Asking For A Friend - Does God Care About My Mental Health?

Small Group Objective

Facilitate a conversation around mental health and how God DOES care about how we feel and things that we face daily. GOD DOES CARE ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH. 

Introduction

Let’s start by acknowledging something that many of us deal with, mental health. Whether it's stress from school, feelings of anxiety, or just the ups and downs of life, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But here's the good news—God cares deeply about our mental health! In the Bible, we see countless examples of how God is not only aware of our struggles but also wants to walk alongside us in them. From the Psalms, where David pours out his feelings of despair, to Jesus inviting the weary to find rest in Him. Even in 1st Kings we’ll see that Elijah was afraid, he was alone and wanted to die. But God gave him food, companionship, and safety.  

Scripture shows us that it's okay to not be okay. God understands our pain and wants to help us navigate through it.

Key Verses

1 Kings 19:1-9 

1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai,  the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

Key Points

Questions

1. What’s a negative thought or feeling that you struggle with that you haven’t given to Jesus? 
   1. Example- fear, anxiety, depression, worry, shame, guilt, self-doubt, etc. 
2. From the message today, what steps can we take to ask for help from God and from others? (Our leaders, parents, etc.)
3. In what ways do you think God's love and support can change our perspective during tough times? 
   1. Can you share a moment when you felt that support in your own life?
4. How can recognizing God's presence in our darkest moments help us find purpose in our pain? 
   1. In what ways can our struggles with mental health lead us to deeper spiritual growth and empathy for others?