lived their wretched lives driven by an obsession for revenge in order to right the injustice. Both rejected the advice to turn to Christ from the jailed priest-confessor, and from the slave girl who had lost just as much as her master. In their new lives, both protagonists became bitter, introspective, and anti-social, even though they acquired so much money and prestige. Both responded by turning to Christian tenets in different ways with different results. Edmond Dantes set himself up as the Old Testament avenging God, sitting on his throne rewarding those who helped him, and punishing his accusers in the most cynical, cruel, and premeditated way possible. Although he achieved his aim, the book closes with him as an unhappy, cold man unable to gain any inner peace. Although Benhur kills Messala, he remains a hostile, self-pitying brutal figure, until grace unexpectedly saves him, and he is reborn.
That’s what the author explains. In order to have peace of soul, there has to be a change of heart and that cannot happen without genuine prayer. You can only do as much as you can, but give yourself to God and God will do the rest. Benhur did that, Edmond Dantes did not. I was struck by the reaction of the family of the murdered victim in Dead Man Walking, as they harassed Sr. Helen Prejean. They were not satisfied solely with justice. It was revenge they were after. They were dead-set on witnessing the murderer suffer as he was executed. Did that closure bring them healing?
“Forgiveness requires the cross. It takes the cross for me to understand and grasp forgiveness. I did not need to carry my mistakes, my sin, and my hurt around with me. I have been truly set free and that has happened through the forgiveness I received because of the cross. I am alive again.” Those are the words of the author commenting on Beth More’s book, but they could have easily been spoken by Ben Hur.
All in all, a commendable book.
September 16, 2022
When we as Christians speak to others about forgiveness, we first need to remember forgiveness itself is a two-way street. And for starters, we need to remember that MATTHEW 6:15 [NKJV] tells us:
"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
All of us have gotten hurt by other individuals from time to time in our lives, and the resulting feeling has always been real and immense. When this happens, it might become one of the most challenging things we'll have to confront. The truth is when this occurs, the discomfort of existing with the hatred within us, coupled with our unforgiveness towards that individual, can taint our souls and even devastate us.
The truth is that forgiving others is the requirement for our forgiveness; if in doubt, then read MATTHEW 6:14-15 [NKJV]:
14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We shouldn't possess any hatred or anger in our hearts, and if we should, for eternity, we need to turn to our Lord for His healing and obtain the capability to forgive. So, in the end, regarding forgiveness, we need to remember what we read in EPHESIANS 4:32 [NKJV]:
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
The Bible is an encyclopedia of knowledge of both worlds; the world of the Christian faith and that of the secular world. This is why they turn to the Bible when seeking the best guide for our brokenness and relationships, especially the ones we possess with the Lord. However, given the complexity of the Bible, even as Christians, we require someone to assist in guiding us through its pages.
This book and its author Sarah K. Howley have successfully shown readers how to embrace the Lord and follow the path that leads to Him. Forgiving others has its rewards; aside from our relationships with the Lord and others, there is a healing process of negative past events in our lives that He provides us with, which has sometimes influenced our negative behavior for far too long.
For wanting to transform the lives of her readers through her knowledge of Scripture, incorporating her personal experiences, and giving them practical applications of these things; being the voracious reviewer of nonfiction Christian books I am, I've given Ms. Howley 5 STARS for her endeavor here.
I received an e-book copy of this book from the author through a giveaway she had on LibraryThing, and the above has been my honest opinion.
"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
All of us have gotten hurt by other individuals from time to time in our lives, and the resulting feeling has always been real and immense. When this happens, it might become one of the most challenging things we'll have to confront. The truth is when this occurs, the discomfort of existing with the hatred within us, coupled with our unforgiveness towards that individual, can taint our souls and even devastate us.
The truth is that forgiving others is the requirement for our forgiveness; if in doubt, then read MATTHEW 6:14-15 [NKJV]:
14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We shouldn't possess any hatred or anger in our hearts, and if we should, for eternity, we need to turn to our Lord for His healing and obtain the capability to forgive. So, in the end, regarding forgiveness, we need to remember what we read in EPHESIANS 4:32 [NKJV]:
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
The Bible is an encyclopedia of knowledge of both worlds; the world of the Christian faith and that of the secular world. This is why they turn to the Bible when seeking the best guide for our brokenness and relationships, especially the ones we possess with the Lord. However, given the complexity of the Bible, even as Christians, we require someone to assist in guiding us through its pages.
This book and its author Sarah K. Howley have successfully shown readers how to embrace the Lord and follow the path that leads to Him. Forgiving others has its rewards; aside from our relationships with the Lord and others, there is a healing process of negative past events in our lives that He provides us with, which has sometimes influenced our negative behavior for far too long.
For wanting to transform the lives of her readers through her knowledge of Scripture, incorporating her personal experiences, and giving them practical applications of these things; being the voracious reviewer of nonfiction Christian books I am, I've given Ms. Howley 5 STARS for her endeavor here.
I received an e-book copy of this book from the author through a giveaway she had on LibraryThing, and the above has been my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews