1. Depression Bible 5-2 1

2. WORSHIP LHoly God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, Chave mercy and hear us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen 2

3. Worship - 2 C. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen 3

4. Worship - 3 LShow us your mercy, O Lord, Cand grant us your salvation. LClothe your ministers with righteousness. CLet your people sing with joy. LGive peace, O Lord, in all the world; Cfor only in you can we live in safety. LLord, keep this nation under your care, Cand guide us in the way of justice and truth. LLet your way be known upon earth; Cyour saving health among all nations. LLet not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten, Cnor the hope of the poor be taken away. LCreate in us clean hearts, O God, Cand sustain us with your Holy Spirit. LThe Lord be with you. CAnd also with you. 4

5. Worship - 4 L We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have this day so graciously protected us. We beg you to forgive us all our sins and the wrong which we have done. By your great mercy defend us from all the perils and dangers of this night. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls, and all that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one have no power over us. CAmen LLet us bless the Lord. CThanks be to God. LThe + Lord bless us, defend us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. CAmen 5

6. Experience Is depression just another word for sadness? How would you describe sadness?? How would you describe depression? 6

7. Discussion & reflection: WebMD uses the following words in its definition of depression “Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that lasts at least two consecutive weeks and is severe enough to interrupt daily activities” Signs of depression Sadness or apathy Aversion to light Preoccupation with self Self healing…eating, not eating, drinking, working, sleeping, watching tv, etc. 7

8. Discussion & reflection: Sometimes we go through difficult periods involving a major loss…a loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of health, etc. These are causes of SITUATIONAL sadness. It is normal and follows a predictable path toward healing. Depression, untreated, only gets worse. Major depressive disorder is a medical condition and interferes with normal living. 8

9. Discussion & reflection: Everyone experiences depression differently, though there are some common traits as we discussed above. Did you know there are different types of depression? About 1 in every 15 or 20 people lives with depression. Did you know there is a free online test for clinical depression. Go to… http://www.depressedtest.com/ 9

10. Discussion & reflection: The Bible reminds us God never loses sight of us Deuteronomy 31:8 “… It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 32:10: In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye. Psalms 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalms 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 10

11. Discussion & reflection: Your Trust and Hope is In Him; Call Upon Him Psalms 3:3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalms 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Psalms 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 11

12. Discussion & reflection: He Has Great Plans for You; Hang in There Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 12

13. Discussion & reflection: What to do if you are diagnosed with depression…. 1. Come close to your Lord. Lean on Him. Ask Him, in all humility, for healing and for hope. Pray daily. Read your Bible daily. Serve others less fortunate than you. 2. If you are given medication, take it as prescribed. Let your doctor know how the medicine is working. 3. If talk therapy would help, in addition to or in place of medication, then faithfully continue with a competent, Christian therapist. 4. In any case, be a friend to others, especially to others who may also be struggling with depression 13

14. Discussion & reflection: On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), how much do you pray daily? On the same scale, how much do you pray for others? How much do you pray for yourself? How much do you read your Bible daily? How much do you try to heal yourself? How likely are you to ignore our God? How likely are you to turn to our God every day? 14