Homepage / Academy Catalog / God and Grief and Loss: Turning on the Light
God and Grief and Loss: Turning on the Light
Navigate grief with God’s love as your compass.
About this Course
God and Grief and Loss: Turning on the Light is designed to invite you to explore the intersection of grief, faith, and healing.
What you’ll learn:
Loss casts a long shadow, and whenever we stumble through the maze of grief, we all search for a guiding light.
Whether you or someone you minister to has experienced a significant loss, difficult questions are sure to follow: Is God there? Does God truly care? How might I connect with God’s healing presence? What does faith even look like in the middle of grief and crisis?
God and Grief and Loss invites you to explore the intersection of grief, faith, and healing. Gently guided by Michele Bryant Powell, a counselor and Christian whose insights are shaped by personal experience and professional expertise, this on-demand course bridges the gap between theological insights and daily practices for navigating grief.
Gain a deeper understanding of personal loss through the lens of scripture and Jesus’ life so that you can find hope for yourself—or be equipped to support others with a sensitive, faithful framework for healing and care.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
Beginning to Unpack Grief
In this module you will:
- Define grief.
- Consider the grief of Jesus.
- Be encouraged to start this healing journey for yourself or with someone else.
Unpacking the First Three Stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining
In this module you will:
- Understand the first three stages of grief.
- Consider how you or someone you know has experienced these stages.
- Draw closer to Jesus as one acquainted with grief.
Unpacking the Last Three Stages: Depression, Acceptance, and Finding Meaning
In this module you will:
- Understand the last three stages of grief.
- Consider how you or someone you know has experienced these stages.
- Draw closer to Jesus as one acquainted with grief.
What Do I Do With These Feelings?
In this module you will:
- Learn strategies for recognizing and accepting your emotions.
- Practice identifying and responding to your emotions.
- Increase your trust that God is present even in overwhelming situations.
Tears and Fears: Coping with Grief-Related Anxiety and Depression
In this module you will:
- Understand characteristics of anxiety and depression.
- Consider your own status of personal grief and anxiety.
- Develop coping skills for dealing with grief-related anxiety and depression.
- Explore scripture meditation as a particular coping strategy.
Guilt and Forgiveness
In this module you will:
- Learn how guilt and forgiveness relate to grief.
- Become more aware of God's love and forgiveness.
- Practice a forgiveness strategy.
Preparing for Hard Days
In this module you will:
- Identify days of remembrance and holidays.
- Learn to expect intensified grief that feels like a setback.
- Practice coping skills for difficult days.
- Create a support plan.
Find the Meaning and Carry the Flame
In this module you will:
- Learn strategies for finding meaning in grief.
- Consider the ways in which you might minister to others with your story.
- Increase your trust in the God who comforts.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
10 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Michele Bryant Powell
Author, "Fifteen Minutes of Unpacking Grief"
Michele is no stranger to grief after losing both of her parents and most recently her husband to terminal illnesses. With more than 25 years of experience in the areas of pastoral care counseling, support group facilitation, leadership training, and development and rehabilitation counseling, Michele values supporting others as they journey through the unique challenges of life. She is the author of, “15 Minutes of Unpacking Our Grief,” which is a daily journal of her conversations with the Lord after losing her husband to stage IV cancer. The book chronicles her grief journey as she transparently unpacks and processes through her pain. In addition to being an author, Michele is a Grief Conversationalist who provides safe spaces to talk about grief through her faith blog, “Sitting with the Lord” and her Facebook page, “Grieftalk with Michele.” She also hosts Grieftalk forums and has several 15 Minutes of Unpacking Our Grief video blogs where she shares how she has coped on her grief journey. She is amazed at how God continues to bless her life after such great loss. She enjoys down time at home in North Carolina. She often posts videos of her furbabies, Queenie and Twinkle Bell, who have their own social media following. Michele always says that her dogs have the “gift of presence” as she navigates her own grief.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
Enroll in this on-demand course
$55
One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
Popular
Access this on-demand course
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
Need financial support?
Check out the latest released courses
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!