Asha - Biblica - The International Bible Society

Asha: Journey to Healing

Discover God’s Heart for the Brokenhearted

Asha is a nine-week trauma healing program that uses the words of Jesus to address the long-term symptoms of chronic or post-traumatic stress for women. It shows that abused and traumatized women are created in God’s image and are loved by Him.

Nine-Week Program Based on the “I Am” Statements of Jesus.

Organized Around Stories and Discussion in Small Group Setting.

Survivors Heal and Become Victors With a Mature Faith.

A Biblical Response to the Experience of Trauma

The global count of women enduring violence and abuse is alarming. Each day, every year, countless women and young girls experience trauma through the actions of others. Asha tries to provide answers to difficult questions: “How can such horrors happen? Where is God in all of this?”

6 out of 10 women have experienced trauma.

Jesus is the Answer to Our Suffering

The Bible tells how God wants to heal those who have been abused and traumatized. Jesus used “I AM” statements to describe Himself. He expanded on them with images from everyday life, helping us understand more fully who God is and who He wants to be in our lives. Asha explores each of the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
– John 6:35 (NIV)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
– John 8:12 (NIV)

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
–John 10:9 (NIV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
– John 10:11&14 (NIV)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
– John 11:25-26 (NIV)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
– John 14:6 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
– John 15:5 (NIV)

Go Deeper Into the Healing Journey

As survivors read the stories of Jesus’ interaction with marginalized men and women, they encounter the love of God for his wounded daughters and His hope-inspiring persistence in restoring them. Each week of the program contains:

A Story

These fictitious stories reflect the real experiences of pain and suffering of women from all over the world. They tell of the many ways in which women can experience abuse and how their bodies and minds may react.

Let’s Talk About It

Survivors begin to face what happened to them and how this changed them. It is an opportunity to learn why they respond in certain ways and what they can do to begin to move forward.

Read a Portion of John’s Gospel

This gives the broader context of Jesus’ ministry and how He came to save and heal us all.

Let’s Think About It

This is a time to explore the “I AM” sayings of Jesus and how they relate to survivors of abuse.

Let’s Practice It

Trauma lives on in our bodies. It is important for survivors to learn skills to calm themselves and change how their bodies react.

Homework

Reflection questions throughout the week help survivors think more about the heart of God for his wounded daughters. The skills homework helps them to grow stronger and more confident.

Available Languages

Asha (Hindi name meaning “hope”) was initially born in India. This global version is now available in several languages:

Classic Arabic

Sudanese Arabic

Libyan Arabic

Gulf Arabic

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Ukrainian

Testimonials From Asha Participants

“As a group, we heard so many testimonies, and we learned from them about the problems in the world. This Bible study helped us to realize how those problems can be solved, and how we can help others find a way out of their problems too. I am personally very much encouraged by this book, and I am thankful to God for having received a copy of my own.”

“In Asha, I read about women who had gone through much worse situations than me. I also learned how God strengthened them. After reading this Asha book, I got a new confidence. My heart was filled with a kind of joy. … The Lord is great. He is doing great miracles in our lives.”

“The Asha book is helping me as a mother. Because of Asha, courage has been built in me and I am confident now of being able to have these important conversations with my daughter, as she grows up.”

ACT Programs

Asha is part of a suite of Adversity, Crisis and Trauma resources published by Biblica.

Not a day goes past without news of war, famine, earthquakes, flooding, or other disasters. Globally over a billion people are living in conflict zones with more than 120 million people forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations.

Biblica wants everyone affected by trauma to know that God cares for them, loves them, and is present with them in their suffering. Through our Adversity, Crisis, and Trauma resources, we aim to support the emotional and spiritual needs of survivors. Reaching
survivors with the Gospel of Christ is not as simple as sharing the message of salvation. Often the wounds of fresh and past hurts block a person’s ability to hear truth and receive love and kindness. Adversity, Crisis, and Trauma healing resources can meet survivors
in their place of loss and pain, offering to journey with them toward hope and wholeness.

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