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God and Chronic Illness
Entering into suffering with compassion, clarity, and hope.
About this Course
God and Chronic Illness was designed to equip you with language, theology, and practical tools for walking with others in their health struggles and to help you draw near to God in the long, unglamorous road of chronic illness.
What you’ll learn:
How do we love well and hold onto hope when the uncertainties of sickness make us feel we have no solutions or struggle to see God’s presence in the pain?
If you care for someone who lives with chronic illness, or support those caregivers in turn, then you’re familiar with these questions. And you know as well as anyone: chronic illness doesn’t follow tidy timelines, and it doesn’t offer easy answers.
God and Chronic Illness was designed to equip you with language, theology, and practical tools for walking with others in their health struggles and to help you draw near to God in the long, unglamorous road of chronic illness. Throughout the course you'll hear firsthand from those in the medical field, as well as those who are navigating day-do-day challenges, inviting you into a deeper and wider understanding of diverse experiences outside your own. Along the way, this course offers spiritual grounding so you can enter into suffering without fear, listen deeply, love wisely, and encounter God even in these painful, uncertain places.
Modules
Foundations
In this module you will:
- Develop a definition of the fullness of life for engaging with chronic illness.
- Examine your faithful questions about this topic.
- Set goals for your course experience.
Theological Perspectives
In this module you will:
- Understand theological and historical influences on how we think about chronic illness.
- Rest in God’s presence even as you consider theological perspectives.
- Apply a theological lens to a real-life situation.
Integrating the Theological and the Clinical
In this module you will:
- Build your understanding of theological perspectives around chronic illness.
- Grow trust through examining scripture.
- Develop a sound framework for considering the essential questions of this topic.
Engaging with Alzheimer’s: Dave and Chrys
In this module you will:
- Learn about Alzheimer’s disease as an example of a common chronic illness.
- Develop your capacity for uncertainty.
- Apply your learning to a situation in your context.
Engaging with Clinical Care
In this module you will:
- Consider the experiences of those who provide clinical care.
- Develop empathy and compassion.
- Consider ways to build your care skills.
Moving Forward With Your Learning
In this module you will:
- Understand the connections and systems related to chronic illness.
- Develop a posture of listening.
- Create a plan for taking your learning into your world.
One-time purchase
$55
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- Modules:
8 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Ridgeway Addison
Senior Learning Designer, Humana and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgetown University, School of Nursing
The Rev. Dr. Ridgeway Addison is the senior learning designer at Humana and an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University’s School of Nursing. He served as a protestant chaplain at Georgetown University from 2000-2012. He is a graduate of the Catholic University of America, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Religious Studies.
As a digital learning consultant for 2U/edX, he co-led learning design and stakeholder management for partner programs in business, communications, finance, engineering, entrepreneurship, and data analysis. He designed and led over 300 training and professional development events for VIP educational clients and cross-functional client-facing team members.
At Georgetown University, he works closely with student life and academic services departments and student groups to integrate spirituality into campus-wide support services. He served as chaplain and pedagogical consultant to medical school and nursing faculty and students during clinical training and professional development programs. He enjoys middle-distance running, tennis, black coffee, time in nature on his own and with family and friends.
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One-time purchase
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- Access the course workbook for individual study
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- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
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- Access all leaders guides for group study
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at faithlead@luthersem.edu for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!