About the Seminar
“We live in a grief illiterate society.”
Truer words were never spoken. Though human beings have been dying from time immemorial, many people (including Christians) do not know how to grieve well. Grief is more than unpleasant; it’s messy. Grief is more than foreign; it’s counter-intuitive. Grief is more than probable; it’s inevitable. Do you know what the Bible has to say about grief? Have you prepared yourself to grieve, and to do so well when your time comes?
LIFE IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH is a seminar on grief and grieving to the glory of God. Over three sessions, Michael Whitworth discusses what the Bible has to say about the grief journey, how to appropriately weep with those that weep, and how to deal with unconventional losses.
Testimonials
“The church always talks about our obligation to bear each other’s burdens, but it hardly ever equips us to do it. This seminar not only provides a valuable perspective into tragedy and grief but also a hands-on, practical guide to helping others struggle through their difficult times.”
— Allen Tackett, Ooltewah Church of Christ
“This seminar goes WAY beyond just helping you heal after you’ve lost a loved one! Grief is something that has touched us all in so many respects throughout our lives. You may be grieving and not even realize it until you’re sitting in one of Michael’s classes and find yourself identifying with what he’s saying. The seminar is both deeply theological and incredibly practical. Michael uses his own grief to help others walk in a more authentic and faithful way through their own. It’s like a counseling session for your entire congregation. Make sure you put this seminar on your calendar ASAP!”
— Chris French, Rome Church of Christ
About the Sessions
Session 1: The Bible & Grief. Discusses the five stages of grief and how they are reflected in Scripture. Emphasis is placed on explaining the emotions of grief, how that everyone grieves differently, that God created us to feel this emotions for a reason, and there is no “normal.”
Session 2: Miserable Comforters. Many of us have been guilty of saying something inappropriate to a grieving friend when we were only trying to help. After briefly discussing Job’s three friends, we discuss what you can and can’t say to; can and can’t do to someone who is grieving.
Session 3: I’m Hurting, Too. Some losses are unconventional or not as easily recognized by society. What about miscarriage? The grief that comes from divorce? Job loss? A spiritually-wayward child? Suicide? It’s not often that someone brings a casserole to your door during these difficult times. We’ll discuss how to navigate them ourselves, as well as how to minister to loved ones in those situations.
About the Speaker
MICHAEL WHITWORTH preaches for the Newport Ave Church of Christ in Bend, Oregon. In this seminar, Michael uses the untimely deaths of both his father and son to present a biblical and experiential guide to grief recovery.