Product Overview
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.
Congregational Guide
The Congregational Guide provides materials for the pastor, educator, and church leaders to connect the practice with congregational worship and life.
Included in this guide:
- Foundational Essay—written by a biblical scholar, these essays explore what each practice means and where it is found in the Bible
- Worship Helps—ways of incorporating this practice in worship through liturgy, song, and other suggestions
- Café Discussion Guide—self-guided, brief study for each practice
- Intergenerational Session—option for your church to have an event or explore the practice as a whole congregation together
- Curriculum Connections—information about what each age level is doing weekly
- Practicing the Practice at Home—a two-sided page for families about how to practice the practice at home
- Children’s Worship Leaflets—weekly two-sided page with practice ideas, games, an adapted Bible story, and a coloring picture
In addition to the material in the Adult Leader’s Guide and the Adult Reflection Guide, there are also free videos that leaders can use as conversation starters for the unit and each session. Visit our YouTube Channel, bit.ly/FMYouTubeGFR, to see the playlist for this unit.
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.
To learn more about the curriculum and view a sample of each component, visit our Follow Me webpage or watch the Follow Me trailer on our YouTube channel.