Part 1: What is the Soul?
Mark 8:34-36 34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
1 Peter 1:8-9 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
“The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self. The soul is the life center of human beings…. The soul is the capacity to integrate all the parts into a single, whole life.” - Dallas Willard
Part 2: Symptoms of a Disintegrated Soul
Fear Insecurity Defensiveness Anger Greed Anxiety Control
Masking Pleasure Substance abuse Work Entertainment Avarice Bitterness Guilt and Shame
Acedia Apathy Withdrawal Sloth Depression Distraction
Pride Recognition Envy Control Defensiveness Resentment Vanity
Part 3: Rest for Your Soul
Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 23:1-3 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The soul needs…
- God
- Surrender to the will of God
- the sovereign will of God
- the general will of God
- The special will of God
Practices that connect us to God
- Silence and Solitude
- Prayer
- Sabbath
- Repentance
- Private Worship
- Corporate Worship