Loss Curriculum

David defines “loss,” showing its connection to the human experience and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He discusses two life trajectories in the face of loss: life is pointless and you are alone in your losses, or life is moving toward an indestructible hope even in the face of your losses.

Alasdair shows how the psalmists engage God in the midst of their losses: they speak to God, they listen to God, they accept, and they obey. This pattern captures what Jesus himself did when he faced his own death.

Mike discusses God’s intent to patiently transform our losses and sorrows so that we might be conduits of comfort to one another. Jesus is central to the comfort we receive and give. We partner with him as we walk alongside others in their sorrows and losses.

Winston discusses how loss and suffering are central to our identity as God’s children. When we are joined with Christ, we are united with him in his suffering. Yet when Jesus faced profound loss he also felt profound loss, and even as he felt profound loss he experienced hope in God.

Aaron introduces us to Thomas Boston, a 17^th century pastor who experienced profound losses in his life. As a pastor and disciple of Jesus Christ, Boston models honest yet steadfast faith in the face of many losses and afflictions. Heartfelt worship, humility and honest crying out to the Lord taught Boston how to live in the face of his losses.

Ed discusses how Jesus’ master story of life conquering death rescripts the Apostle Paul’s story of life and losses (Galatians 2:20). We ought to ask ourselves, “How can our stories of loss be increasingly shaped and taken over by the story of Christ?”