Divorce & Healing in the Church: Past and Present from Udemy

What is the course about?

The series of talks tackles the not-much talked about subject of divorce from an Orthodox Christian perspective, describing and reflecting on the past and present of the Church’s ambivalent attitude toward divorce, while also offering pastoral insights both on self-help and ministry to divorcees.

The key points covered in the course are:

Scriptural passages on Divorce
The Orthodox understanding of the ”sacramentality” of marriage
Church canons and civil law on divorce: „grounds” for divorce yesterday and today
Moving Forward After Divorce: Resentments and Healing
Challenges and Pitfalls of Ministry to Divorcees

What am I going to get from this course?

9 lectures and over 1 hour of content.
1 handout and 1 helpful worksheet on Dealing with Resentments
Better understanding of traditional, faith-based approaches to divorce
Factual knowledge of scriptural, pastoral and canonical texts about divorce
Inspirational insights on dealing with Post-Divorce Resentments

What is the target audience?

Anyone who has gone through or is going through a divorce
Anyone interested in Ministry to Divorcees

What are the requirements?

The only requirement for taking this course is having an interest, either personal or otherwise, in the theory and practice of Divorce in the Orthodox Church. The pastoral, canonical, historical and scriptural information, laid out in an accessible fashion, will be helpful to anyone interested in making sense of the Church's current practice. Sr. Vassa also makes some practical, pastoral suggestions about dealing with post-divorce resentments, for anyone ministering to themselves or others after a divorce.

What's inside

Learning objective

Better understanding of traditional, faith-based approaches to divorce

Syllabus

Section 1: Introduction and Context of Today

Lecture 1: Objectives of the Course

Lecture 2: The Specific Challenges of Today

Section 2: What the Bible Says About Divorce

Lecture 3: What Does Scripture Say?

Section 3: Marriage as a Sacrament

Lecture 4: The Church's Explanation of Christ's Words

Lecture 5: If Marriage is a "Sacrament," Then What is Divorce?

Section 4: Historical Background and Church Canons

Lecture 6: Canons & Laws on Divorce in Church History

Lecture 7: Canonical Grounds for Divorce

Section 5: Post-Divorce Healing

Lecture 8: Resentment & Healing After Divorce

Lecture 9: Ministry to Divorcees in the Orthodox Church Today

Course Handout (Outline, Quotes, Suggested Reading)

Course Handout

Worksheet on Resentments

Lecture 12: Additional Reading

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Offers insights into the Orthodox Church's historical and contemporary views on divorce, which may be helpful for those seeking faith-based understanding

Provides factual knowledge of scriptural, pastoral, and canonical texts related to divorce, which builds a strong foundation for further study

Includes a worksheet on dealing with resentments, which offers practical tools for personal growth and emotional healing after divorce

Explores the challenges and pitfalls of ministry to divorcees, which is valuable for those in pastoral roles or considering such a vocation

Requires an interest in the theory and practice of divorce in the Orthodox Church, which may limit its appeal to those outside this specific context

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Divorce & Healing in the Church: Past and Present with these activities:

Review Biblical Passages on Marriage and Divorce

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Strengthen your understanding of the scriptural basis for discussions on divorce within the Orthodox Christian tradition.

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Identify key passages related to marriage and divorce in both the Old and New Testaments.
Compare different interpretations of these passages by various theologians and scholars.
Reflect on how these passages inform the Orthodox Church's perspective on divorce.

Explore 'The Orthodox Church' by Timothy Ware (Kallistos Ware)

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Gain a broader understanding of Orthodox theology and practice to better contextualize the course's teachings on marriage and divorce.

View The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern... on Amazon

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Read sections related to sacraments, marriage, and the history of the Orthodox Church.
Take notes on key theological concepts and historical events.
Reflect on how this broader context informs the specific issues discussed in the course.

Read 'Marriage as a Path to Holiness' by David and Mary Ford

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Gain a deeper understanding of the Orthodox Christian view of marriage as a path to spiritual growth and holiness.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the book, paying attention to the stories of married saints and their spiritual journeys.
Reflect on how the principles of holiness in marriage relate to the challenges of divorce.
Consider how these stories can inform pastoral care for those experiencing divorce.

Four other activities

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Write a Reflection Paper on Personal Resentments

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Process and understand your own resentments, which is a key step in healing after divorce, as discussed in the course.

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Use the worksheet provided in the course to identify and explore personal resentments.
Write a reflection paper analyzing the root causes of these resentments.
Outline strategies for addressing and overcoming these resentments based on course materials.

Develop a Presentation on Canonical Grounds for Divorce

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Deepen your understanding of the canonical grounds for divorce in the Orthodox Church by preparing a presentation on the topic.

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Research the historical development of canonical grounds for divorce.
Summarize the key canonical grounds discussed in the course and in additional resources.
Prepare a presentation outlining these grounds and their implications.
Practice delivering the presentation to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Create a Resource Guide for Ministry to Divorcees

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Apply your knowledge from the course to develop a practical resource for those ministering to individuals experiencing divorce.

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Research existing resources for ministry to divorcees in the Orthodox Church and other traditions.
Compile a list of helpful books, articles, websites, and support groups.
Write a brief introduction explaining the Orthodox perspective on divorce and the importance of pastoral care.
Organize the resources into a user-friendly guide with clear headings and descriptions.

Volunteer at a Church Support Group

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Gain practical experience in supporting individuals going through divorce within a church setting.

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Contact your local Orthodox church or diocese to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist with organizing and facilitating support group meetings.
Offer a listening ear and provide encouragement to participants.

Career center

Learners who complete Divorce & Healing in the Church: Past and Present will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Support Group Facilitator

A support group facilitator leads discussions and provides a safe space for individuals sharing similar experiences to connect and offer mutual support. This course, with its focus on divorce within the Orthodox Christian context, offers an understanding of the complexities and common emotional challenges of divorce. A support group facilitator must be able to create a judgment-free environment and guide discussions about the challenges of post-divorce resentment. The course's exploration of post-divorce healing, including practical insights on dealing with resentments using a helpful worksheet, provides a unique skill set for a support group facilitator. Anyone interested in this career would find this course useful.

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Religious Studies Scholar

A religious studies scholar engages in the academic study of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions. This course, focused on divorce within the Orthodox Christian tradition, offers a specialized area of inquiry. The student will find that the course's examination of scriptural passages, church canons, and the historical development of attitudes toward divorce, will provide a solid foundation for research. A religious studies scholar will also learn how different traditions within Christianity understand divorce. This deep dive into the topic will be useful for a religious studies scholar, especially for those with a focus on Christianity and its traditions. Religious studies scholars often hold advanced degrees, like a Master's or PhD.

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Pastoral Counselor

A pastoral counselor provides guidance and support to individuals navigating life's challenges, often within a faith-based context. This course, with its focus on the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce, helps the pastoral counselor to understand the complexities of marital breakdown as well as the unique emotional and spiritual needs of individuals who have experienced divorce. The course's detailed exploration of scriptural passages, church canons, and pastoral approaches to ministry, will give a solid foundation for working with people in this challenging situation. Topics like resentment and healing, addressed in the course, are especially relevant for the work of a pastoral counselor. One seeking this career will find this course may provide helpful knowledge.

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Writer

A writer creates content for various audiences, often including articles, books, or blog posts. This course is excellent for a writer who wants to write about religion or divorce from a religious perspective. The course provides an in-depth exploration of the Orthodox Christian tradition on the topics of marriage and divorce. A writer may find the information on scriptural passages, church canons, and the history of divorce to be excellent background material. Those wishing to write about healing, ministry to divorcees, or post-divorce experiences, will also find this course exceptionally beneficial. This course may be of use to those in this career field.

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Clergy Member

A clergy member provides spiritual leadership and guidance to a congregation. This course provides a deep dive into the Orthodox Christian understanding of divorce, covering theological, historical, and pastoral aspects, which clergy members often must address. A clergy member must have an understanding of scriptural teachings, church canons, and pastoral approaches, all covered in this course. This course may be useful in understanding the challenges and providing compassionate care to those experiencing marital breakdown. The course also provides practical advice on pastoral ministry to divorcees, which is essential for a clergy member.

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Religious Educator

A religious educator is responsible for teaching and conveying religious principles and beliefs to various audiences within a religious community. This course, with its concentration on the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce, helps a religious educator explain complex topics like the sacramentality of marriage and canonical grounds for divorce. A religious educator needs to be well-versed in scriptural and canonical texts, which are foundational elements of this course. This course also provides a better understanding of the relevant history, which can be helpful when teaching. The insights this course provides can be useful for anyone seeking this career.

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Chaplain

A chaplain provides spiritual care and counseling in various settings, such as hospitals, universities, or the military. This course's detailed exploration of the Orthodox Christian approach to divorce, including scriptural, canonical, and pastoral aspects, is helpful for a chaplain working with individuals from this faith background. The chaplain will find material in this course that provides background into the unique spiritual and emotional challenges faced by people experiencing divorce. The course's discussions on resentment and healing are also relevant for offering compassionate support. This course may be valuable to someone entering this career field.

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Volunteer Coordinator

A volunteer coordinator recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who provide services to a community or organization. This course, which explores the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce, can be particularly helpful for a volunteer coordinator working with faith-based organizations that minister to those who are divorced. The course will deepen their understanding of the unique needs of that population and enable them to best coordinate the volunteer efforts of others. A volunteer coordinator will greatly benefit from learning how to best help those who have gone through a divorce. This course may be helpful for someone in this career path.

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Community Outreach Coordinator

A community outreach coordinator develops and implements programs and initiatives to engage with specific populations and address community needs. This course, which focuses on the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce and ministry to divorcees, can be valuable for an outreach coordinator working with faith-based communities. A community outreach coordinator will better understand the specific challenges that individuals experience during or after a divorce, and be able to develop programs that are sensitive to the needs of those people. The practical insights on pastoral care, and self-help for those experiencing resentment, will be of particular help. Anyone entering this career may find this course useful.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager oversees the development and implementation of programs for nonprofit organizations, often focused on specific populations. This course on divorce within the Orthodox Christian context, can be useful for program managers working with religious communities, or those who provide services to individuals experiencing marital breakdown. A nonprofit program manager will gain insight into the pastoral and emotional needs of divorcees and can use this understanding to create effective and compassionate programs. This course may be of use for anyone in this particular career.

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Conflict Resolution Specialist

A conflict resolution specialist helps individuals or groups manage and resolve conflicts through facilitative and sometimes mediative techniques. While this course focuses on the specific context of divorce within the Orthodox Christian Church, it touches on universal aspects of conflict stemming from interpersonal dynamics and complex situations. The study of resentment, healing, and different views on canonical grounds for divorce, provides a unique lens for understanding conflict and navigating difficult conversations. A conflict resolution specialist will find the handling of post-divorce resentments particularly helpful. Anyone entering this career field should consider this course.

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Life Coach

A life coach works with people to help them identify their goals and develop strategies to achieve them. While this course focuses on the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce, the themes of healing from resentment, setting new goals, and moving on after a major life change have broad applicability. A life coach will find that the course's exploration of post-divorce challenges and strategies for moving forward can offer valuable insight into how to help clients who have experienced a divorce. Anyone interested in this profession may find this course useful.

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Ethics Consultant

An ethics consultant provides guidance on moral principles and ethical decision-making within various organizations or contexts. While this course focuses on the Orthodox Christian perspective on divorce, the underlying themes of moral decision-making and ethical considerations are present. This course can help an ethics consultant better understand how religious values, scriptural teachings, and canonical laws can influence views on complex issues. The course covers canonical grounds for divorce and helps an ethics consultant to understand the nuances of various beliefs about marriage, divorce and family life. This course may be useful for one in this career.

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Social Worker

A social worker helps individuals and families navigate challenges and connect with necessary resources. While this course has a specific focus on the Orthodox Christian perspective, the topics explored are relevant for social workers who work with families facing divorce but who are not of the Orthodox Christian community. A social worker will find the course's exploration of emotional and practical challenges related to divorce and healing useful in their work and may learn more about the needs of the Orthodox Christian community. This course may be helpful for a social worker.

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Family Mediator

A family mediator facilitates communication and helps resolve disputes between family members, often during difficult transitions such as divorce. While this course focuses on the Orthodox Christian perspective, the concepts of resentment, healing, and the complexities of divorce are universally relevant. A family mediator will find value in this course's focus on understanding different viewpoints and helping individuals move forward after a divorce. While this course does not focus on legal process, its exploration of the emotional and pastoral aspects of marital breakdown can be particularly insightful for a family mediator. Anyone in this career field might find this course of use.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Divorce & Healing in the Church: Past and Present.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Explores the lives of married saints within the Orthodox tradition, offering a perspective on marriage as a spiritual journey. It provides context for understanding the Orthodox view of marriage's 'sacramentality,' a key concept discussed in the course. While not directly about divorce, it illuminates the ideal to which the Church calls married couples, making the challenges of divorce more understandable. This book is valuable as additional reading to deepen one's understanding of the Orthodox perspective on marriage.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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The Orthodox Church

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Orthodox theology, history, and practice. It offers valuable background information on the Orthodox understanding of sacraments, including marriage, which is essential for understanding the Church's perspective on divorce. While not specifically focused on divorce, it provides the necessary theological framework. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by those seeking a deeper understanding of Orthodox Christianity.

The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern...

Paperback

Divorce & Healing in the Church

Past and Present

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

Good to know

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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