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North Park Recovery and Support Approach Make no mistake… North Park is not seeking to
eliminate any other aspect of your recovery program. We simply
believe that we can offer some things that will complete your program.
Consider this; Jesus first sermon included these words:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the
prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release
the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 Did you catch that? Jesus came preaching freedom,
recovery and release. At North Park that’s the ministry that He has
called us to. The North Park recovery and support system includes
five basic facets.
1. Teaching… Jesus… saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were
like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 6:34 What was Jesus answer for people who did not know
what to do? Teaching… Not telling them what to do, but teaching them to
think about things the right way. Did you know that you and I have been
sold a bill of goods? We have been lied to about who we are, who God is
and the way to a whole-fulfilling life. Lasting recovery happens as
these lies are replaced with truth.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 That’s Jesus model. At North Park all teaching
is Bible based, recovery oriented and useful for you today. Letting
go of false belief’s and filling up on truth is the pathway to
freedom. We suggest that you take full advantage of all teaching venues:
*Weekend services:
large group casual
lecture type setting.
Saturday 5:30pm & Sunday 11:00am
*Celebrate Recovery
large group lecture
/small group sharing
+12 step
Thursday 7:00pm
*Small Groups
small interactive
home settings
Various homes throughout the week
*Bible classes:
small interactive
Sunday 9:45am
Saturation with the truth (teaching) is the way to
freedom, recovery and release. 2. Worship… Jesus said, “…true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they
are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 Worship is to exalt or lift something or someone to
the highest or most important position in our lives. You and I have
worshiped many things. Perhaps a person, a drug, or money and
recognition. Even a recovery program can become an object of worship.
At North Park we believe that Jesus Christ is the highest power. The
Bible says that getting God into the right position in your life is
“KEY” to your lasting recovery. That’s why most aspects of recovery at
NP include intentional worship… Time when we center our attention on
Jesus Christ as the highest power in our lives. …the
foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God
is stronger than man’s strength. 1Corinthians 1:25 True worship is
the key to lasting freedom, recovery and release.
3. Community… “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1Corinthians 15:33 Wrong
people = wrong choices… Right people = right choices. If you want to
hang in there, you need the right people. He who walks
with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 At North
Park you are surrounded by people who are dealing with the same kinds of
things that you are dealing with. You will find people in all levels
of recovery. Worried about judgment? In leadership at North Park
you’ll see people living successfully in the advanced stages of the
recovery process. In all areas, honesty is highly promoted and
respected. Why? Apart from honesty healing cannot take place.
Therefore confess your sins to
each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James
5:16 For this reason we highly suggest that you seek an individual
sponsor from the North Park community. True community is the staying power for freedom,
recovery and release.
4. Service… You need a place to give back… A place to live out
your life’s purpose. What is your life’s purpose? The Bible makes it
clear: …we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Think about it; God doesn’t straighten out your
life for nothing. Your new life in Christ is God’s workmanship.
Everything that has happened to you has happened for a reason. What
reason? To prepare you to fulfill the purpose that you were created for.
Like a piece of fine pottery your life has been molded and refined in
the fire of adversity in order to prepare you to serve an important
function that only you can fulfill.
He comforts us in all our troubles
so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able
to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2Corinthians 1:4 You
are uniquely qualified to serve God in a very special way. At North
Park we want to help you both discover how you are gifted and help you
begin doing serving. That’s why the Bible says, …let
your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Service and giving back is experiencing freedom,
recovery and release.
5. Relationship… You need a real growing relationship with God to
power your recovery. So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 There are loads of substitutes out there- but all of
them are exactly that; substitutes for the REAL THING. At North Park
our primary focus is helping you grow in a relationship with God through
prayer, Bible study and right relationships. |