RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 12 May 2024 Lesson 37 – Depression (Part 1)
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TOPIC: Depression (Part 1) (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.” – Genesis 30:1 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 19:1-4 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 12 May 2024 HYMN)
1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
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 he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Also Read:
– Open Heaven 12 May 2024 – Accessing True Hope
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 12 May 2024: Depression (Part 1)
– RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 12 May 2024 – Depression (Part 1)
INTRODUCTION: Depression is a word from the Latin verb “deprimere,” meaning to press down. It is an emotional response triggered by circumstances beyond one’s mental stability. It is a mental health illness or mood disorder where one experiences unusual persistent sadness. As the saying goes, there is no health without mental health. This shows that other aspects of health such as physical, financial, spiritual, and social can also take a downward spiral due to a depressive illness. Hence, it is important to educate ourselves on the causes, symptoms, and the way out of depression.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- BIBLICAL INSTANCES AND CAUSES
- PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION
1. BIBLICAL INSTANCES AND CAUSES
Depression is often viewed as a persistent feeling of sadness (Romans 8:20-22). There are many biblical examples of men of God who struggled with sadness, even to the point of depression. David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), did not gloss over his sadness; he expressed it to God (Psalm 56:8). Both Moses (Numbers 11:15) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-5), two heroes of the faith, confessed to God that they preferred to die than live in their current reality.
Depression can be triggered by negative events such as the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a relationship, loss of a pet, economic crises, financial instability, unpleasant circumstances, etc (1 Samuel 1:6-7; Nehemiah 2:2). Biologically, depression manifests when some chemical changes occur in the human brain due to persistent uncontrollable sad feelings. This causes changes in the levels of some hormones in the brain which include cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine. These changes affect multiple organs in the body including the brain leading to a gross reduction in human productivity and health.
Consequently, symptoms of depression include a depressed mood or feeling of sadness, constant tiredness, reduced or lost interest in previously enjoyable activities, forgetfulness, hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, and being overly suspicious of people or events. Excessive complaints of body pains, loss of appetite, loss of interest in sex, loss of sleep, and poor attention can also signal a depressive illness.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Can a true Christian suffer depression?
2 PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION
Some people use inadequate coping mechanisms for this mood disorder. They may engage in the abuse of alcohol, smoking, absenteeism, spouse battery, over-spirituality, over-socialisation, etc. These maladaptive coping mechanisms give short-term relief but only worsen the symptoms and eventually lead to a severe mental illness.
To prevent depression believers should note the following, in addition to seeking medical or professional interventions:
- A Christian is supposed to be filled with joy (Romans 15:13). Joy is something the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).
- God will never leave His own (Deuteronomy 31:8).
- God will strengthen and uphold His children regardless of the situation (Isaiah 41:10).
- God hears our cry (Psalm 40:1-3).
- God is near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18-19; Matthew 11:28-30).
We should also develop positive attitudes; understand our mental limits; build problem-solving skills, resilience skills, and good communication skills.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Can a Christian seek medical assistance for depression? Discuss.
CONCLUSION: Depression contributes to poor personal, family, community, and economic growth. It can be difficult to recognise but once any of the symptoms are noticed, it is important to seek care immediately.
QUESTIONS:
- Mention five causes of depression.
- Identify four things believers must do to prevent depression.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Monday: Psalm 34:18-19 (KJV)
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Tuesday: Romans 15:13 (KJV)
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Wednesday: Psalm 40:1-3 (KJV)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
Thursday: 1 Kings 19:3-5 (KJV)
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 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 he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
Friday: Romans 8:20-22 (KJV)
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Saturday: 1 Samuel 1:6-7 (KJV)
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. 7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
ASSIGNMENT: Write five (5) misconceptions people have about depression (2×5= 10marks).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
