Becoming--Caring Christian Solutions

Dealing with Loss is a four-session study on grief.  Loss includes loss of a job, loss of a marriage, loss of assumptions about life, and other instances of loss.  The loss of a loved one is, of course, the loss generally associated with grief.

Contact Don Mize to schedule a seminar for your group or church.  The study can be done in four sessions on the same day, allowing an hour for each session.  If scheduling can be arranged, a study can be scheduled weekly for four weeks.

An excellent study to help people in your church know how to better minister to people experiencing loss.

Private sessions can be arranged.

Below is an overview of the sessions and a suggested reading list.  The scriptures that will be used in each session are listed on the overview.

The book, The Grief Recovery Handbook by James and Friedman is recommended reading.  Reference will be made to the book in sessions.  The first half of the book deals with false ideas about how to overcome grief while the last half of the book gives specific steps to follow.

Contact us if you have any questions.

A Study in Grief and Healing

Don Mize

Becoming—Caring Christian Solutions

© 2010, Don Mize

Session 1

Understanding Grief

John 19:38-42

Defining Grief

Accepting Grief

Recovering from Grief

Session 2

Preventing Grief Resolution

Job 2:11-13; Job 3:1-3, 24-26; Job 4:1-2; Job 42:7

Discovering Barriers to Healing

Becoming Barriers to Healing

Removing Barriers to Healing

Session 3

Helping Children with Grief

Matthew 19:13-14

Completing Emotional Communication

Recognizing Grief in Children

Helping a Grieving Child

Accepting Listening

Session 4

Helping a Dying Person

Matthew 26:37-45

Being Present

Being Present Emotionally

Being Present Spiritually

Becoming—Caring Christian Solutions

Revised March 12, 2010

I would strongly suggest obtaining a copy of James, John W., and Russell Friedman.  The Grief Recovery Handbook: 20^th Anniversary Expanded Edition: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith.

The first part of the book gives helpful information while the second part leads you to work through grief (and everyone has some unfinished business). 

Suggested Reading List

Adams, Kathleen.  Journal to the Self.  Understanding the benefits of a journal plus helpful suggestions and exercises to help in personal growth.

Baumgardner, Barbara. A Passage Through Grief.  Keeping a journal to help work through grief.

Dunn, Bill, et al.  Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy.  A 365-day devotional book deals with helping one through the year following bereavement.  Sound psychological and biblical insight from numerous Christian leaders.

Hinton, Clara.  Silent Grief: Miscarriage—Finding Your Way Through the Darkness.  Interviews and personal experiences showing that one can function and even return to hope for the future.

*James, John W., and Russell Friedman.  The Grief Recovery Handbook: 20^th Anniversary Expanded Edition: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith.

Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth.  On Death and Dying (1973).  The early book, a classic, from a seminar at the University of Chicago on the implications of terminal illness and those responsible for their care.  Describing how people move through anger and depression to acceptance and peace by talking about the illness.

Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth and David Kessler.  On Grief and Grieving (2007).  Considered a masterpiece, her last gift, a tribute to all who have lost a loved one. 

Lewis, C. S.  A Grief Observed.  A classic.  Written by C.S Lewis after the death of his wife.  Many of his theological answers did not work in the face of the devastating loss.  His struggle and insights.

Rhea, Carolyn. When Grief Is Your Constant Companion.  Prayers expressing feelings and comfort from scripture from a woman after she lost her husband to a heart attack.

Wright, H. Norman, Experiencing Grief.  Written for the person who is in despair following a loss.

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.