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Mental Illness

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17 November, 2019Pastor Mark SchultzShhh...we don't talk about that

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Living Out Loud
LifeGroup Guide

Turn and look at the person next to you. Do you relize that according the statistics, one of you will experience mental health issues sometime within your life. Have you ever felt paralysed by anxiety or experienced the depths of despair? Or maybe you know someone else who has? Mental illness can be a very lonely, isolating experience, both for those who are going through it, and loved ones who see them suffering. Despite all the advances in treatment, despite all the ways in which our culture has become more enlightened and compassionate, somehow mental illness remains in a category of its own, regarded as some sort of peculiar affliction that is best dealt with by toughing it out, picking themselves up and getting out of it, or pretending that everything is ok. Many are embarrassed to speak about it, especially in the Church, where for too long we have been silent about mental illness. We have let people suffer in silence, and alone without the support of the community to get alongside, support and encourage them in the deep places of the soul. It's time for that to change. Today we will encounter a God who will never abandon us in suffering but love us with an everlasting love and draws us up out of a desolate pit.


#3 in series: Shhh, we don't talk about


THEME VERSE:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4



REMEMBER THIS WEEK

The pain of mental illness is real.

But there is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

And love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing in Jesus.

He will meet you, wherever you are.



FAITH TALK

1  Why do you think people don’t talk about mental illness?

2  Why do you think the Church has been silent on mental illness?

3  What’s the darkest time that you have ever experienced in your life and what did you think about God in that moment?

Bible Readings

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

More from 'Shhh...we don't talk about that'

Domestic Violence

10 November, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Domestic or Family Violence is hidden behind many closed doors, in places that should be a sanctuary. The statistics are frightening, it's impact devastating. A survey of domestic violence in Australia shows that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced at least one incident of violence from a current or former partner since the age of 15. IOne woman is killed every week as a result of violence in the home. Police respond to a domestic violence incident every 2 minutes. It's not a problem that we can ignore, be ignorant of, or silent about especially in the Church. God created the church to continue his work on earth and to be the vehicle for bringing his love and life to the world. He gave his Word, not be used as a weapon against those who suffer or as a means to control, but so it could be a shield for everyone in need of refuge and strength. Join us as we continue to look at how we can be a place of grace where healing can begin.

#2 in series: Shhh we don't talk about that

THEME VERSE:

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 4:6-8a

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

God cares about what has happened to you and is happening to you now. If you are being abused, we believe you. Jesus invites you to find comfort in his arms. If you are the abuser, know that this behaviour is unacceptable. Always. No asterisks. Jesus invites you to find forgiveness in him through repentance. For the home is a reflection of God's image, designed to be a sanctuary and safe place, characterized by tender strength, courageous protection, self-giving devotion, compassionate mercy, gentle nurture and unfailing love. May it be so in your home.

FAITH TALK

1. What do you understand by the term 'Domestic Violence.

2. Why do you think the Church has been silent for so long on the issue of domestic violence?

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The Church's Failures

3 November, 2019 Pastor Mark Simpfendorfer

The Church's failures’. We don't have to look far to find them. We’ve seen them. We've experienced them. The media have highlighted them for all the world to see. There's abuse from those in power, both physical and spiritual. There's the cover-ups and secrecy that have ensued. There's the failure to respond to people's needs, or minister effectively. The failure to speak the truth or show compassion when called for. How do we view the failures of the Church? Or when the people of God fail to live up to the standards they proclaim? How do you respond when the Church fails you, disappoints you, lets you down? What happens when people come to Church to find Jesus and sometimes all they find is us. Today, we are not going to be quiet but open up and talk honestly about 'The Church's failures.'

#1 in series: Shhh...we don't talk about that

THEME VERSE:

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:15-16

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

When the Church fails, Christ does not.

When the Church hurts, Christ does not.

When the Church s unmoved, Christ is not.

When the Church is absent, Christ is not.

Scandal may rock the Church, bring the good news into disrepute, or even close the doors for Gospel work

but it will never frustrate Christ's unchanging purpose or his mighty power to build a people through whom he is at work to bring justice, love, mercy and healing to the world.

FAITH TALK

1. When you hear of the Church’s failure, how does it affect you as a Christian?

2. How does it affect the way you relate to God?

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