The Basics of Christian Grief Counseling
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Topic outline
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The Basics of Christian Grief Counseling
by Christian Chaplains & Coaching
This course will teach the basics of Christian Counseling and Grief Care for Chaplains, Pastors, volunteers, lay volunteers, and spiritual care providers. This is written from a Biblical Christian perspective. The material is presented within an unapologetically Christian worldview. It is suitable for anyone wanting to learn a Biblical approach to grief care. It would be an excellent course for your church to consider using to train volunteers who may like to become part of a Compassionate Care ministry. Those who enroll in the full course through Christian Chaplaincy and Coaching will receive 25 hours of continuing education and a “Certificate in Christian Counseling for Grief.”
Enroll in the full course here: https://christianchaplains.org/chaplains-academy/christian-counseling-for-grief
Course Outcomes:
To develop a basic understanding of what grief is, different types of grief, and the emotions experienced by one who is grieving any kind of loss. To provide a basic theology for Christian counseling. Develop an emphasis on relationships as a priority. Recognize the most important tool you have is yourself. Learn that you cannot fix anyone, only God can do that, but you can recognize responsibility and accountability. Understand the relationship between religion and counseling, from a biblical worldview. Recognize and understand the seven key characteristics that makes a counselor Christian. Learn to help others to be rooted in reality. Identify the normal and natural defense mechanisms that people will use when they are in a state of denial. Learn the difference between lamenting and grumbling. To lament is biblical. Finally, to know when to refer a person to a more highly trained professional. Don’t get in over your head or outside your lane.
Forums:Post in each of the forums. Replying to others' posts is encouraged as well.
Quiz:
After you have viewed all of the material and posted your reflections in the forums, there is a feedback quiz. The quiz will help us evaluate the effectiveness of the mini-course.
About our partnership with Christian Chaplains & Coaching
CLI and Christian Chaplains & Coaching (CC&C) have partnered together to create an opportunity for students interested in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This collaboration is designed to enrich students' academic options and provide a path to gain practical experience and academic credit in pastoral education. Learn more here. -
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Reflection Questions:
- Are you called to Christian counseling beyond just your Christian responsibility? If so, which of the four signs mentioned by Professor Kirkland have you experienced?
- How does viewing grief as a process rather than a single event change your approach to caring for those experiencing it?
- What did you observe reading Exodus 18:5-27? How can you apply these observations to your work in counseling/ministry?
- Which of the 10 components of the theology of counseling align with your strengths? Which of the components would you struggle with? How can you improve in these areas?
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- What did you observe reading Acts 2:42-47? How do your observations connect to prioritizing relationships as a part of Christian counseling?
- Make a plan of how you will evaluate yourself as you counsel others. Share the key features of it here. What will action - reflection look like for you in your ministry?
- Reflect on each of the seven characteristics of a Christian Counselor. Share how you will commit to growing in 2 or 3 characteristics.
- Pick one of the three aspects of reality therapy outlined by Professor Kirkland, and reflect on a time you employed it well in your ministry. What can be learned from this? Also, reflect on a time that you executed it poorly. What can be learned from that experience?
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- How do you think leading with relationship vs. leading with correction helps someone using defense mechanisms? If you have one, share an example of this in your life.
- In your own words, why is lamenting biblically important as a Christian, and in the case of this course, as a Christian grief counselor?
- Reflect on a time when you experienced grief and its stages. Which stage stands out to you? What was something someone did that helped you through one or some of the stages? How can these reflections be applied as you grow in your Christian grief counseling skills?
- What are the dangers of counseling someone in an area that is outside of your expertise? Reflect on what some of your emotional barriers might be and how you can avoid countertransference.
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These books are required if you enroll in the full course.
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Want to dive deeper into this content? Take the full course - Learn more and enroll here.
Interested in other mini-courses provided by Christian Chaplains and Coaching? Check out Overview of Clinical Pastoral Education or The Foundations of Christian Ministry to the Incarcerated.
Have you checked out CLI's Chaplaincy degree? Click here.