Sunday School Lesson Outlines

Christians Are Not Immune To Depression

You may have been in a time of darkness or sadness, where you felt like you were sinking in the sand. As Christians we are not immune to the things of the world – we just have the tools, knowledge and scripture to fight it. Plus we have our ever standing friend, Jesus, to walk beside us through the valley.

There are several Biblical examples in the Bible.

Elijah

• He went from great victories into deep depression. The Lord used him in miraculous ways to win wars and turn the Israelites from Baal back to God. Elijah had just preformed a miraculous sacrifice to prove to the Israelites that God was their Lord.

1 Kings 18:36-39 "Then it came about at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that Thou art God in Israel,and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O Lord, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.' Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.'" NASB

• Then after more events and wonders, he was threatened by the Queen. He escaped into the desert where he wanted to die. This sounds like many of us at times.

1 Kings 19:4 "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that hemight die, and said, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.'" NASB

• He told the Lord that he had enough.

King David

• God called him a man after his own heart.

1 Samuel 13:14 "But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." NASB

• Even he struggled with depression.

Psalm 6:6-7 "I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries." NASB

Job

• Poor Job and his family faced some really awful times. I can't even imagine the agony that he went through. He tried to stay positive because he knew that God had always promised never to leave his side.

Job 1:20-22 "The job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he felll tothe ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the nameof the Lord.' Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God." NASB

• Sometimes it just doesn't feel that way. This is when we need to cling to our faith. Even though Job was strong in his faith he still cried out:

Job 9:21 "I am guiltless; I do not take notice of myself; I despise my life." NASB

Jacob

• Jacob had many sons and the youngest was a favorite. His name was Joseph. I'm sure you remember the stories of his brother's jealousy and the coat of many colors, etc. But Jacob was a proud and happy man.

Genesis 32:28-30 "And he said, 'Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.' Then Jacob asked him and said, 'Please tell me your name.' But he said, 'Why is it that you ask my name?' And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, 'I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.'" NASB

• Jacob became deeply depressed and no one could comfort him when the other brothers pretended Joseph was dead.

Genesis 37:34 "So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, 'Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son.' So his father wept for him." NASB

Be Encouraged, Regardless Of Your Situation

• There are many examples in the Bible of depression in the lives of good Godly people. Can depression be a sign of disobedience? Of course! But it can also be from total exhaustion, and the medically draining of serotonin from the body. It can also be caused by a medical or chemical issue, etc. God can heal you instantly and often times He does.

• But if you're in the waiting cycle don't assume God is mad at you. Feeling separated from His presence doesn't mean you are. Trust that you completely belong to the Father. Seeking help and trusting God go hand in hand. If it's medical, He will give the doctor's knowledge for your situation to get you back in business. Always remember - in fact memorize it:

Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." NASB

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