What's on my mind: (4/8/96)

For those who care and those who don't
I came across this Bible study I did last year, and thought it would be a good thing to share.

Paul: Depression as a Tool in God's Hand

(To Walk and Not Grow Weary from NAVPRESS)

Abiding Principle A godly response to potentially depressing circumstances can attract non-believers to Christ and give credibility to the gospel message.

"People today tell us that they are realistic and practical. They say that they are not interested in doctrine, and not interested to listen very much to what we say, but if they see a body of people who seem to have something that enables them to triumph over life, they become interested at once."

-- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

SNAPSHOT The apostle Paul wrote the letter we call Second Corinthians from somewhere in Macedonia while on his third missionary journey in the middle 50's A.D. This letter is Paul's most intensely personal correspondence. It gives us a rare and exciting window into the personality and emotions of this seemingly tireless servant of God. One major theme in this letter is suffering and its tremendous value in the life of the Christian.

SCRIPTURE 2 Corinthians 1:1-14, 4:1-18, 12:7-11

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. One of Paul's favorite teaching methods was his supporting of major points by citing examples from his own life or Scripture passages from the Old Testament. Summarize the central truth of 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, and then note how Paul illustrated that truth in verses 8-10.

Central Truth:




Paul's Illustration:




2. Describe in your own words how Paul felt while in Asia (1:8)




3. But what was Paul's conclusion about despair in 2 Corinthians 4:8?




4. This apparent contradiction regarding despair actually contains a tremendous lesson about the place of depression in the plan of God. The Greek verbs for "despair" in both these passages are identical. However, in 2 Corinthians 1:8 the force of the verb indicates that it happened at that time and then ended, whereas in 4:8 the despair is referred to as an ongoing pattern of behavior. In light of this, what is Paul actually saying about the Christian and despair?




What encouragement can you draw from this truth?






5. What was God's purpose behind the circumstances that surrounded Paul in Asia? (1:8-10)






6. In what way is this truth actually a prerequisite for what Paul discussed in 1:3-4?




7. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul discussed another personal hardship that came directly from the hand of God. What was Paul saying in this passage about the relationship between our personal struggles and our effective ministry to others?




8. Many Christians can think of an incident in which God has done something through them at a moment of total weakness or failure. Take a few minutes to reflect on this principle; then write out an incident from your own life where you have seen this principle at work.






9. Meditate on the following Scriptures (read them slowly and thoughtfully) and record your insights about the benefits of a proper response to your struggles.

Proverbs 19:3




Proverbs 25:4




Zechariah 8:23




Romans 2:23-24




10. Summarize your findings on how depression can actually be a tool of God.






11. Examine your own life. Is there a situation you are facing that is painful? Perhaps you have been holding God at arm's length instead of radically depending on Him. Think of creative ways you can draw the Lord into your painful situation, with a vision of being able in the future to be a channel of His comfort to someone in a similar difficulty. Write down what you plan to do, and then write yourself a note to remind you to keep your commitment.






SCRIPTURE MEMORY

Pain with a purpose -- Proverbs 25:4, 2 Corinthians 1:9