Series We're All Prisoners, Until Christ Sets Us Free

Dr. Karen Swanson, director of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College, draws on her experience in helping incarcerated individuals and their families in this series of 10 conversations with the Discover the Word group. She takes us to a number of passages of Scripture that demonstrate that everyone experiences living in spiritual and emotional prisons and it is only in Christ where we can find true freedom.

Dates May 16-27, 2016
# of Programs 10
At The Table Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and Karen Swanson
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Part 1 - 05/16/16

“We’re all prisoners, until Christ sets us free”

Imagine being forced to live 24/7 in a room the size of your bathroom. Sounds like prison, right? Today on Discover the Word,  the group and special guest, director of the Institute for Prison Ministries, Karen Swanson, compare the confinement of a prison cell with the spiritual prison we confine ourselves to through our own wrong choices. “We’re All Prisoners, Until Christ Sets Us Free”—join that study today on Discover the Word!

Part 2 - 05/17/16

Perpetrators and victims of sin

While victims of crime can struggle with anger and bitterness, the criminal can wrestle with the shame and the guilt of what they’ve done. And both end up being imprisoned by the things they battle. Today on Discover the Word,  the group, and special guest Karen Swanson, talks about how we’re both perpetrators of sin and victims of sin, making us all prisoners, until Christ sets us free. Join the study today on Discover the Word!

 

Part 3 - 05/18/16

“Prison religion”

When an inmate “gets religion” to help his or her chances for parole, what they have is often called “prison religion,” where post-release Jesus gets left behind. Today on Discover the Word, the group, and Institute for Prison Ministries director Karen Swanson, talks about “prison religion” and also wants to know, when your circumstances change for the better, where is Jesus in your life? Discover the Word today!

Part 4 - 05/19/16

It’s not where you are, but who you are

It’s possible to be behind bars, but still experience freedom. And it’s also possible to not be an inmate at a prison, yet still be enslaved by sin. It’s not where you are but who you are. Today on Discover the Word, the group, and special guest Karen Swanson, talks about how pride can hold us in a prison of our own making while humility can set us free. Join the group today on Discover the Word!

Part 5 - 05/20/16

Enslaved by a prison of performance

Imagine being known for the worst thing you’ve done. That’s what happens to those who’ve been in prison. And even after they’ve been released, they’re constantly reminded by society of what they’ve done. In a sense, they still feel imprisoned. Today on Discover the Word, we, along with guest Karen Swanson, talk about how we all can be enslaved by a prison of performance. Listen  today to Discover the Word!

Part 6 - 05/23/16

How fear can make prisoners of us all

Karen Swanson, the Director of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College, knows about hardship. She’s seen it produce fear in those she works with, and she’s experienced it in her personal life. Today on Discover the Word, we will talk with Karen about how fear can make prisoners of us all.  Join us for day six of the study called, We’re All Prisoners, Until Christ Sets Us Free, today on Discover the Word!

Part 7 - 05/24/16

How did Paul break free from the cycle of sin

Addiction puts people behind bars, both literally and figuratively. And we can become enslaved to a variety of things like drugs, gossip, TV, shopping, or a critical spirit! Today on Discover the Word, we discuss with our guest Karen Swanson the apostle Paul’s dilemma—one he expressed so honestly—“for what I want to do, I don’t do . . . but what I hate, I do!” How did Paul break free from that cycle of sin? And how can we? Tune in today to Discover the Word!

Part 8 - 05/25/16

How shame can be its own prison

When a prisoner from a disadvantaged upbringing is released, families often throw a “get out of jail” party.  However that’s not usually true for inmates from middle or upper class homes. Their return to society is usually shrouded in secrecy. Today on Discover the Word, our guest Karen Swanson and the team discuss how shame can be a prison whether we’ve ever been in jail or not. That’s today at on Discover the Word!

Part 9 - 05/26/16

Breaking free from resentment

Holding on to anger and bitterness is like ingesting poison and expecting the other person to die. And today on Discover the Word, the Institute for Prison Ministries director Karen Swanson and our team share keys that will help us break free from resentment. Join the group today on Discover the Word!

Part 10 - 05/27/16

Set free from sinful habits and thought patterns

Statistically, as many as two-thirds of released prisoners find themselves back in jail. Today on Discover the Word, our team, along with guest Karen Swanson, reveals how it is possible to be set free from habits and thought patterns and not go back to them. The conclusion of our series “We’re All Prisoners,” today on Discover the Word!

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