They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. MARK 5:1-20 ESV
Jesus heals mental illness by:
Not being afraid to deal with it
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. JOHN 8:32 NLT
Identifying the specific problem
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”… MARK 5:9 ESV
Identify the right problem, so you can identify the correct solution.
Revealing the complexity of my illness
And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” MARK 5:9 ESV
Four main contributors to mental illness:
He lived among the tombs… MARK 5:3 ESV
And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. MARK 5:2 ESV
And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. MARK 5:15 ESV
Offering complete healing with one command
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” MATTHEW 22:36-40 ESV
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Take a few moments to slow down. Visualize laying any burdens from the day at Jesus’ feet. Take your time here if need be. When you are ready, invite Jesus into this time, asking him to help you be more real with yourself and him during this time.
As you think about how God views you, what thoughts and feelings surface? What do these feelings reveal about how much you love yourself? What kind of self-talk do you find yourself engaging in? Does it reflect God’s love for you, or does it reflect something else? Ask God to remind you of his truths about you, and if needed, ask him to cover any shame with his truth and love. Ask him to remind you that you are worthy of love, and that because of this, you can ask to be strengthened by God to love him more with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Thank God for being a God who sees you, who loves you, and who cares for you with immeasurable depth. Ask him to be reminded of that this week. Journal through the experience below, sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.
Discussion Questions
- PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, found on the sermon notes. Use this time to process your view of God’s love for you. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
- REAL WITH SELF: Which of the following areas of healing do you find it hardest to embrace, and why do you think that is? Social: I can do it on my own and don’t need help; Spiritual: I never consider the spiritual component; Psychological: I am reluctant to seek help for my thoughts and feelings; Biological: I am generally opposed to medication for mental health.
- REAL WITH GOD: Read Matthew 22:36-40 NLT. We learn to change our feelings by learning to love God with all of our heart; we learn to change our thoughts by learning to love God with all of our mind; we learn to change our spirit by learning to love God with all of our soul. Which of these areas needs the most attention from you right now? How might your life be different if you experienced change in this area?
- REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Mark 5:18-20 NLT. What would it look like to tell others in your life about the healing that Jesus has done for you? What kinds of obstacles prevent you from sharing more?
- REAL WITH OTHERS: Jesus is not intimidated when someone’s life is messy. Who in your life can you show Jesus’ love for by “seeing” them, moving towards them, and offering a hand? What practical steps can you take, and how might that affect them (and you)?
- TAKE ACTION: Does anyone in your group need prayer right now? Perhaps for them, perhaps for a family member? Spend time asking God for healing right now.
