RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP / BIBLE STUDY
All Leader Resources
Devotions, guides, tips and other materials that can be used to facilitate a greater awareness and understanding of mental health and the Church.
Article
I’m a Pastor With Depression
It is can be difficult to admit you have depression when you are a pastor. Here is one pastor's story.
Preaching on Mental Health
Read about Rev. Shane Moore's experience introducing mental health to his congregation.
Bible Studies
Grace for the Afflicted Discussion Guide
This discussion guide can be used as a Bible study that will help individuals and churches not just broaden their perspective about mental health, but USE their perspective to help themselves and others. It is intended to be used alongside the book Grace for the Afflicted.
Let’s Talk! Breaking the Silence around Mental Illness in Our Communities of Faith
Let this study be the beginning of opening up to one another in a safe environment about mental health issues.
Healing Community
This 12-week curriculum for small groups on the topic of mental health is based on the core concept that healing and wellness for those struggling with mental health concerns happens in community. It specifically explores how God is at work bringing healing into our lives through the Gospel and participation in community within the Church. The curriculum helps guide small groups into meaningful conversations as it explores six practices of healing community as outlined in Scripture. Originally designed by leaders at Broadway Christian Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, this small group curriculum can easily be adapted for an engaging Bible study at any church.
Let’s Talk: Alcohol Use & Abuse Youth Study
The issue of alcohol use and abuse is one which touches every person in your group in some way—whether it is a parent, a brother a sister, a friend or that person who has the problem. In this piece, you will explore the problem of alcohol abuse among teenagers. Youth will gain understanding for the reasons that people may begin to use or abuse alcohol and will seek alternative sources of support. Youth will be encouraged to help those around them who are troubled by alcohol or other chemical abuse. Finally, youth will discuss ways to have fun in life without alcohol.
Gospel Relief for the Despairing: Speaking Christian Comfort to the Depressed and Suicidal
This downloadable resource contains practical advice in sections 1 and 2 for pastors and other church workers who counsel congregation members experiencing despair. Section 3 contains a Bible study that can be used in one-on-one counseling with individuals. The Bible study could also be adapted for use in a small group Bible study setting.
I Trust When Dark My Road
This free downloadalbe book offers a rare glimpse into one LCMS pastor’s personal journey through depression while remaining reliant upon God’s grace. There are some discussion questions that can be used as part of a Bible study on mental illness/depression with congregation members or with church staff as part of a staff devotion/Bible study.
Bulletin Inserts/Media
Suicide Prevention Communication Aids
These resources will help you communicate with your members about the Faith.Hope.Life.campaign. They may be used without permission, either in their current form, or as you choose to modify them to suit the culture, language, and customs of your particular faith community. These materials conform to Faith.Hope.Life. editorial guidelines; however, the theological or spiritual perspective of each is that of the contributor or the author and not necessarily that of the Action Alliance or the Faith Communities Task Force.
Free Mental Health Bulletin Inserts
This webpage from The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation, Advocate Aurora Health, contains a variety of bulletin inserts on mental wellness related topics that can be added to your congregation’s bulletins and newsletters.
Widen the Welcome Bulletin Insert
5 simple things your congregation can do to make people with mental illness feel welcome in your church. From the UCC.
Bulletin Inserts from Mental Health Ministries
The Mental Health Ministries website has several bulletin inserts related to a variety of mental health topics.
Prayers
How to Lament
Easy-to-use resource that helps you cry out to God when you are in pain. Also available in Spanish.
Christian Litanies Addressing the Issue of Suicide
Christian litanies addressing suicide, from Action Alliance.
Litanies and Prayers Relating to Suicide
Litanies, blessings and prayers for those contemplating suicide.
Sermons
A Mental Health Sermon, by Rev. Gabe Kasper
Being vulnerable to admit you have depression is difficult enough, but it is often more difficult when you are a pastor. Rev. Gabe Kasper, LCMS pastor in Ann Arbor, MI, shares his personal story of depression and offers a sermon on mental illness pointing us to the hope we have in Christ.
Sermon Starters Shared by Christians and Jews
Scripture ideas with short commentaries about Biblical characters in their most discouraging times and how they eventually found a path toward a fruitful and productive life with God.
Preaching Hope in the Darkness: Help for Pastors in Addressing Suicide from the Pulpit
How can a preacher best address suicide from the pulpit? This book provides wise advice on a range of topics, including suicide prevention, funeral sermon preparation, and post-crisis care.
Mental Health Sermon Sermon #1: Suicide and the Brain
Addresses mental illness as a disease of the brain that sometimes leads to suicide and how churches can respond in light of this perspective.
Mental Health Sermon #3: Depression and the Brain
Addresses the topic of how to help a friend who has depression, and what it means to bear one another's burdens.
Toolkits/Guidebooks
Mental Health Toolkit from The Lutheran Foundation
Find a variety of resources - including litanies, hymns and praise songs, prayers, camera-ready graphics and sermons - to support your church's mental health ministry.
Mental Illness and Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond
This tool is designed to be used with clergy, members of congregations, family members and anyone desiring to learn more about mental illness and how to respond with compassion and care. It can be used as a small group study or as a resource to quickly find information on a specific topic when the need arises.