Cathedral Baptist offers GriefShare, a Christ-centered grief support ministry for anyone who has lost a loved one. You do not have to walk through this alone. GriefShare is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the weight of loss, and where the church comes alongside you with the Word of God, prayer, and practical help.
How a session works
GriefShare is a 13-week support group hosted by the local church. Each week has three parts. You may join at any point in the cycle. Each session stands on its own, and any week you miss can be picked up the next time the group meets.
- The group watches a video seminar of about thirty minutes, with biblical teaching from pastors and grief counselors and honest stories from people who have walked this road.
- Then the group talks together. No one is forced to speak. You may share as much or as little as you are ready to share.
- Between meetings, a participant workbook gives Scripture, journaling space, and simple exercises so the help does not stop when the session ends.
What GriefShare helps with
Over the thirteen weeks, GriefShare helps with the things grief actually brings. The aim is not to rush you past your loss. The aim is comfort, God’s love, and healing, in the company of people who understand.
- The question “Is this normal?”
- The long journey of sorrow
- Loneliness and sadness
- Fear and feeling overwhelmed
- Anger
- Regrets and the “if onlys”
- Changes at home and in friendships
- Hard questions for God
- The feeling of being stuck
You do not have to carry this alone
Cathedral wants to help you through your grieving process. Loss is not something you have to carry alone. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and He has given the church to weep with those who weep, to bear one another’s burdens, and to comfort one another in the name of Christ.
Grief is real
Scripture does not tell the believer to pretend it is not. Jesus Himself stood at the grave of Lazarus and wept (John 11:35). The Psalms give voice to the crushed in spirit. The church is not called to hurry people past their sorrow, but to sit with them, pray with them, and point them to the God of all comfort.
The Lord is near
- “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
- “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
- “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Healing is meant to happen together
God does not leave His people as isolated sufferers. He places them in a body, and He commands that body to care for its own. Comfort is not optional kindness. It is obedience. That is why a ministry like GriefShare belongs in the church. It is one way we obey the command to comfort one another in time of need.
- “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
The comfort God gives is not meant to stop with us. He comforts us so that we can turn and comfort others.
The church weeps with you
- “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15)
- “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
- “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:26–27)
When one member hurts, the whole body is meant to feel it. Christian fellowship is not only for the easy days. It is the means God has given so that no believer has to walk through the valley alone. We count on one another. We rely on one another. We pray, we listen, we open the Word, and we stay. GriefShare is that kind of fellowship: a weekly place to be known, to be heard, and to be pointed back to Christ.
We sorrow, but not without hope
Grief in this life is temporary. It is heavy, and it is real, but it is not the end of the story for those who are in Christ.
- “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)
- “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)
- “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
The night can feel long. The church is here for the night. And the promise of morning belongs to those who endure in the faith.
Every tear wiped away
When Christ returns, He will wipe away every tear. That is not a vague hope. It is a sure word.
- “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
- “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8)
- “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Promises that still hold
Until that day, the promises of God still hold for those who remain in Christ. He does not forsake the righteous. He keeps those who trust Him. He gives strength for the day, and He will finish what He has begun.
- “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. … Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1, 4)
- “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
- “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
- “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
- “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)
Join us
Endurance is not something we manufacture alone. God supplies it, and He supplies it in the company of His people. Cathedral Baptist wants to be that company for you. Through GriefShare, and through the care of this church, we will sit with you, pray with you, and point you to the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, until the day when Christ Himself wipes away every tear.
If you or someone you love needs that help, call the church office. Ask about the next GriefShare group. You do not have to carry this alone.
