GriefShare

How GriefShare works

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you've lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you‘ve probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.

That’s the reason for GriefShare, a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. This group is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time.

Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos also include on-location settings and the real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like yours.

After viewing the video, you’ll participate in a small group discussion about what you’ve seen on the tape. You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with others who have experienced a recent loss, learn about their experiences and have the opportunity to share your own.

GriefShare is a non-denominational group and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. Please feel welcome to join a group near you. You'll be glad you did!

You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any point during the 13-week session. Each is “self-contained,” so that 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 session and to view any of the videos you have not seen.
 

The GriefShare video seminars

Your GriefShare group will begin each session by viewing a special seminar video designed to provide you with the information you need on your journey to healing.
These intereresting-to-watch videos feature interviews with top experts on grief recovery subjects, profiles of people who are experiencing grief and on-location settings.

These seminars contain practical and encouraging information to help you heal from the hurt of your loss

• When Your Dreams Fall Apart
• Seasons Of Grief
• Emotions Of Grief (1)
• Emotions Of Grief (2)
• When Your Spouse Dies
• Your Family And Grief
• Where Is God?
• Your Greatest Resource
• Stuck In Grief Or Moving On
• Growing Through Grief
• Grief Recovery Toolkit
• God’s Spiritual Hospital
• Longing for Heaven

Each GriefShare video session is designed to help you recover from your grief after the loss of a family member, friend or acquaintance. Each GriefShare session combines practical information with a biblical, Christ-centered focus on the spiritual issues which accompany the grieving process:

SESSION 1- When Your Dreams Fall Apart
An overview of the GriefShare program; the first steps to understanding your
grief and the losses which accompany it; sharing your hurt with others.

SESSION 2- Seasons Of Grief
What to expect during your "season" of grief; how grief can "ambush" you; how men and women respond differently to grief issues.

SESSION 3- Emotions Of Grief (1)
Facing the flood of emotions which accompany grief; examining shock, anger, denial, blame and regret; feeling out of control and helpless; avoiding self-destructive solutions to easing the pain.

SESSION 4- Emotions Of Grief (2)
Avoiding emotional ruts; avoiding traps of self-pity, fear of the future and bitterness; discovering the freedom of forgiveness.

SESSION 5- When Your Spouse Dies
Why the death of a spouse is unique and an especially deep loss; how to respond when you feel like you've "lost your identity;" how to deal with feelings that you will "never feel normal again;" discovering how the Lord can fill the gap left by your mate's death.

SESSION 6- Your Family And Grief
Coping with the loss of a child or parent; the stresses such a death can bring to a family; coping with suicide; how to help children grieve.

SESSION 7- Where Is God?
Why did God allow this death to happen?; what do I do with unanswerable questions confronting me?; how to trust God and grow closer to Him even when you don't have all the answers.

SESSION 8- Your Greatest Resource
How to draw upon your relationship with Christ for strength as you face grief; how to find Christ if you've never known Him; how He can guide and comfort you through this difficult time in a way nobody else can.

SESSION 9- Stuck In Grief Or Moving On
Understanding false guilt; identifying hidden grief; confronting actions and attitudes which cause you to become "stuck;" steps you can take to move forward through the grieving process.

SESSION 10- Growing Through Grief
Becoming "bitter or better" through your grief experience; experiencing unparalleled spiritual growth; reaching out to others to help them in their time of grief.

SESSION 11- Grief Recovery Toolkit
Claiming God's joy and hope for the future in your life; using practical tools such as a journal, conversations with friends, helping others, prayer, Bible study and praise to assist you in recovering from your grief.

SESSION 12- God’s Spiritual Hospital
This important session shows how the church can serve as “extended family” and assist you in the healing process. You will also see how to use your own experiences in ministry to others.

SESSION 13- Longing for Heaven
Can a person really recover from the hurt and pain that comes during the grieving process? Will there ever be a time when all sorrow and pain are gone forever? This final session is filled with good news as you see how one day the Lord will wipe away every tear and there will be no more sorrow or pain.

GriefShare Experts

The experts featured on the GriefShare seminar videos are highly respected authors, counselors, pastors and speakers. They have a special understanding of the issues that accompany grieving and the process for rebuilding your life. Here is more information about each:

Dr. Robert Abarno

Dr. Abarno is a Christian teacher, author and counselor. A clinical psychologist, he is the founder of Christ Centered Development, a tutorial teaching and equipping ministry in Raleigh, NC.

Kay Arthur

Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries in Chattanooga, TN is a Bible teacher, author of more than 30 books, radio and TV hostess and the principle spokesperson for the International Inductive Study Bible.
www.precept.org

Dr. Richard Bewes

Dr. Bewes, a son of English missionaries in East Africa, has been Rector of All Souls Church in London, England since 1983. He is a well know speaker traveling to many continents.
www.allsouls.org

Dee Brestin

Dee is a conference speaker and author of many Bible study guides for women. She and her husband are parents of five children, two who were adopted as older children from overseas orphanages.

Dr. Bill Bright

Dr. Bright is the founder and president of Campus Crusade for Christ. For over 50 years, he and his wife, Vonette, and his fellow staffers throughout the world, have dedicated their lives to helping people find new life and hope through a relationship with Christ. www.ccci.org

Rev. Buck Buchannan

Rev. Buchannan has been in ministry for 37 years, serving as a Senior Pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America. For the past 14 years he has served as Associate Pastor of Care and Concerns Ministries at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, CA.
www.fefcful.org

Rev. Noel Castellanos

Rev. Castellanos is the Senior Pastor and founder of La Villita Community Church, a bilingual, multiethnic church in Chicago. He also established the Neighbors Against Gang Violence, a community-wide organization.

Dr. Tim Clinton

Dr. Clinton is the President of the American Association of Christian Counselors. This organization exists to encourage excellence in Christian counseling.
www.aacc.net

Dr. Jim Conway

Dr. Conway served as a pastor for almost 30 years and then was director of the Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor at Talbot School of Theology. Currently he is the President of Midlife Dimensions.
www.midlife.com

Rev. John Coulombe

Pastor Coulombe serves as Pastor to Adults over 50 at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, CA, where he has ministered for the past 10 years.
www.fefcful.org

Dr. Larry Crabb

Dr. Crabb is a well-known conference/seminar speaker, Bible teacher and popular author. He currently is Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Colorado Christian University. Dr. Crabb is the founder and president of the Institute for Biblical Community.
www.gospelcom.net/ibc

Elisabeth Elliot

Born of missionary parents in Brussels, Belgium, Mrs. Elliot served as a missionary in Ecuador where her husband, Jim Elliot, was killed by the Auca Indians in 1956. Since her return to the U.S. in 1963 she has been writing and speaking. Her daily broadcast, Gateway to Joy, is now heard on more than 250 stations.
www.gospelcom.net/bttb/listen/gwtj

Rev. Clay Evans

Rev. Evans was ordained as a minister in 1950. He has been the pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago for over 42 years and has a weekly radio and television broadcast. He has been a featured soloist on numerous albums along with the 250 voice choir at his church.

Jim Grassi

Jim Grassi is an international fishing instructor and served as a public administrator for 20 years. Through his ministry, Let’s Go Fishing, he reaches people with the Gospel in unique ways.
www.efcwc.org/lgs

Pastor Jack Hayford

Dr. Jack Hayford is the Senior Pastor of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, CA. He has authored more than two dozen books and has written over 500 songs.
www.tcotw.org

Dr. E.V. Hill

Dr. E.V. Hill is recognized as one of the greatest preachers in the world today. He has been the Pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles for over 35 years and has been preaching for over 46 years.

Dr. Thomas Ice

Dr. Ice is Executive Director of The Pre-Trib Research Center in Washington, DC. He has co-authored 20 books and is a frequent conference speaker.

Dr. Robert Jeffress

Dr. Robert Jeffress pastors the 8,000 member First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, Texas. In addition, Dr. Jeffress has authored several books and is host of the internationally-broadcast television program Pathway To Victory. www.fbcwf.org

Barbara Johnson

Humorist and author Barbara Johnson has lost two sons and is involved in grief ministry. A humorous writer and speaker, Barbara also heads Spatula Ministries in La Habra, CA.

Anne Graham Lotz

Anne Graham Lotz is the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham and President of AnGeL Ministries, which provides a ministry of biblical exposition through Anne's speaking, tapes and books. www.christianity.net/angel

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer

Dr. Lutzer is the Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, the author of numerous books and the featured speaker on three radio programs heard on Christian radio stations nationwide: "The Moody Church Hour," "Songs in the Night" and "Running to Win."
www.moodychurch.org

Bruce Marchiano

Bruce is a professional actor who had the privilege of portraying Jesus in the Visual Bible film production, "The Gospel of Matthew." Known for his joyous and passionate portrayal of the Savior, Bruce now travels the world sharing his experiences as an actor portraying Jesus. Marchiano Ministries • 818-843-5772
www.VisualBible.com

Cindy Morgan

Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan is recipient of the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 1993 and numerous other music awards.
www.wordrecords.com/morgan

Dr. David Olford

Dr. Olford is president of Encounter Ministries in Memphis, TN and director of studies at the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching.
www.gospelcom.net/olford

Dr. Luis Palau

Dr. Palau is an international evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of millions of people through radio and television broadcasts in ninety-five countries and face-to-face to twelve million people in sixty-three nations. He is the author of several books on spirituality and the Christian life.
www.gospelcom.net/lpea

Janet Paschal

Janet, a talented singer and songwriter, has appeared with Billy Graham and President Bush and has toured with Bill and Gloria Gaither. Since 1992, Janet has become the official spokesperson of the Mission of Mercy, an international Christian relief organization. She has received Grammy nominations and is a popular conference speaker and frequent guest on Christian radio and TV talk shows.
www.janetpaschal.com

Dr. Norman Peart

Dr. Peart is the founder and pastor of Grace Bible Fellowship, a nondenominational, multiracial church in Cary, NC. He is also a professor at the University of North Carolina and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Ray Pritchard

Dr. Pritchard is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL. He is also an author, conference speaker, and frequent guest on Christian radio and TV talk shows. www.cmcop.org

Dr. Joseph M. Stowell

After pastoring churches for sixteen years, Dr. Stowell became the seventh president of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in 1987. As president, he oversees the entire scope of Moody Bible Institute’s ministries including education, broadcasting, publishing and video production. He can be heard on the radio Monday through Friday on Moody’s Proclaim! broadcast.
www.moody.edu

Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni is an author, artist, broadcaster and founder and President of JAF (Joni and Friends) Ministries. Her books and worldwide ministry reflect her experience of God’s love and grace since becoming a quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident 31 years ago.
www.jafministries.com

Dr. Stephen Tong

A native of Fukien, China, Dr. Tong makes his home in Jacarta, Indonesia where he is founder and president of Reformed Evangelical Seminary. Dr. Tong is an expert is philosophy and theology. www.stemi.org

Dr. John Trent

Dr. John Trent is a nationally recognized author, speaker and President of Encouraging Words, a ministry dedicated to strengthening relationships worldwide.
www.encouragingwords.com

H. Norman Wright

H. Norman Wright is a licensed marriage, family and child therapist, and is the author of more than fifty books. He raises golden retrievers and spends as much time as possible fishing for trout and northern pike.