RCCG *YAYA* SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL

SUNDAY 12TH OF MAY, 2024
LESSON THIRTY SEVEN (37)
TOPIC: DEPRESSION (PART 1)

*SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN*
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. 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.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Kings 19:1-4.
[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.

MEMORY VERSE: “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!” Genesis 30:1 (NKJV).

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.

OUTLINES:
1. BIBLICAL INSTANCES AND CAUSES
2. 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:
1. 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; 1Thessalonians 1:6).
2. God will never leave His own (Deuteronomy 31:8).
3. God will strengthen and uphold His children regardless of the situation (Isaiah 41:10).
4. God hears our cry (Psalm 40:1-3).
5. 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: SUN: Isa.41:10. MON: Ps.34:18-19. TUES: Rom.15:13. WED: Ps.40:1-3. THURS: 1Kgs.19:3-5. FRI: Rom.8:20-22. SAT: 1Sam.1:6-7.

ASSIGNMENT: Write five (5) misconceptions people have about depression (2x5= 10marks). HOUSE FELLOWSHIP LEADERS' MANUAL

SUNDAY 12TH OF MAY, 2024
LESSON THIRTY SEVEN (37)
TOPIC: DEPENDABLE GOD

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP ANTHEM

1. I love this family of God,
So closely knitted into one,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

2. I bless this family of God,
So greatly prospered by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

3. I know this family of God,
So deeply rooted in the word,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

4. I see this family of God,
So highly lifted above all,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family

5. Come, join this family of God,
So highly favoured by the Lord,
They have taken me into their arms
And am so glad to be
A part of this great family.

OPENING PRAYERS: Father, thank You for always being there for us, You are indeed our dependable God.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leader should remind members that God knows all things including challenges but the question now is; does He know them?

MEMORY VERSE: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy path. "Proverbs 3:5-6

BIBLE TEXT: Numbers 23:19-20
[19]God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
[20]Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: To be dependable means to be capable of being depended on, it means to be worthy of trust or reliable. Dependable also means true, safe, secure or good. Our God is dependable, you can trust and rely on Him for everything. He is Jehovah Shammah because He is present everywhere, we can look up to God for everything we need.

LESSON AIM: To make members understand who our God is - A DEPENDABLE GOD!

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, members should be able to know:
• God as our dependable God.
• Reasons why we need to depend on God.

TEXT REVIEW: Numbers 23:19-20
a. God is not a man, that He should lie.
b. Whenever He speaks it is done. He makes all things good.
c. A declaration from God cannot be reversed.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
OUR DEPENDABLE GOD
Our God is dependable, we can trust Him with all our heart (Prov.3:5) because He has promised, He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), God is faithful, reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise and He can be depended on.

REASONS WHY WE NEED TO DEPEND ON GOD
• He is our Shepherd. A good shepherd takes good care of the sheep - Ps. 23:1.
• He is our Very Present Help - Psalms 46:1.
• He is the Great Provider, Jehovah Jireh - Philippians 4:19.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
DO YOU DEPEND ON HIM?
Depending on God is basic to the Christian life. In fact, we depend on God for everything - Psalms 104:27. We depend on God for;
a. Salvation-Ephesians 2:8,9.
b. Wisdom- James 1:5.
c. Direction - Psalms 32:8.

HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL WAYS TO DEPEND ON GOD ALONE
a. Prayer: Prayer is an acknowledgement of God's power. When you pray, you demonstrate dependence on God - Jeremiah 33:3.
b. The word: Joshua 1:8, the Word of God has information, instructions, examples and promises. Read from the Bible everyday and discover the power in His Word.
c. Abide in Christ: John 15:4, the Christian life is not a "now and then" endeavours with God. It is making God your dwelling place, living with Him, abiding and putting all your trust in Him.

ACTIVITY: Sing with faith the song, "Dependable, Reliable God X2. You will do as You say, You are worthy to be praised. Dependable, Reliable God."

SUMMARY: There is none dependable and reliable as our God.

CONCLUSION: Our dependable God cares for His children even more than the grass He clothes with flowers and birds that He feeds daily. Learn to cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

PRAYER POINTS
1. Appreciate God for He has never failed us. He has been the most dependable, reliable and faithful Father.
2. Lord, help us to totally depend on You at all times.
3. Father, only You can make a nation great. We depend on You for a better Nigeria.
4. Lord, RCCG depends solely on You. Please, increase RCCG on every side.
5. Pray that Daddy G.O. will continue to depend on God alone in Jesus name.
6. Every spirit of double mindedness destroyed by fire in Jesus name.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY: Psalms 33:20.
TUESDAY: Psalms 121:1-2.
WEDNESDAY: Philippians 4:19.
THURSDAY: Proverbs 3:5.
FRIDAY: Philippians 4:13.
SATURDAY: Hebrews 12:2.
SUNDAY: Ephesians 3:20.