RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 19 May 2024 Lesson 38 – Depression (Part 2)
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TOPIC: Depression (Part 2) (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
MEMORY VERSE: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Job 3:23-26 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 19 May 2024 HYMN)
23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?
24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Also Read:
– RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 19 May 2024: Depression (Part 2)
INTRODUCTION:
Depression is misunderstood by many, and it often carries a stigma. It can distort one’s perception of reality or make one doubt his/her judgement. Only those who have gone through depression can comprehend how terrible the experience can be. Finding healing is possible but may take time. Some people may give the wrong advice because they do not understand depression. Therefore, it is important to find out what is and is not true about depression and tips that can help people going through it.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- MISCONCEPTION VS REALITY
- HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE DEPRESSED
1. MISCONCEPTION VS REALITY
- Misconception: Depression is not real.
Reality: Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain’s ability to function as it should. - Misconception: Depression is a sin. Being depressed means you are failing to trust God.
Reality: Depression is a mental illness, not a sin. - Misconception: Depression will go away if you pray hard enough or have enough faith.
Reality: Depression is a serious illness that usually needs prayer plus treatment. God gave doctors and mental health professionals the understanding and skills to help those who are suffering. - Misconception: Depression is a punishment from God. If you feel depressed, it is because you have not confessed your sins (John 9:1-3).
Reality: Depression is not the fault of the person who is suffering. It is a trial that can redefine someone’s faith, but it is not a punishment for sin. - Misconception: People with depression are unstable and cannot be trusted with church leadership or responsibilities.
Reality: Depression and other mental illnesses do not disqualify people from leadership or church roles except during times of ‘deep depression.’ The experience can give people compassion or perspective in a way that makes them good leaders (1 Samuel 30:1-10). - Misconception: It is shameful to discuss mental illness openly.
Reality: The church community should be a safe environment for people to discuss mental health without prejudice. - Misconception: You can always tell if someone is depressed by outward appearances or actions.
Reality: You cannot always tell that someone is depressed from how they look or act. Some depressed people are so skilled at hiding their conditions that you would never know.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why is it that some people with mental health issues shy away from discussing it?
2. HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE DEPRESSED
These are some helpful tips if you are a Christian going through depression or if you know someone who is:
- God cares about your state (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 5:7).
- Like biblical patriarchs, you are not alone (Jeremiah 20:7-11; 1 Kings 19:4-6; Psalm 42:9).
- God’s love and faithfulness never depend on you. His love for us is solely dependent on His character, grace, and goodness (Lamentations 3:21-23).
- God saves and delivers from afflictions (Psalm 34:18-19).
- God can bring good even out of something as bad as depression (Romans 8:28).
- There is still hope. Your low thoughts and emotions are not the truth (Job 14:7-9; Romans 8:35-39).
- You can find strength by leaning on community (Romans 15:1).
- Your friends and family can help you by praying and being there for you.
- It is not a sin to seek professional help for depression as a Christian (Luke 5:31).
- Do not allow anything to separate you from God (Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 12:2).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Why do we have cases of people committing suicide as a result of depression despite the available helpful tips around?
CONCLUSION: With God’s love and support from the people around you, you can get through depression.
QUESTIONS
- Debunk three misconceptions about depression.
- Mention four helpful tips for the depressed.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: Job 14:7-9 (KJV)
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
Monday: Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tuesday: 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.
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 30:1-10 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
Thursday: Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Friday: Romans 15:1 (KJV)
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Saturday: Jeremiah 20:7-9 (KJV)
7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify people around you who are going through depression and minister to them (No marks).
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?
