1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2011 Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2011

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal

3. Julian Melgosa Principal Contributor

4. Jesus Wept: The Bible and Human Emotions Contents 1 Emotions 2 Divine Provision for Anxiety 3 Stress 4 Relationships 5 Guilt 6 Good Thinking 7 Hope Against Depression 8 Resilience 9 Self-Esteem 10 Jealousy 11 Freedom From Addictions 12 Nature as a Source of Health 13 Partnership With Jesus

5. Jesus Wept: The Bible and Human Emotions Our Goal {3} These lessons look at human emotions and give us biblical principles on how we can understand our emotions and seek the power of the Lord to bring them under His loving sovereignty. We’ll look at Bible characters, focusing on their emotional reactions to whatever befell them, good and bad, and ask: What can we learn from their experiences that can help us with ours?

6. Jesus Wept: The Bible and Human Emotions Lesson 7, February 12 Jesus Wept: The Bible and Human Emotions Lesson 7, February 12 Hope Against Depression

7. Key Text Psalm 34:18 NIV “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

8. Hope Against Depression Initial Words {79} Hopelessness is a symptom of depression, and the biblical message of hope can offer us so much in contrast to a world that offers so little. All face moments of extreme discouragement for any variety of reasons. No wonder, then, that the Word of God is filled with promises that can give all of us reasons to hope for a better future, if not in this world, then certainly in the next.

9. Hope Against Depression Quick Look 1. Results of Depression (Isaiah 38:14) 2. Relief From Depression—1 (Psalm 55:17) 3. Relief From Depression—2 (Psalm 32:1, 2)

10. Hope Against Depression 1. Results of Depression Isaiah 38:14 NIV “ ‘I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!’ ”

11. 1.Results of Depression Hezekiah’s Experience {82} Hezekiah was suffering from illness, and its gravity announced death. Thus, he experienced a spell of depression as described in Isaiah 38. Depressive symptoms commonly are found in individuals with a prolonged or terminal disease. Depressive symptoms are so painful that many will attempt suicide to end this horrible experience.

12. 1.Results of Depression Hezekiah’s Experience {82} Manifestations: (a) a deep sense of sadness (sorrow), (b) a lack of motivation to do anything, even enjoyable activities, (c) a change in appetite and either weight loss or gain, (d) sleep disturbances, sleeping either not enough or too much, (e) feelings of low self-esteem, (f) poor reasoning and memory, and (g) thoughts of death and suicide.

13. 1.Results of Depression The Downcast Soul {82} Some people experience just one or two symptoms, while others manifest several and suffer for months until the episode ends. In any case, the burden of depression is enormous and must be relieved by medical and spiritual intervention.

14. 1.Results of Depression The Downcast Soul {80} David experienced serious mood alterations on many occasions because of unfair persecution (for instance, Saul and Israel’s adversaries). In addition, his violation of God’s commandments brought about a deep sense of guilt (Psalm 51:4), and guilt often is associated with depression.

15. Hope Against Depression 2. Relief From Depression—1 Psalm 55:17 NKJV “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

16. 2. Relief From Depression—1 Verbalizing Thoughts {84} Depression necessitates that the sufferer speak about his or her struggles. This act alone can begin to initiate healing. Approaching the Lord in fervent and sincere prayer is a safe way to release tension and psychological pain.

17. 2. Relief From Depression—1 Verbalizing Thoughts {84} A basic coping strategy consists of talking to a friend (or a therapist) who knows how to listen and, even better, who knows how to help access more intensive resources, if needed. There is a healing effect in verbalizing thoughts and feelings.

18. Psalm 32:1, 2 NKJV “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the L ORD does not impute iniquity, and whose spirit there is no guile.” Hope Against Depression 3. Relief From Depression—2

19. The Need for Forgiveness {86} The guilt produced by unconfessed sins may become extremely painful. The expressions used by David are a clear indication of intense inward pain. Psalm 32 and other passages in Psalms show the severity of David’s emotional distress. When we meet sufferers of depression, we must be extremely careful not to blame them for not having confessed their sins!

20. Many people seem to be able to offer concern and understanding to those suffering from an organic malady, true clinical depression, but tend to be quite judgmental in dealing with mental or emotional turmoil brought about by their own wrong actions. At the same time, too, there are people who, having confessed their sins, still suffer greatly from a sense of guilt. 3. Relief From Depression—2 The Need for Forgiveness {86}

21. They feel unworthy of forgiveness and lament the horrible suffering that they have brought through their sins, even though they have confessed and are, by faith, forgiven by God. This, too, can be a great source of emotional distress. In such cases, it’s important to focus on God’s promises of healing and of acceptance, even for the worst of sins. 3. Relief From Depression—2 The Need for Forgiveness {86}

22. The conclusive ingredient to survival in the middle of a crisis is hope. Hope is essential to living our lives with a reasonable amount of mental health. Living with zero hope leads to meaninglessness and death. 3. Relief From Depression—2 Hope Against Distress {88} The kind of hope presented in the Bible goes beyond positive anticipation. It encompasses an eventual perfect solution and salvation based on redemption through Jesus Christ.

23. Hope Against Depression Final Words {90} Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow “ ‘to the point of death’ ” (Matthew 26:38, NIV). Visualize the agony of Jesus, with lack of social support and betrayal from His disciples, seeming separation from God, and the load of guilt from humanity. His suffering exceeds any depressive episode experienced by mortals.