RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual For April 9, 2023 Lesson 32: Topic – Mental Health

3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: The Bible does not explicitly speak on the topic of mental health. However, it does have a lot to say about the heart, mind, and the condition of the soul. Health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well being: it’s not just the absence of disease or infirmity. Mental health is important, as it affects the whole being (Prov. 4:23). This lesson addresses mental issues and possible solution.

TEXT REVIEW: 1KINGS 19:1-4

Praying for death is like a suicide attempt as we could see Elijah vehemently asking the Lord to take away his life in this passage (vs 4).

The teacher should identify the reason Elijah slipped into this kind of kind of state of mind (or so depressed).

LESSON OUTLINE

1. MENTAL HEALTH DEFINED
2. CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

1. MENTAL HEALTH DEFINED

i. The teacher should find out what the students understand by “being healthy” “being unhealthy” and “mental illness”

ii. The teacher should define Mental Health according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as follows:
“A state of well-being in which every individual can carry out four roles:
a. Realise his/her potentials
b. Cope with the normal stress of life
c. Work productively
d. Participate meaningfully in the community.

iii. The teacher should define mental ill-health as follows:
“A psychological disorder affecting one’s mood, thinking, and behaviour”.
v. The teacher should further state that mental ill-health includes a broad state of disorders that spans from mild depression to schizophrenia
vi. The teacher should explain the meaning of schizophrenia as a condition that impairs a person’s ability to think, feel, process, and respond, etc, to life situations in an appropriate way.
vii. The teacher should point out that mental illness can distort our view of God, others, and contribute to sinful behaviours.
viii. Teacher should cite some examples of emotional issues/mental illness in the Bible as follows:
a. Depression (1Kgs. 19:1-4; Jonah 4:3),
b. Loneliness (1Kgs. 19:10),
c. Hopelessness (1kgs. 17:9-12),
d. Suicide (Matt. 27:5),
e. Rejection (1Sam. 18:7-8),
f. Insanity (Mk. 5:1-5), etc.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Teacher should ask the students to mention some dangers of mental illness to the individual and society at large.

2. CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

A. CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS

The teacher should identify the under listed items as some of the factors that can lead to Mental ill-health and comment briefly on them.
i. Child abuse (Prov. 17:22b),
ii. Trauma/neglect (2Sam. 13:19),
iii. Loneliness (1Kgs. 19:10),
iv. Discrimination/oppression (Jam. 2:6),
v. Poverty (Prov. 10:15),
vi. Death/loss of loved one (2Sam. 18:33),
vii. Debt (Prov. 22:7),
viii. Loss of courage/low self-esteem (Num.13:33),
ix. Stress/heavy workload (1Sam. 30:4,6),
x. Difficulty/Challenges (Gen. 34:30),
xi. Spiritual forces (1Sam.16:14)

B. SOLUTION TO MENTAL ILL-HEALTH

i. People should understand that failure and challenges are part of human life and should therefore prepare for them (Prov. 24:16; Rom. 8:28; Jam. 1:2-4).
ii. Investing in good social networks and godly relationships are important (2Sam. 9:1).
iii. Loneliness and isolation which are risk factors for depression and suicidal behaviour should be avoided (Prov. 17:22).
iv. Good sleep helps the brain restore itself (Lk. 8:23a).
v. Regular exercise expunges toxic chemicals from the body (1Tim 4:8).
vi. Drug abuse (Self-medication) is not an option for good health.
vii. Healthy thoughts are necessary always (Phil. 4:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2
The teacher should ask the students to mention briefly how believers can live a peaceful, fulfilled and healthy life (Gen. 25:8, Jeremiah 29:11)

SUMMARY
God’s desire for all His children is to be healthy, body, soul, and spirit

CONCLUSION
Good mental health is necessary for good daily living. Therefore, take care of your health (Body, soul, and spirit).

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, heal your children who are battling with mental Ill health in the name of Jesus.

ASSIGNMENT
Identify five (5) Bible characters (in line with lesson outline 1) who had emotional issues and indicate the outcome of their issue whether POSITIVE or NEGATIVE (2×5=10Marks).

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?