GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. 

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 there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before.

GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:

GriefShare is for people 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.

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
• 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
• 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
• 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

• What is heaven like
• Whether you should communicate with your deceased loved one
• Whether near-death experiences are reliable descriptions of heaven

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