In gospel-centered mentoring, we aim to help mentees become wholehearted followers of Jesus in four different realms: the spiritual, physical, emotional, and social/vocational. Generally, it seems the most difficult realm to address is the emotional. One reason for this may be that many modern Christians don’t have a clear and accurate picture how the Bible addresses issues of mental health.
While mentors and coaches are not professional counselors and should never take on that role (unless they have been trained in it), it is helpful for them to have a Biblical understanding of mental health so they can better coach their clients in the emotional realm and refer clients to mental health care professionals when appropriate.
That’s why we are so excited to share a nine-part sermon series called “Help and Hope for our Mental Health” from my coach, Pastor Daron Lindemann. We pray that this deep dive into mental health and the gospel encourages you personally and blesses your mentoring.
Pastor Daron’s Recommended Christian Mental Health Books
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Deep as the Sea by Pastor Timothy Bourman
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Carry Your Own Backpack by Holly Schneider
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A Guide to Mental and Emotional Wellness by Dr. Jennifer Londgren
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Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
NOTES
Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you? (Lamentations 2:13)?
Trauma is a word that comes from the Greek language. It means “wound.”
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70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
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Around 15 million people annually are diagnosed with PTSD.
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1 in 3 women experiences sexual assault.
Event. Experience. Effect.
Trauma is real. God is real. God is Lord over all trauma.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (Psalm 34:17-19)
Recovery from Trauma
Safety. Remembrance and Mourning. Reconnection.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Explore the book Deep as the Sea: Letters to Survivors of Trauma. From your experience, how accurate are the 4 effects of trauma outlined on pp. ix-xiv?
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What do theologians mean by “the psychological Word” (pp. xv1-xviii)?
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From your experience, how accurate are the 3 stages of trauma recovery outlined on pp. 103-106?
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Consider 3 reading assignments for 3 members of your group for the 3 different parts of the book (Safety, Remembrance and Mourning, and Reconnection) then each group member reports back to the group.
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Read Psalm 147:3 says that God “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” In what ways do the surrounding verses in Psalm 147:1-11 provide deeper insight to this promise of God?
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True or False — Full recovery from trauma is possible for anyone, and expected for Christians.