The Healing Course
Healing the relationship between God and humanity is the very essence of Christ's work in his life, death, and resurrection. For too many of us, the only healing model we know is the TV evangelist shouting “Be Healed!” and slapping people on the forehead. Whether we like it or not, health and wholeness of body, mind, and spirit is central to the gospel! During his ministry, Jesus healed lepers, blind men, the lame, a hemorrhaging woman, the demon‑possessed, and even raised the dead. Jesus then involved his disciples in the work of healing. The book of Acts contains accounts of healing by the next generation of Christ's followers, and the Pauline epistles discuss healing as a gift of the Spirit. For nearly 300 years, holistic healing was an integral component of Christian life and faith as a sign of God's love, compassion, and care.
In the 4th century, Christians began to regard illness as punishment or correction from God rather than a manifestation of evil or a condition contrary to God's perfect will. Spiritual and physical health increasingly became divided and compartmentalized. The grim realities of the Dark Ages, and an attitude in subsequent centuries toward faith as an intellectual rather than experiential exercise, further diminished the ministry of healing in the church. Today, while a holistic, integrated view of health emerges in medicine, the church is opening up space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in the lives of the faithful in the ministry of healing.
What does this workshop look like? We begin with a general, introductory overview of health and wholeness (body, mind, spirit) from a Christian perspective, which would include events from the Gospel which recall how Jesus himself approached the topic. After a short break, we actually “do the stuff” and begin to pray for the sick in attendance. On Saturday we go a bit deeper on various aspects introduced Friday evening. Sessions would look at spiritual, emotional, and physical sickness and how to avail oneself to God’s method of relief through the sacraments and liturgical rites of the church.
A Typical Schedule but open to change…
Friday
5:30—7:00 p.m. Registration and Supper
7:00—7:30 p.m. Opening Worship
7:30—8:30 p.m. Introduction—“Does God Heal Today?”
8:15—8:30 p.m. Short Break
8:30—9:30 p.m. An Experience of Healing Ministry
Saturday
Coffee time
9:00—9:30 a.m. Q & A from Friday evening
9:30—10:15 a.m. Physical Healing (Ministry to the Sick)
10:15—10:45 a.m. Coffee and questions
10:45—11:30 a.m. Emotional/Inner Healing
11:30—12:00 noon Questions and Noonday Prayers
12:00—1:00 p.m. Lunch: catered or pot luck
1:00—1:45 p.m. Demonization & Deliverance (Baptism, Eucharist, Exorcism)
1:45—2:00 p.m. Break
2:00—4:30 p.m. Hands on Clinic:
Five Step Model for Healing
Calling Down the Holy Spirit
Words of Knowledge for Healing
4:30—5:00 p.m. Wrap Up/Q &A/Next Steps
In the 4th century, Christians began to regard illness as punishment or correction from God rather than a manifestation of evil or a condition contrary to God's perfect will. Spiritual and physical health increasingly became divided and compartmentalized. The grim realities of the Dark Ages, and an attitude in subsequent centuries toward faith as an intellectual rather than experiential exercise, further diminished the ministry of healing in the church. Today, while a holistic, integrated view of health emerges in medicine, the church is opening up space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in the lives of the faithful in the ministry of healing.
What does this workshop look like? We begin with a general, introductory overview of health and wholeness (body, mind, spirit) from a Christian perspective, which would include events from the Gospel which recall how Jesus himself approached the topic. After a short break, we actually “do the stuff” and begin to pray for the sick in attendance. On Saturday we go a bit deeper on various aspects introduced Friday evening. Sessions would look at spiritual, emotional, and physical sickness and how to avail oneself to God’s method of relief through the sacraments and liturgical rites of the church.
A Typical Schedule but open to change…
Friday
5:30—7:00 p.m. Registration and Supper
7:00—7:30 p.m. Opening Worship
7:30—8:30 p.m. Introduction—“Does God Heal Today?”
8:15—8:30 p.m. Short Break
8:30—9:30 p.m. An Experience of Healing Ministry
Saturday
Coffee time
9:00—9:30 a.m. Q & A from Friday evening
9:30—10:15 a.m. Physical Healing (Ministry to the Sick)
10:15—10:45 a.m. Coffee and questions
10:45—11:30 a.m. Emotional/Inner Healing
11:30—12:00 noon Questions and Noonday Prayers
12:00—1:00 p.m. Lunch: catered or pot luck
1:00—1:45 p.m. Demonization & Deliverance (Baptism, Eucharist, Exorcism)
1:45—2:00 p.m. Break
2:00—4:30 p.m. Hands on Clinic:
Five Step Model for Healing
Calling Down the Holy Spirit
Words of Knowledge for Healing
4:30—5:00 p.m. Wrap Up/Q &A/Next Steps
Audio Excerpt from Healing School with Testimonies (TMJ, Osteoarthritis, Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Back/Neck/Shoulder Pain)
My articles published in Sharing Magazine:
Steve is a member of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician
Image credit: jurand / 123RF Stock Photo
