Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, February 13
Look over your notes from Sunday’s sermon. What did you notice about
the common interest of modern psychology and Christianity? The care of the
soul is something that the church has always considered its responsibility.
Salvation brings wholeness to broken and wounded souls. Read Matthew 11:28-30
and listen to the offer that Jesus gives you. When have you felt Christ lifting
your burden and giving rest to your soul? The soul is more than your “spiritual”
self. According to the Biblical tradition the soul is the whole person, mind,
body and spirit. Reflect on the state of your soul and ask the Lord for rest.
Tuesday, February 14
Some geneticists claim that there is a “God gene” that predisposes
people to have faith or a desire for a higher power in their life. This is
thought to be a result of evolutionary history that has favored people who
can gain a transcendent perspective over their ego or self and has been beneficial
to the species. It seems that God uses DNA to bring to human consciousness
a hunger for God. Read Psalm 42:1-2. When one considers the significant place
of religion in every human culture it seems quite plausible that such a gene
exists. Do you feel that our desire for God is instinctive? If God is at the
center of our being, in the innermost sanctum of our soul, then it seems natural
that beings with an awareness of one’s self would also be aware of the
presence of God. When are you most inclined to long for God?
Wednesday, February 15
If God is at the center of our being or our soul, then why aren’t we
more attentive to God? St. John of the Cross in his classic work, The Dark
Night of the Soul, notices that we form many attachments in our life that
keep us from God. Like the Biblical understanding of idolatry, there are many
other things that often seem more important to us than God. God continually
removes our attachments from us and in the process we experience moments of
confusion or even darkness. When God removes attachments from us than we can
grow closer to God if we trust that the darkness comes from God. Therefore
we don’t need to find new attachments or addictions that keep us from
feeling uncomfortable. God is sufficient to fill any void we may experience.
Read Isaiah 64:8. If God is the potter and we are the clay, then we can trust
that as God continues to mold us that it is good for our soul. Pray that the
times God removes an attachment that you will be able to appropriate the new
person you are becoming.
Thursday, February 16
Read Galatians 5:22-23 and consider the fruits of the Spirit. Religion can
become a source of sickness in a person’s soul if the fruits of the
Spirit are not present and one’s religion becomes a source for rigidity,
judgment, anger, and hatred. Why does religion sometimes become a source of
mental sickness? Pray that your religious experience is bringing you wholeness
in your soul.
Friday, February 17
Consider the many ways Christianity is a therapy for the care of the soul.
Go over the list of “therapies” that Rev. Rob mentioned on Sunday.
Which of these has been helpful in the care of your soul? Where could you
use more intentionality in finding wholeness and holiness?
First
United Methodist Church 