Grab one of these books and help a friend deal with the death of someone they love. These are available now in the Koinos Resource Center. Links are posted below.
Few things compel us to care for a friend more than seeing them wrestle with grief caused by death. When anyone faces the death of a family member or close friend you can expect there is going to be sadness. But sometimes what isn’t expected is the battle with troubling thoughts. This is where you can step in with true kindness and show the grace of God to that grieving friend. You probably know somebody right now going through this. Why not pick up one of these books at the Koinos Resource Center, read it, and learn better how to care for your friend?
This Sunday at Koinos, the sermon will focus on this very thing. Death and dying raise some huge questions in our minds, not to mention the sadness it brings. Few people are willing to just sit down and listen to someone wrestling with these things. Maybe that’s why so few people open up and talk. You’ve got to admit, it is uncomfortable to talk about death and grief. But for those who know Jesus well it doesn’t need to be so hard. Maybe one of these books will help you with these things.
In these books you’ll discover really good insights on questions like these. “Why does it hurt so much when I lose someone?” “Is it wrong for me to be relieved when the one who is suffering dies?” “Is it bad for someone to say they want death to come sooner?” “What happens when a person dies?” “Where do they go?” “Do we become angels when we die?”
The most comforting thing in the world is for a person to hear what God says about all these things. And it can make a world of difference for a grieving person to hear words like these. “Feeling deep sadness over death does not mean you are a weak person.” “We are supposed to feel sad over death because death is bad.” “It’s not supposed to be this way.” “It’s ok if you express your sadness in the same way others do.”
Here’s a suggestion. Think of your friend who is grieving over the death of someone they love. Take them out to coffee or lunch and tell them you want to hear all about how they are doing and what they’re thinking. And then, just listen. Let them talk. If you don’t have any answers for them don’t try to give any. Just reassure them that you care about them and that you have some of the same questions. Make sure they know they’re not going through this alone. And if you know how the Bible answers any of their questions, humbly tell them. And pray for God to give them His peace.
Safe In The Arms of God by John MacArthur (on the death of a child)
Surprised By Suffering by R.C. Sproul
Comfort For The Grieving by Paul Tautges
Grief; Finding Hope Again by Paul David Tripp
