It’s Okay to Not Be Okay Study Guide: Depression

Connect
Have you ever played The Quiet Game in the car? Did you win?
Do you have a favorite car game?

Engage and Apply

Do you agree that people tend to play the quiet game in church? What is the outcome of people staying quiet? How can you help create an environment where people can openly share?

Wolfgang gave three suggestions when dealing with depression: talk to yourself, talk to others, talk to God.

Talk to yourself. When we are in a dark place, sometimes the words we say to ourselves can affect how we feel. Read the following verses. How can they help when we talk to ourselves?

Deuteronomy 31:8
Psalm 34:18-19
Isaiah 41:10

Talk to others. Talking to someone else can be helpful when dealing with depression. Sometimes that involves a professional. It also includes talking to the people around us. What do the following verses have to say about talking to each other about our struggles?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Galatians 6:2

What are some things that you can say to someone who comes to you to talk about depression? Are there things that you shouldn’t say?

Talk to God. God is there no matter what our feelings are and He is always ready to hear what we have to say. The Bible is filled with counsel and encouragement to go to God with our troubles, our thoughts, and our feelings. Close your group time by praying Psalm 143:7-9 together (below).

Answer us quickly, Lord;
our spirits fail.
Do not hide your face from us
or we will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love,
for we have put our trust in you.
Show us the way we should go,
for to you we entrust our lives.
Rescue us from our enemies, Lord,
for we hide ourselves in you.
Amen.

Challenge for this upcoming week:

Wolfgang told us that depression can make you forget everything that you know about God; sometimes that’s true whether you’re depressed or not.

Make a list of the truths that you know about God, His personality, and His power. If it is hard to make a list on your own, ask someone to help. Keep the list in a place that you can reference when you need to remember who God is.

**In case you have need of this for yourself or a loved one, the National Suicide Hotline is: 1800 273 8255