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Breakout Session
Helping Those Who
Are Struggling
With Depression
I. Definition of Depression
Depression is a debilitating
mood, feeling, or attitude of
hopelessness which becomes
a person’s reason for not
handling the most important
issues of life.
I. Definition of Depression
Questions to ask:
- Is the counselee handling
life Biblically?
- Have they stopped
functioning because of
bad feelings?
- Are they immobile in some
significant area of life?
II. Depression – physical vs.
spiritual
a. There are bodily diseases
which can produce
depression-like symptoms
b. There is no proof that
chemical imbalances cause
depression
II. Depression – physical vs.
spiritual
c. Depression itself can
produce physical symptoms
d. In general, the most Biblical
approach is to address the
physical difficulties as
symptoms of the problem,
not necessarily as the
problem itself.
II. Depression – physical vs.
spiritual
e. Medical treatments do not
always provide the best or
only answers.
III. Causes of Depression
a.There are external factors
that contribute toward
depression
- Other people
- The curse on creation
- Bodily changes or
maladies
III. Causes of Depression
- Misery in our work
- The reality of death
- The schemes of Satan
III. Causes of Depression
b. Limited role of these
factors
- These external factors are
usually necessary for
depression to occur, but
they are not sufficient to
cause depression
IV. The role of interpretation in
depression
a. The downward spiral of
depression
b. The role of worship
IV. The role of interpretation in
depression
c. The depravity of the heart
- Pride
- Independence
- Coveting
V. Addressing Depression
a. Address the motivation of
the heart
We need to ask heart
questions, avoiding trying
to merely change behavior.
V. Addressing Depression
b. Change the way you think
- God has provided answers
to human problems,
including the problem of
depression
- There is hope for every
Christian
V. Addressing Depression
- We need an altered view
of trials
- We need to think
differently about feelings
- Every person must
discipline his thoughts
V. Addressing Depression
c. Change the way you speak
- Cry out to God
- Express thanks and avoid
complaining
V. Addressing Depression
d. Change the way you act
- Repent from any known
sin associated with your
depression
- Obey despite your feelings
- Use a schedule and set goals
V. Addressing Depression
- Employ Scripture memory
- Seek accountability and
fellowship
- Serve God and others