Helpfinder Sampler - Flipbook - Page 8
. . . He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
What
kinds
things should
thearechurch
do?weak and discouraged, carried in his arms.
God
has aof
shepherd’s
heart. We
his lambs,
T H EW
8 - 2 0Lord
| Jesus
camea and
toldrefuge
his disciples,
“I have
been He
given
all authority
NAAT
H UM
1 : 72 8| : 1The
is good,
strong
when trouble
comes.
is close
to thosein
•M
heaven
and
earth.
Therefore,
go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
(See note
on page 828.)
who trust
in on
him.
in
the name
ofgood
the Father
the Sonhis
andloved
the Holy
Spirit. Teach these new disciples to
A God
who is
wantsand
to comfort
ones.
obey all the commands I have given you.”
How
comfort
T S 1 I3 :2
- 3 | Oneothers?
day . . . the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the
• ACcan
to which
I have
called
them.”
So of
after
fasting
andsuffered,
prayer, the
J O B 2 :1 work
1 | When
three
of Job’s
friends
heard
themore
tragedy
he had
theymen
got laid
• special
their
hands
them and
sent
them
on their
way. and console him. (See note on page 453.)
together
andontraveled
from
their
homes
to comfort
Some
of be
thewith
primary
of the
church
are Just
to bring
thethere
Goodspeaks
News volumes
of salvation
to those
You can
themjobs
in their
time
of need.
being
about
how
who haven’t
heard it and help them become believers, baptize them, and teach them
much
you care.
God’s truth.
C
• J O B 2 1 :2 | “Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me.”
• AC T S 2 :4 2 - 4 4 | All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to
You can be a good listener. It is usually more important for you to listen than to talk.
fellowship, and to sharing in meals. . . . And all the believers met together in one place and
UT H 2 :everything
1 3 | “I hope
I continue
to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by
• Rshared
they
had.
speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.”
Key functions of the church include teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
HelpFinder
R I N T H I A N S 1 4 :3 | But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and
• 12 CT IOMOT
H Y 4 :2 | Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or
•
comforts them.
not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
You can speak kind and encouraging words.
There is a special and unique role for the church to teach and preach—the public procla-
2 C O R I Nof
T HGod’s
I A N S 1Word.
:3 - 4 | All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our
• mation
thecare
source
of all
comfort.
us intoall
ourfor
troubles
T I MOT HFather
Y 5 :3 and
| Take
of any
widow
whoHe
hascomforts
no one else
care
her. so that we
• 1merciful
can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort
• J A M ES 5 :1 4 | Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and
God has given us.
pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.
Remember the ways God has comforted you, and model that same comfort to others.
The church should pray for its members who are facing adversity and take special care of
When you have experienced God’s assuring love, his guiding wisdom, and his sustaining
widows, orphans, and those in need.
power, you are able to comfort others with understanding. The comforted become the
comforters.
How can we have hope for the church?
C O R I N T H I A N S 1 :7 | We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also
•• 2M AT
T H EW 1 6 : 1 8 | “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will
share
in the comfort
God gives us. (See note on page 1047.)
not
conquer
it.”
A great privilege of believers is to share the vulnerability of offering comfort and underThe church will not be overcome; Jesus promises that he will build his church. The Lord is
standing to one another. If you see vulnerability as a negative thing, you will always have
using the church as his divine instrument to overcome evil with good.
trouble sharing with others. If you see it as a way to deeper and healthier relationships,
youif will
learn like
to develop
it.
What
I don’t
the church
I’m attending or the people in it?
PH IMA
L EMO
:7, 1| 6Your
lovejust
haspretend
given metomuch
joy andReally
comfort,
brother,
for your
•
N S N1 21:9
| Don’t
love others.
lovemy
them.
. . . Hold
tightly
• RO
kindness
often
the hearts
God’sother.
people.
to
what ishas
good.
. . .refreshed
Live in harmony
withofeach
Don’t be too proud to enjoy the
You
can comfort
others
with kind
company
of ordinary
people.
And actions.
don’t think you know it all!
It’s easy to like people who are likable. But you model God’s love when you serve those
Canwho
I get
comfortable?
aretoo
annoying.
You’ll never find a perfect church; you’ll never find a perfect group
people—even
Christians!
So don’t
looking
for his
that.
Instead,
make
sureof his
GE N
ES I S 1 9 :1 6 | among
When Lot
still hesitated,
thego
angels
seized
hand
and the
hands
• of
you are
a church
is teaching
right doctrine
has (See
a place
forpage
you18.)
to
note on
wife
andattending
two daughters
andthat
rushed
them to safety
outside and
the city.
serve. Then take joy in reaching out to and loving those God has placed in your circle
There is a difference between comfort and being comfortable. When we get too comfortof influence.
able, we can lose our zeal for God and become useless to him.
PROMISE FROM GOD
What
can I take comfort in?
J OAT
H NT H3EW
: 1 6 1|6 :“For
is how
world:
He gaveand
his all
onethe
and
only Son,
so will
that
1 8 | this
“Upon
thisGod
rockloved
I willthe
build
my church,
powers
of hell
•M
everyone
who
believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
not
conquer
it.”
When
you arecomfort
weak, you
more receptive
to the
Lord’s from
strength.
When
is
Our
greatest
is inare
knowing
that we can
be saved
sin and
liveeverything
eternally with
goinginyour
way,where
it’s easy
hand in
yourdisappeared.
life. As God works through your
God
heaven,
all to
sinoverlook
and fearGod’s
and trouble
have
weakness, however, you learn to depend more on him and recognize and be grateful for
the
P R good
O M I work
S E Sthat
F Ronly
O Mhe Gcan
O Daccomplish in you.
How
help someone
is to
depressed?
ALM I34:18
| The Lord who
is close
the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are
• P Scan
2 CORIN THIAN S 1:4 | He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
• crushed.
they
areStroubled,
wemore
will be
tofor
give
them the
the more
sameGod
comfort
God hasusgiven
CORIN
THIAN
1:5 | The
weable
suffer
Christ,
will shower
withus.
his
• 2When
page
A89
comfort
through
Christ.
P
ROV
ERBS
25:20
|
Singing
cheerful
songs
to
a
person
with
a
heavy
heart
is
like
taking
•
someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
happy
with
those
who
are happy,
and weep
with
those who weep.
Depression
also
Burnout;
Encouragement;
Grief;
Loneliness;
• ROMAN S 12:15 | BeSee
Commitment
See
also
Accountability;
Discipline;
Faithfulness
The best way to help someone who is down is to model the gentle, caring love of Christ.
Self-Esteem
The Those
achievement
any
goal or purpose
requires
forand
good
or for
dealing of
with
depression
need comfort
andcommitment—whether
understanding, not advice
lectures.
Sooner
later
most
ofof
us
experience
some
form
ofquiet
depression.
It your
canways:
descend
can
help
people
who
are depressed
by
your
presence,
love,“committing”
and slowly,
your like
evil. You
Theor
Bible
speaks
commitment
in both
negative
and
positive
the
of an evening
can
overwhelm
an avalanche
of
darkness.
can be
encouragement.
Telling
them
to
“snap
out
of it”like
or you
minimizing
their
pain
by
falseIt37:5).
cheeriness
a sincoming
(Deuteronomy
22:22)rain.
andIt“commit
everything
do to the
Lord”
(Psalm
the
result
ofmake
a realinvolves
situation
of failure
or loss,
orturning
itinstances
can invade
our
minds
for
no discernible
will
just
them
feelmaking
worse.
are also
where
you
lovingly
suggest
Each
alternative
aThere
decision,
oneself
over
tocan
something
or somereason.
The
includes
stories
of
people
who experienced
depression
ofnegative
allother
kinds,
and
get Bible
professional
help
from
a trained
counselor.
God
often
works through
people
one,they
a focused
and
sometimes
costly
perseverance,
and then
reaping
the
toofprovide
the
help
someone
parts
Scripture
written
byneeds.
people
much likecommitment
depression. and
The
consequences
or were
positive
rewards
of ourexperiencing
commitment.feelings
Understanding
good
news
is that God
notminds,
regardand
depression
sin buttorather
those
learning
to commit
our does
hearts,
bodies isascentral
a liferesponds
of faith. Intofact,
faith
Are
feelings
of depression
sin?
who
suffer
its darkness
with
great
tenderness, understanding, and compassion.
devoid
of commitment
is
dead.
AIAH 24:16 | We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to
• ISam
How
I vulnerable to depression?
Whythe
isRighteous
commitment
so my
important?
One! But
heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit
KIN GS 19:3- 4 | Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . Then he went on alone into the
• 1still
prevails,
treachery
is everywhere.
25:10 and
| The
Lord leads
with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his
• P S ALM
wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he
Becomingand
angry
and
when you see the sin of a terrible crime can leave you
covenant
obey
hisoutraged
demands.
might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my
depressed
about
all the evil
the world.
This
notlead
a sin.
When
you are
committed
to in
following
God,
heiswill
you to his will for your life,
ancestors.”
(See note on page 321.)
satisfying
fulfilling
for which
he and
has saw
created
you. people wailing with her . . .
JOHN
11:33 | and
When
Jesus goal
saw her
weeping
the other
• the
You can be especially vulnerable to depression after a major victory. Elijah had just
heS ALM
was deeply
P
31:23
|troubled.
For thefifty
Lord
protectsofthose
are loyal
him.several mighty miracles,
• defeated
four hundred
prophets
Baal who
and seen
Godto
work
| committed
“Now
soul
is deeply
Should
I pray,
saveand
me
fromafter
this
When
you
to God,
he istroubled.
committed
to watching
outemotional
for you
caring
• JOHN
yet
he12:27
wasare
afraid
andmy
depressed.
Between
his exhaustion
and ‘Father,
his
swing
for
you.
the
high
of this
victory,
hevery
wasreason
susceptible
to depression.
hour’?
But
is the
I came!”
Jesus
others
grieving
when
he
faced
thekissed
cross,
he
felt
deeplycontinually
troubled
or
| saw
again
they
wept
together,
and
Orpah
her
good-bye.
SUTH
ALM1:14
42:35And
| Day
and
night
I and
have
only tears
for food,
while
mymother-in-law
enemies
• PRWhen
quite
“low.”
It istightly
natural
feel
low
in of
theyours?”
backwash
of troubled
times.as
Since
Jesus cannot
taunt
me,clung
saying,
“Where
is
this
God
My heart
is breaking
I remember
how
But
Ruth
totoNaomi.
sin,
to feel
low.is.or
depressed
cannot
be a Why
sin. Itiscan
be a result
of sin or become a sin if
it used
to be.
.the
Why
ammark
I discouraged?
my heart
so sad?
Commitment
true
of friendship.
D
C
Good friends
are a about
wonderful
but
When
you wonder
your gift,
plans
forfellowship
the future.at church among other believers is unique
because the living God is in your midst. The church brings people together who have a
perspective
on life.
Christian himself
fellowshipinprovides
a place
of honest sharing about
Willcommon
God really
take time
to involve
my little
problems?
the things that really matter, encouragement to stay strong in the face of temptation and
SA I A H 4 0 : 1 1 | He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms.
• Ipersecution,
and unique wisdom to deal with problems.
2 CORIN
6:37
THIAN
| “Those
S 12:9 the
| “My
Father
power
has works
given me
bestwill
in come
weakness.”
to me, and I will never reject them.”
• JOHN
HelpFinder
H ESNSSA8L:2
O N8 I A| NAnd
S 5 : 11
we know
| So encourage
that God causes
each other
everything
and build
to work
eachtogether
other up,for
just
theasgood
you
• 1ROTMA
are
already
of those
whodoing.
love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
D
Church continued
Comfort
continued
page A59
A91
you blame God, use it against God, or leave God out of your antidote.
often
comes
fromnever
looking
backward
whatfaith,
you is
have
lost.hopeful, and endures
CORIN THIAN
S 13:7
| Love
gives
up, neveratloses
always
• 1Depression
ROMAN Severy
7:19-circumstance.
24 | I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong,
• through
PROMISES FROM GOD
but I do it anyway.
if I do of
what
want
to do, I am not really the one doing wrong;
Commitment
is theBut
evidence
loveI don’t
for one
another.
sin 40:2
living|inHe
melifted
that me
does
it.of
. .the
. I love
God’s
law with
allset
mymy
heart.
thereground
is another
out
pit of
despair.
. . . He
feet But
on solid
and
• PitSisALM
What
are within
the
a my
committed
power
meI walked
that is at
war of
with
mind. Thisperson?
power makes me a slave to the sin that
steadied
mecharacteristics
as
along.
isROV
stillERBS
within
me.||Oh,
what
aguides
miserable
person
I am!
Who
fromand
thiscarry
life that
is
11:3
Honesty
people.
•
11:28
Then
Jesus
said,good
“Come
to me,
all of
youwill
whofree
areme
weary
heavy
• PMATTHEW
dominated
byI sin
and
A
loyal person
is trustworthy,
and therefore honest.
burdens,
and
will
givedeath?
you rest.”
can11:18
occur |when
you
realize
howthrough
wide the
is between
ideal
youwater
strive
1 CHRON ICLES
So the
Three
broke
thegap
Philistine
lines,the
drew
some
• Depression
for
and
reality
you
seeinwithin
and around
you. This
can create
a great sense of loss.
from
thethe
well
by the
gate
Bethlehem,
and brought
it back
to David.
See also
Discipline;
Lust;
Motives;
Self-Control;
Sexuality;
26:36| Addiction;
Then
Jesus
went
with
them
to
olive grove
called Gethsemane,
• MATTHEW
A loyal person
will39make
great
personal
sacrifices
forthe
friends.
Temptation;
Vulnerability
and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” . . . He told them, “My soul is crushed
• P ROV ERBS 17:17 | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of
with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little
All ofneed.
us are created with a capacity to desire. Desire can be healthy or unhealthy, godly
farther and
bowed
with his face
to the
ground,
praying, simple,
“My Father!
it is possible, let this
or ungodly,
casual
or intense.
We can
desire
something
like aIf home-cooked
A loyal person
doesn’t
abandon
a relationship
when things
tough.
cup
suffering
be taken
away from
Yet I want
willget
to consumes
be
done, notus.
mine.”
meal,
orofdevelop
a burning
passion
forme.
a cause
that your
eventually
Some
Desires
Depression
can come
from
being
byGod?
Godatoperson
do an extraordinarily
task
and
desires
fuel passions
to
heat, asked
even to
driving
to violence or hard
crime
to satisfy
What
does
it mean
to white
be
committed
realizing
what
maytells
have totosuffer
to doa it.
those
desires.
Theyou
Bible
desire—to
hunger
4:1920
| Jesus us
calleddevelop
out to them,
“Come, follow
me,and
andthirst—for
I will showthe
youLord.
how
• MATTHEW
Sfish
AMUEL
16:14
|
Now
the
Spirit
of
the
Lord
hadhim
left
and the
sent
tormenting
It is
good
and
holy
to
desire
God,
to
long
to at
know
personally,
toLord
come
toalove
him
• 1to
(See note on page 863.)
for people!” And they left their nets
once
andSaul,
followed
him.
deeply.
is also
good
to desire
spiritIt that
filled
him and
with holy
depression
andthe
fear.best for our families and friends, to hunger
Commitment to follow God requires a decision of the mind followed by an act of the will.
to share
with others,
to to
help
bless
theheneedy
oppressed,
and to know
WhenChrist
you neglect
the Lord
theand
point
where
can noand
longer
get your attention,
then he
S ALM
37:5
| Commit
everything
you do desires
to the
note on
page 498.)
• Pmay
God’s
Word.
Learning
control
unhealthy
and (See
nurture
healthy
ones room
is a lifelong
neglect
you
forto
a while,
and
depression
canLord.
move
easily
into
the vacant
in your
quest
thatERBS
hasfarther
eternal
implications.
P ROV
3:6
| Seek
[God’s]
willGod,
in allthe
youless
do,hope
and he
will
show
whichthe
path
The
you
move
from
you
have
of you
receiving
joytooftake.
his
• heart.
blessings.
• JEREMIAH 8:18 | My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken.
HelpFinder
page A58
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