Module 4 – Processing Grief & Church Hurt

Lesson 4.1 – Understanding Grief & Loss

Grief is a natural response to loss. It can be emotional, physical, and spiritual. Grief is not limited to death — it can come from broken relationships, lost opportunities, health struggles, or major life changes.

In this lesson, you will learn:

- What grief is and why it affects everyone differently

- The emotional and physical signs of grief

- The common stages of grief (and why they are not linear)

- The importance of giving yourself permission to feel

Reflection Exercise:

- Write about a loss that still affects you today.

- What emotions come up when you think about it? Allow yourself to name them without judgment.

Optional Resources:

- Video: “Understanding Grief & Loss” [insert link or video block]

- PDF: Grief Reflection Journal [insert file]

Lesson 4.2 – Healing from Church Hurt

Church hurt and spiritual trauma occur when individuals experience harm, betrayal, or misuse of authority within a spiritual community. These wounds can deeply affect trust, identity, and faith.

In this lesson, you will learn:

- What church hurt/spiritual trauma is

- How spiritual authority can be misused

- Common emotional and spiritual responses to betrayal

- Steps toward healing and reclaiming your own spiritual identity

Reflection Exercise:

- Reflect on a moment when you felt spiritually dismissed, shamed, or harmed.

- What beliefs about yourself or God came from that experience? Are they truly yours?

Optional Resources:

- Video: “Healing from Spiritual Trauma” [insert link or video block]

- PDF: Reclaiming Your Spiritual Identity Worksheet [insert file]