Honest Awakening: Wounds, Habits, and Strongholds

What You Will Learn

• Explain Honest Awakening from the parable of the prodigal son
• Describe wounds, habits, and strongholds broadly, including addiction and unhealthy patterns
• State the medical safety facts about withdrawal, medication for addiction treatment, and overdose
• Respond to denial with patience rather than pressure

Lesson Notes

Coming to Ourselves

In Luke 15, the younger son wasted everything and ended up feeding pigs. Then he came to himself (15:17). He saw the truth about where he was and remembered there was a better place. That is Honest Awakening: no longer pretending, minimizing, or blaming, but naming what is real.

Awakening is usually a gift of God's kindness, not a result of being shamed. The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Romans 2:4). And when the son turned toward home, the father saw him, and had compassion, and ran (Luke 15:20).

Wounds, Habits, and Strongholds

People come to recovery with many kinds of struggles. In this certificate we use three broad words:

• Wounds: pain done to us or losses we suffered, such as abuse, abandonment, grief, or betrayal. Wounds are not sins we committed.
• Habits: repeated patterns we use to cope, such as alcohol or drug use, gambling, overeating, overspending, or isolating.
• Strongholds: deep ways of thinking and relating, such as people-pleasing, rage, control, chronic worry, or believing I am worthless. Paul spoke of the pulling down of strong holds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

These often connect: a wound can lead to a habit that numbs the pain, and both can build a stronghold. Leaders never label or diagnose anyone; they listen and let each person name her own struggle.

What Every Leader Must Know About Safety

• Withdrawal can be medically dangerous. Stopping some substances suddenly, especially alcohol or certain sedative medications, can cause seizures or other life-threatening problems. Anyone stopping a substance should seek medical care. Never encourage someone to quit cold on her own.
• Medication for addiction treatment is legitimate medical care. Doctors may prescribe medications for opioid or alcohol use disorders. Taking prescribed medication as directed is not trading one addiction for another, and it is not a lack of faith. Leaders never advise anyone to start, stop, or change medication.
• Overdose is an emergency. Call 911, give naloxone if it is available, follow the dispatcher's instructions, and stay with the person. Inside a facility, alert staff immediately.

Denial and Patience

Denial is common and human. Adam and Eve hid and blamed (Genesis 3:10–12). Pushing, labeling, or lecturing usually makes people defend themselves more. Instead, ask honest questions, share your own story when it fits, and pray. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men (2 Timothy 2:24).

Awakening is also not a one-time event. Many people come to themselves in layers, as God shows them more over time.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

The Far Country and the Road Home

Read Luke 15:11–24 aloud as a class. On your paper, write three things the son did before he came to himself and three things that happened after. Then write one sentence about what the father's response teaches about God.

Wound, Habit, or Stronghold?

Sort the twelve examples your instructor provides into W (wound), H (habit), or S (stronghold). Some fit more than one. Then answer the three safety questions on the sheet (withdrawal, medication, overdose).

Assignment: Safety Facts Sheet

Write a one-page safety sheet you could keep in a recovery leader's folder:

• Why withdrawal can be dangerous and what you would say to someone who wants to quit a substance on her own.
• How you would respond if someone in your group says she takes medication for addiction treatment and feels ashamed.
• The steps to take in a possible overdose, inside and outside a facility.
• Two gentle questions you might ask someone who is beginning to come to herself.
• Luke 15:20 written out, and one sentence on what it shows about God.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Luke 15:17 says the son came to himself. Without sharing more than you choose, write about a time God helped you see something true about your life. What helped you see it: kindness, consequences, a person, a verse?

Prayer focus: Ask God to open your eyes to the truth with kindness, and to make you patient with others who are still waking up.

When He Came to Himself

The prodigal son did not wake up in a church service. He woke up in a pigpen, hungry, far from home. Luke says he came to himself (Luke 15:17). For the first time in a long while, he saw clearly where he was and remembered where he belonged.

Honest Awakening is the first stage of The Restoration Path. It means naming what is true. For some it is an addiction. For others it is a habit like overspending or isolating, a wound like betrayal or abuse, or a stronghold like people-pleasing, rage, or the belief that I am worthless. All of these are welcome on the path, and no one else gets to name your struggle for you.

Waking up can also mean waking up to danger. Stopping some substances suddenly can be medically dangerous, so anyone who wants to stop should seek medical care. Medication prescribed for addiction treatment is real medical care, not a lack of faith. And if anyone may be overdosing, call 911, give naloxone if it is available, and stay with her.

The most beautiful part of the story is the father. When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him (Luke 15:20). That is how God meets everyone who turns toward home.

Think About It

1. What helped you see something true about your life? ______________________
2. Which is easiest for you to name: a wound, a habit, or a stronghold? ______________________
3. What does the running father tell you about God? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

He Came to Himself

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!— Luke 15:17 (KJV)

Awakening is seeing clearly where we are and remembering where we belong.

Reflect: What is God helping you see more clearly?

Pray: Lord, open my eyes to what is true.

Do: Write one true sentence about where you are today.

The Father Ran

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.— Luke 15:20 (KJV)

God does not wait with crossed arms. He runs to meet us.

Reflect: How does it feel to picture God running toward you?

Pray: Father, thank You for running to meet me.

Do: Take one step toward God today, however small.

Goodness Leads Us

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?— Romans 2:4 (KJV)

God's kindness, not shame, draws us to turn around.

Reflect: Where have you seen God's patience with you?

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your patience with me.

Do: List three ways God has been kind to you this year.

Strongholds Pulled Down

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)— 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)

Deep patterns can feel permanent. God's power is greater.

Reflect: What stronghold would you like God to pull down?

Pray: Lord, pull down every stronghold in my life.

Do: Name one stronghold and pray about it by name.

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?— John 5:6 (KJV)

Jesus asks a real question. Wanting to be whole is part of awakening.

Reflect: How would you answer Jesus' question today?

Pray: Lord, I want to be made whole.

Do: Write your honest answer to Jesus' question.