(818) 707-5664 | [email protected]

Beyond Suffering Course Reader Articleskbautista2025-09-23T07:20:58-07:00

Beyond Suffering Course Reader Articles

One of the great strengths of Beyond Suffering is the more than sixty articles written by experts in disability ministry and disability theology. Their personal stories, insights, and guidance will deepen and shape your own preparation for disability ministry. These articles are available for download on this page with your purchase of the Beyond Suffering course book.

If you are completing Beyond Suffering for a Certificate of Completion, your course instructor will assign select Course Reader articles that you will read at the end of each lesson. If you are in a Joni and Friends online course, the assigned readings will be clearly indicated on the online platform. Whatever the specific requirements and format of your course experience, all articles are available for your own reference.

We would like to thank the many subject matter experts who have contributed to Beyond Suffering through these articles.

Download Author Biographies

Module One: An Overview of Disability

Lesson One: Why Minister to People Living with Disability?

“The Kingdom of God and Disability: A Commentary on Luke 14:1-24,” Rev. Steve Bundy

“The Lost Great Commission: Luke 13:10 – 17:10,” Rev. Dan’l Markham

“Wolfensberger’s 18 Wounds of Disability,” Jeff and Kathi McNair

“A Theological Introduction to Disability,” Leow Wen-Pin

“On Identification: Same Lake, Different Boat,” Stephanie O. Hubach

Lesson Two: What Defines a Disability?

“Seeing Life through Blinded Eyes,” Judy Redlich

“Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Rebekah Dyer

“Deaf Faith Fellowship @ World Revival Prayer,” Sarah Phua and Grace Phua

Lesson Three: Disability Throughout the World

“When Disability Strikes,” Renée Bondi

“Hope for the Global Disability Community,” Rev. Steve Bundy

“Ignoring God’s Children,” Clay Boatright

Lesson Four: Biomedical Issues and Disability

“The Gift of People with Down Syndrome,” Stephanie Hubach

“The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons with Profound Intellectual Disabilities,” Devan Stahl and John F. Kilner

“The Third Sermon in Defiance of the Nazis,” Bishop von Galen

“A Biblical View on the Sanctity of Life,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Abortion Policy Brief,” The Christian Institute on Disability

“Dignity, Disability, and Bioethics,” D. Christopher Ralston

“Bioethics Past, Present and Future: Important Signposts in Human Dignity,” Dr. Michael J. Sleasman

“Questions People Ask,” Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel M. de S. Cameron

“Disability, Calling, and ‘A Kind of Life Imposed on Man'”, Dr. Rick Langer

“Prenatal Genetic Testing & Disability,” Dr. Kathy McReynolds

“From Whence Come Rights?”, Dr. Kathy McReynolds

Module Two: A Theology of Disability and Suffering

Lesson Five: Disability in the Bible

“Toward a Christian Model of Disability: The Bible is for All People,” Jeff McNair and Ben Rhodes

“Kings and Queens on Mission: The Image of God in God’s Plan for Disability,” Dr. David Deuel and Dr. Nathan Grills

“Signs and Wonders: Disabilities in the Fourth Gospel,” Ben Rhodes

“God’s Story of Disability: The Unfolding Plan from Genesis to Revelation,” Dr. David Deuel

Lesson Six: God’s Sovereignty and the Why Question

“The Problem of Evil and Suffering,” Larry Waters

“Disability and Biblical Weakness,” Dr. Dave Deuel

“According to His Compassion,” John MacArthur

“Worldview Analysis of Suffering and Disability: Six Perspectives,” Chuck Edwards

“Why Christian Doctrine Matters,” Dr. Kathy McReynolds

“Christianity: A Knowledge Tradition,” Dr. Kathy McReynolds

Lesson Seven: God’s Sovereignty in Disability and Suffering

“The Constant Distraction: Living with Chronic Pain,” Michael J. Easley

“A Legacy of Prayer,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Praying in the Face of Pain,” David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson

“Kingdom Matters in Disability,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Trading Control for God’s Grace,” Doug Mazza

Lesson Eight: Toward a Hopeful View of Healing

“Hope is the Best of Things,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Does My Child Need to be Healed? A Father’s Reflections,” Rev. Steve Bundy

“Social Healing: Cultural Change as Alternative to the Devaluation of Persons with Disabilities,” Jeff McNair and Ben Rhodes

Module Three: The Church and Disability Ministry

Lesson Nine: Developing a Healthy Disability Ministry

“Major Challenges of the Church on the Path to Maturity,” Dr. Michael S. Beates

“The Koinonia Inclusion Network: A Singapore Case Study of Enabling Churches to Include and Disciple People with Disability,” Janice Ho and Wen-Pin Leow

“‘Social Ramps: The Principles of Universal Design Applied to the Social Environment,'” Jeff McNair and Bryan McKinney

“Modeling Early Church Ministry Movements,” Rev. Steve Bundy

“Love, Life and Worldview,” Chuck Colson

“All Things Possible: Calling Your Church Leaders to Embrace Disability Ministry,” Stephanie O. Hubach

“Beyond Sunday Mornings: Creating a Truly Inclusionary Culture,” Jackie Mills-Fernald

Lesson Ten: Serving Diverse Families in your Church

“Ministering to Teens with Special Needs,” Julie M. Keith

“Ministering to Adults and the Elderly with Disabilities,” Dr. Jim Pierson

“Faith Formation for Adults with Disabilities,” Jeff and Kathi McNair

“A Seat at the Table: Facilitating a Bible Study for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities,” Payton Miller

“Marriage with a Disability,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Caregiving: A Cause for Christ,” Ken Tada

“A Parent’s Journey from Weakness,” Jon Ebersole

“Dealing with the Emotions of Those with Special Needs,” Dr. Mark W. Baker

“Outreach and In-Reach to Families Affected by Disabilities: Ministering through Family Groups,” Dr. David Deuel

“Tips for Teaching ‘Can-Do’ Kids,” Pat Verbal

Lesson Eleven: Discipleship and Disciple-Making

“How to be a Loving Friend to those Affected by Disability,” Mark W. Baker

“Receiving the Leadership Gifts of People Living with Disability,” Chantal Huinink

“A True Friend Identifies,” Joni Eareckson Tada

“Paul the Leper and Olive the Servant,” Dr. David Deuel

“Exciting Ways to Employ the Spiritual Gifts of People with Disabilities,” Connie Hutchinson

“Successful Teaching for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities,” Linda Smith

Lesson Twelve: Disability Advocacy in Everyday Life

“Networking with Disability Ministries and Organizations: The Power and Witness of Seeking, Consulting and Collaborating,” Rev. William Gaventa

“What Do We Do Now?,” Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel M. de S. Cameron

“Advocacy: Lessons Learned from a Young Slave Girl,” Joel Luc Raveloharimisy, Ave Altius, and Angy Plata

“Challenging the IEP for my Daughter with Down Syndrome,” Lori Lucore

If you would like to complete Beyond Suffering for a Certificate of Completion, please consider enrolling in our online Beyond Suffering course.

Do you have questions?

For more information about the Beyond Suffering text or course, please get in touch with us.