Role Play Scenario: Comforting the Grieving Widow

Setting: John, accompanied by Mary, a co-follow-up minister, visits the grieving widow, Sarah, who lost her husband and has two sons, Tim and Alex. Sarah is sitting in the living room, looking visibly sad and uncertain about her husband's eternal fate.

John: knocks on the door gently Hello, Sarah. It's John from the church, and this is Mary, our co-follow-up minister. How are you holding up?

Sarah: opens the door and smiles weakly Oh, John and 

Mary. Thank you both for coming. It's been hard; we miss him so much. gestures for them to come inside

John: We understand it must be incredibly difficult for you and your boys. Please know that we, as a church community, are here to support you in any way we can. sits down with Mary

Mary: Yes, Sarah. We care deeply about you and your family. We know this is a challenging time, and we want to be here for you.

Sarah: teary-eyed I appreciate that, John and Mary. But I can't help but worry about my husband's eternal fate. I'm not sure if he's in heaven, and it's been weighing heavily on my mind.

John: Sarah, may we share a comforting scripture with you? It's from Psalm 34:18, which says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This verse reminds us that God is near to us during times of grief and sorrow.

Mary: And from Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." We believe that God will bring comfort and healing to your heart in due time.

John: We also want to connect you and your sons with our church's bereavement counselors. They can offer support and guidance during this difficult period, especially for Tim and Alex as they cope with their emotions.

Mary: Yes, they are experienced in helping families through grief and loss. It could be beneficial for all of you to have someone to talk to who understands and can provide comfort.

Sarah: That sounds like a good idea. I want to support my boys as best as I can.

John: It's great to hear that, Sarah. Now, if you're comfortable, we would like to pray together as a way to seek strength and guidance from God.

Mary: Let's hold hands and bow our heads.

John and Mary lead a heartfelt prayer, asking for comfort, strength, and peace for Sarah and her sons.

John: Thank you for joining us in prayer, Sarah. We promise to keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this time. We'll also follow up with a phone call in two days to check in on you.

Mary: You're not alone in this journey, Sarah. We are here for you, and God is with you every step of the way.

Sarah: Thank you both, John and Mary. Your support means the world to me and my family.

John: We're honored to walk alongside you, Sarah. If you need anything before our next call, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Mary: Take care and may God's love and peace surround you and your family.

Sarah: Thank you. God bless you both.

John and Mary offer comforting hugs or handshakes, if appropriate, and leave Sarah's home, assuring her of their continuous support and presence during this difficult time.

**Founder's Corner - Dear Pastors and Church Leaders,

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Ministering to people one on one doesn't always go this smoothly. In some cases, you may run across less then favorable conditions and responses. That is why I recommend you go two-by-two especially when ministering to the opposite sex. In Mark 6 Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two and there is strength in numbers as well as safety.**