Overview
GriefShare is for men and women grieving the death of a family member or friend. We understand that there are other losses in life that create feelings of grief. You might be experiencing a job loss, a divorce, estrangement from a child, or the loss of friends because of a move. This grief is real, but it is not the kind of grief discussed in GriefShare sessions. We encourage you to ask a pastor, counselor, or church leader for help in finding resources that will be of specific help in your situation.
You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. Each is “self-contained,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. You will be able to continue with GriefShare through the next 13-week cycle and view any of the videos you have not seen.
If you would like to be added to the waitlist to join our Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 GriefShare or if are looking to find a group now, please click the appropriate button below:
Weekly Session Topics
Each week your group will watch a video seminar on DVD. The GriefShare videos cover topics essential to your recovery from the hurt of grief and loss. The videos are produced in a compelling television magazine format and feature interviews with grief recovery experts, mini-dramas, on-location video, and real-life stories of people who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Here is a snapshot of key themes found in each of the 13 GriefShare session videos.
1. Is This Normal?
You’ll discover why your grief experience is harder than you imagined, why the intensity and duration of your emotions are normal and appropriate, and despite how you feel right now, there is reason for hope.
2. Challenges of Grief
You’ll learn more eye-opening reasons why your pain is so overwhelming, some of the overlooked, yet common, effects grief has on your mind, body, and spirit, and how to get things done when you don’t feel like you have any energy.
3. The Journey of Grief – Part One
You’ll learn helpful goals to set on your journey of grief, how to deal with those who try to rush you through your grief and how long the journey of grief typically lasts.
4. The Journey of Grief – Part Two
You’ll learn why it’s important to put effort into your healing, how the events surrounding your loved one’s death affect your grief, the best ways to deal with your loved one’s belongings.
5. Grief and Your Relationships
You’ll find out how the death of a loved one affects your friendships, why solitude can be a blessing and a curse, how to deal with friends who don’t understand your grief.
6. Why?
This session demonstrates that God wants you to share your feelings with Him, why being honest with God is an expression of faith, what God has to say to you about your “why” questions.
7. Guilt and Anger
You’ll learn how to deal with false guilt, how to grieve conflicted relationships, how to handle grief-related anger.
8. Complicating Factors
You’ll begin to see how traumatic experiences affect grief, how to deal with nightmares and flashbacks, how your thinking affects your emotions.
9. Stuck
You’ll discover how to prevent getting stuck in grief, common misconceptions that hinder healing, why your path to healing isn’t always smooth.
10. Lessons of Grief – Part One
You’ll become aware of an often-overlooked reason that grief is so painful, why going to church can be so difficult, the benefits of helping others.
11. Lessons of Grief – Part Two
This session provides a more complete picture of who you are now that your loved one is gone, why no one grieves perfectly, what grief can teach you about relationships.
12. Heaven
Session 12 answers questions about heaven and the afterlife, such as what heaven is like, whether you should communicate with your deceased loved one, whether near-death experiences are reliable descriptions of heaven and many more
13. What Do I Live for Now?
You’ll learn why moving forward is a necessity, why it’s a process, why peace and pain will always coexist.
Meet Our Team
Brent
Care Pastor
Heidi
Connecting Director & Serve Coordinator