Chapter 2

Can a person who suffers from depression or mental illness really be a Christian?

Downloadable Study Guide

Study Questions

• Does this chapter challenge any of your views on mental health and its impact? 

• Do you believe your church has engaged well on the topic of mental health? Why or why not? 

• How could the church better engage the issue of mental health and support individuals suffering from a mental illness? 

• What does it look like to “weep with those who weep” and stand alongside somebody who is struggling with mental illness? 

• What are the dangers of regarding mental illnesses as purely a spiritual issue or purely a neurological issue? 

• What are the dangers of regarding mental illnesses as only a neurological issue? 

Related Scripture

• Psalm 13

• Psalm 34

• Lamentations 3

• Jonah 2

• Matthew 6:25–34

• Romans 8:18–39

• 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

• Philippians 4:4–13

• 1 Peter 5:6–11

Resources

• Article: What is Joy?

• Article: The Purpose of Prayer

• Article: Christian Clichés are Damaging the Church 

• Video: Encouraging Healthy Grieving 

• Video: What are the Consequences of Silencing Our Grief? 

Related Reading

• The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis 

• A Grief Observed, C. S. Lewis 

• No More Faking Fine, Esther Fleece 

• Troubled Minds, Amy Simpson 

• Christians Get Depressed Too, David Murray 

• Finding Quiet, J.P. Moreland 

• Grace for the Afflicted, Matthew Stanford 

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