Comfort Those Who Mourn
When we think about comforting those who mourn, we typically think about those who have lost someone in death. However, the action of mourning can indicate any number of losses—the loss of a job or the dissolution of a relationship. We also mourn as communities, especially following community, and worldwide events such as war, natural disasters, and mass shootings. In the Bible, we find texts of loss and grief, as well as words of comfort, healing, and presence. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we learn that the power of death cannot overcome the power of life (John 20:1–18). This is our profound belief—nothing will separate us from God’s love—and we share that belief with one another.
In this unit, participants will learn that as we nurture our own ability to comfort others, it is equally important to be in touch with how we grieve ourselves. We all mourn at times and need others to console us and accompany us as we recover. Through the practice of comforting one another, community bonds are strengthened and those who suffer are restored. The four dimensions of the practice that are discussed in this unit include: show up for those who mourn, name loss, and receive God’s comfort, comfort others, and share God’s promises.
Adult Leader's Guide
This leader’s guide uses the Adult Reflection Guide to lead a small group study on the practice. This guide contains a summary of the practice and the four (or six) sessions, background information on the Bible study for the session, and any preparation the leader may need to do ahead of the session. There are different options of activities and discussions to choose from throughout the session. Participants are asked to read through the Adult Reflection Guide, if possible, before each session. There are other great resources for adults in the Congregational Guide.
Featured in the Adult Leader’s Guide:
Show Up (Job 2:11–13)
Name Loss And Receive God’s Comfort (Isaiah 43:1b–2)
Comfort Others (Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:1–2)
Share God’s Promises (Romans 8:38–39; Philippians 4:4–7)
Series Description
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living is a twenty-seven-unit curriculum based on practices Jesus did and taught us to do as faithful followers. Written for people of all ages who wish to live out their faith, this new curriculum examines where these practices are found in the Bible and how they have been used in Christian faith then and now.
