BONUS MINISTRY IN THE FACE OF MENTAL ILLNESS 132 BONUS SESSION
Why do we tend to avoid talking about mental illness? BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 133
THE POINT Christians are to care for those suffering from mental illness. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE The unspoken prayer request. In most Bible study groups and churches, prayer requests usually focus on people with physical illnesses or injuries. Often, those illnesses and injuries are quite obvious and certainly cause pain and struggle for those involved. We also pray for those who are hurting because of the loss of a loved one. All that is as it should be. However, we are also surrounded by people both inside and outside the church who bear wounds which are not as visible. Those wounds are just as debilitating, just as serious, and, sometimes, just as deadly. Share This Many people in our world and our churches struggle with mental illness and emotional pain. Perhaps the most common form of this might be called depression, but mental illness takes many forms. We typically know how to pray and minister to those with physical health concerns, but what do we do with those struggling with mental illness? Instead of ignoring, looking the other way, or even worse, demeaning people with mental and emotional struggles, let us look to the Scripture to see how we can help those who suffer. In a recent survey, 51% of people say someone close to them has experienced mental illness.1 134 BONUS SESSION
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 2 Corinthians 1:2-7 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 3 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 4 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 5 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 6 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort. 7 The Setting Paul had spent considerable time in Corinth, but after his departure, the church fellowship had fragmented. Factions aligned claiming to follow various leaders. Sinful behavior met no challenge. Pride, arrogance, and egotism replaced the fruit of the Spirit. Paul wrote and visited to correct the situation, but to little initial avail. Eventually most believers repented and healing began. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to facilitate continued healing and restoration of relationships within the church. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 135
THE POINT Christians are to care for those suffering from mental illness. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:2-3 While books, counseling, and even medicine may offer some degree of help for those dealing with mental illness, God is the ultimate Source of healing, hope, and help. Let s never forget that. More than 1 in 20 Americans ages 12 and over have reported depression.2 That s not to imply that anyone struggling with mental illness needs to do is trust God more and pray more. The roots and causes of mental illness can be varied and diverse, and God also works through medicine and counseling. One of the most difficult times in my life was the death of my firstborn child. In moments like those, it is easy for some people to become bitter toward God and blame Him (or others) for what happened. In my time of need, though, I chose to turn to our Heavenly Father. Words of Scripture I had memorized long before came to my heart; He used those very Scriptures to bring compassion and comfort to me. YY Job 1:21: Helps us see that God gives and takes away. In either case, we are to praise His name. YY John 14:1-3: Jesus told us that we can find hope in Him our pain, struggle, and problems on earth are not the final diagnosis. Christians are bound for eternity with Jesus and full restoration of health, both physical and mental. God s Word has helped me throughout my life in good and bad times. His Word is available to help you, too. When have you experienced the peace and comfort of God? 136 BONUS SESSION
2 CORINTHIANS 1:4-5 The issue is not if you are going to have trouble in your life, but when you are going to have trouble. Troubles come to everyone. Unfortunately, an increasing number of people are experiencing mental and emotional turmoil. One recent study showed that more teenagers are dying by suicide at a greater rate than by traffic accidents.3 The U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains told me we have been losing more soldiers to suicide than to combat and this was at the peak of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. Suicide has risen dramatically for young women, ages 18 to 30. For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.4 Trouble comes into the life of every person at some time. How do we respond? YY Some people experience bitterness even though their lives continue on. YY Some people fall into negative patterns such as drug abuse or unhealthy relationships. YY Some people fall into a deep pit of despair, depression, or worse. YY Some couples view divorce as the first option when trouble comes into their marriages. God is the one who reaches out to all of us. The Scripture is clear that He comforts us in all not just some of our troubles. One way God desires to express His comfort to others is through us. God calls us to comfort those who are going through similar difficulties to those we ourselves have experienced. As we have received the grace and peace from God, we can come alongside others to extend grace and peace to them. What are practical ways we can share Christ's love and peace with others? Share Plan who are in need? Not just How do Christians take the love and peace of Christ to those as well? Brainstorm some those with physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs ways with a partner and share with your group. How can we help? Who Those with physical needs Those with emotional needs Those with spiritual needs (the lost and those running from God) BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 137
THE POINT Christians are to care for those suffering from mental illness. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:6-7 God can even use difficult things for the good of others and for His glory. Both distress and comfort, when experienced in the life of a Christ follower, work for good in the lives of others who are struggling. This is a concept that many in our world struggle to understand. YY How could something good come out of something bad? In one survey, 57% of those surveyed believed that people are caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness.5 YY How could something most of us seek to avoid actually turn out for the best? YY Is it truly possible that the deepest tragedies of life can bring about some of the greatest victories? This wisdom from God runs contrary to the wisdom of this world. According to human logic, it simply does not make sense. Let s look at our problems in another way: nothing is wasted in this life. YY James 1:2-4 tells us that struggles and trials can build perseverance and spiritual endurance in our lives. YY Romans 5:3-4 helps us see that character and hope is the outcome these struggles and trials can bring. Who doesn t wish for perseverance, character, or hope? It is an amazing attribute of God that He would give us these things in the midst of struggle and trial. It is true that much good comes to us, but 2 Corinthians 1:6-7 points beyond our own advantage and growth; Paul calls us to use what has happened to us for the aid and benefit of others. God can use our difficulties to comfort others. Instead of running from or hiding our difficulties, let s ask God to use our struggles in a way that would bring honor and glory to Him. One of the best ways to do that is to help and comfort others even in the midst of our own difficulties. What are some similarities and As God's people, what can differences between we do to care for those physical illness and with mental illness? mental illness? 138 BONUS SESSION
"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." 6 M OT H E R T E R E S A APPLY IT Share in Knowing that God uses our struggles and trials to grow us spiritually, how can we live out what we have learned? YY Set up a regular prayer time. Surrender yourself to God and make yourself available to be used by Him. Ask God to help you find someone who needs an encouraging word. YY Deepen your walk with the Lord so that when trouble comes, you seek to grow through it, not just escape it. Do we really believe that God is strong enough to use every part of life, including the negative, to teach us something new? I believe the answer is yes. Suffering God is not distant from us, but a Comforter who meets our needs. He expects us to do the same for others, comforting them out of the comfort He has shown us. To read the Essential Connection student devotion, "Share in Suffering," visit BibleStudiesForLife.com/articles or scan this QR code. YY Raise awareness. Help people within your sphere of influence to become more sensitive to those who are struggling with mental and emotional illness. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 139
LIVE IT OUT RAISE AWARENESS 2 Corinthians 1:4 As a body of believers, we have a unique opportunity to minister to people who are hurting, both mentally and emotionally. While God is ultimately the one who brings healing, He can also use us to bring hope and encouragement to people who are struggling. The church should be a safe haven where people can find hope, love, and healing. Unfortunately, many Christians live in ignorance when it comes to these illnesses. This creates an environment where people tend to hide their hurts instead of seeking the help they need. Do a little research this week. Jot down some things you discover about mental illness. Make it a priority to educate yourself and your group about how to be sensitive to those who are hurting. 140 BONUS SESSION
LIVE IT OUT PRAYER TIME Romans 12:12 Jesus sustains us in difficult times. He is our Healer. As the body of Christ, we have the responsibility to remind one another of that truth. We also have the privilege of consistently encouraging and praying for one another. While we may not always see the answers, the Lord honors the persistent prayers of those who love Him. Commit to pray diligently for those you know who are struggling with emotional and mental illnesses. This may be a long journey, but you can choose to fight alongside them through the power of prayer. Determine a time you will set aside each day to pray specifically for others. In the space provided, journal your prayers this week. A tip: hhconsider starting a prayer journal where you can keep track of prayer needs and answers. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 141
REFERENCES UNIT 2, SESSION 1 UNIT 2, SESSION 5 1. Factors parents should consider when using a pacifier, Calora Baby, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.calorababy.co.za. 2. Rebecca Sample Gerstung, Do You Have a Favorite Child? New Research Says That You Do, ivillage, 28 September 2011, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.ivillage.com. 3. Youth Sports Statistics, Statistic Brain, 10 September 2013, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.statisticbrain.com. 4. Charles Stanley, How to Listen to God (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1985), 19. 1. Elizabeth Cohen, Blaming others can ruin your health, CNN Health, 18 August 2011, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.cnn.com. 2. Largest Family Reunion, Guiness World Records, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com. 3. Fast Facts About Fire, National Fire Protection Association, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: https://www.nfpa.org. 4. John Ortberg, Jr. Quotes, Goodreads, [cited March 21, 2014]. Available from the Internet: https://www.goodreads.com. UNIT 2, SESSION 2 UNIT 2, SESSION 6 1. Brett Nelson and Katy Finneran, Dumbest Warning Labels, www.forbes.com, (published February 23, 2011), (accessed March 17, 2014). 2. Peter Carlson, Hey, the labels are kind of stupid, but don t say they didn t try to warn you, The Seattle Times, 6 November 2006, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. 3. 11 Stunning Statistics Prove Slavery Didn t Die 150 Years Ago, Policy Mic, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.policymic.com. 4. About Us, The Color Run, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.thecolorrun.com. 5. J. C. Ryle, The Priest, The Puritan, and The Preacher (New York, NY: Robert Carter and Brother, 1856), 237. 1. Infographic of the Day: Tornado Alley Map Stats, Global Economic Intersection, 6 June 2013, [cited March 24, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.econintersect.com. 2. Statistics, National Funeral Directors Association, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://nfda.org. 3. Facts about Sibling Abuse, Sibling Abuse, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://sibling-abuse.com. 4. Abraham Lincoln Quotes, Brainy Quote, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.brainyquote.com. UNIT 2, SESSION 3 1. Researchers identify Busy Lifestyle Syndrome as new condition that makes you forgetful, news.com, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.news.com.au. 2. Harvard Medical School, Tone Deafness Explained, ScienceDaily, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.sciencedaily.com. 3. Dream Facts, DreamDictionary.org, [cited March 29, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.dreamdictionary.org. 4. Mother Theresa Quotes, Brainy Quote, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.brainyquote.com. UNIT 2, SESSION 4 1. Stefanos Chen, Hot Stat: Today s Homes Burn Faster Than Ever, AOL Real Estate, 7 November 2011, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://realestate.aol.com. 2. Hunger Statistics, World Food Programme, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.wfp.org. 3. 9 Foods That Last Forever, Still Tasty, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.stilltasty.com. 4. Christian Quotes - Anxiety and Worry Index, Daily Christian Quote, [cited March 22, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://dailychristianquote.com. BONUS UNIT 1. Bob Smietana, Half of evangelicals believe prayer can heal mental illness, LifeWay NewsRoom, 17 September 2013, [cited March 24, 2014]. Available from the Internet: blog.lifeway.com. 2. Depression, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, [cited March 24, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. 3. Tara Parker-Pope, Suicide Rates Rise Sharply in U.S., nytimes. com, 2 May 2013, [cited March 17, 2014]. Available from the Internet: nytimes.com. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Suicide, cdc.gov, 19 January 2014, [cited March 17, 2014]. Available from the Internet: cdc.gov. 5. Stigma of Mental Illness, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, [cited March 24, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov. 6. Mother Teresa Quotes, Brainy Quote, [cited March 24, 2014]. Available from the Internet: http://www.brainyquote.com.