Soul-o-lo-gy

Identity June 10, 2012 John Ortberg

Note to Leaders: Because every small group is different, we are providing you with a variety of questions. Although we have identified key questions, please choose the questions that relate best to your particular group.

Connect
1. How would you describe the human soul? 2. What part of the sermon did you find yourself connecting with a Bible verse? A story? A description of the soul? 3. Describe a brief story when your will/desire and your soul were at odds with each other. For example, you wanted to go to the baseball game but you knew in your soul you should help your child with homework. 4. How does thinking about your soul affect your daily activities?

Engage
1. Read Genesis 2:7, Ecclesiastes 6:7, Psalm 107:8-9, and Mark 8:35-37. What does it mean that we are living souls? How does having a soul affect Gods relationship with us and our relationship with God? What are the consequences of humanity having souls? 2. Read Psalm 23:1-3, Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 139:13-14 and Psalm 42:1-2. As our soul encompasses our entire being, how do these verses describe our need for God? How do these verses describe the role of Gods means of providing for our souls? 3. Read I Peter 1:8-9 and Job 12:10. What is Gods objective in focusing on our soul life?

Apply
1. How has God been very personal to you in your soul life? 2. How have you limited Gods involvement in the health and spiritual growth of your soul?
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3. What steps do you need to take this next week to encourage Gods help in becoming a soul at rest in God? 4. Descibe to your group the steps you plan to take to develop a healthier and God centered soul.

Pray
Lord, God Almighty, who speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, you are my God - earnestly I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my mind, body and spirit longs for you in a dry and weary land. I will praise you as long as I live and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, and my lips will sing praise to you. Jesus, daily lead me, deepen my faith, for my soul rests in the knowledge of you, my God and my Savior. In your name Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Going Deeper
Learning Opportunities. Decide now for your summer reading list to include a couple of books to encourage your soul life. Some suggestions may include Hearing God, by Dallas Willard, Life with God, by Richard Foster, The Voice of Jesus, by Gordon T. Smith. Participate in the Summer Soul Journey series at MPPC. More information and registration is available at www.mppc.org/summer. Serving Opportunity. Consider helping others tend to their souls become a small group leader. http://www.mppc.org/serve/small-group-leader Personal Spiritual Practice Idea/experiment. In your daily quiet time this next week, focus on what God is saying to your soul - listen carefully. Take time to tend to you soul during your daily activities with short prayer, quiet reflection, and listening to what God may be saying to your soul through others. You may want to continue this practice throughout this summer.

Resource available at www.mppc.org Send feedback to info@mppc.org