WEEK twO
CORE VALUE:
HEALING FOR THE SOUL
GROUP STUDY
Watch the introduction video together.
Break into gender-specific groups of 4-5 people. Take turns reading each section aloud.
We’ve all made good decisions, and we’ve all made decisions we regret. Those failures and regrets can leave us feeling unworthy of God’s love. You may feel like God is disappointed in you, distant from you, or even done with you. You may believe He can forgive others, but not you. Those thoughts do not come from God. He loves you deeply. He has not forgotten you, and He has not rejected you. Your standing with God is not based on who you are or what you’ve done. It is based on what Jesus has already done for you.
Our second Core Value is this: Healing for the soul is found in Jesus. God cares about every part of your life, your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. But His deepest desire is to heal your soul. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” When you place your faith in Him, your sins are forgiven, your past is covered, and you are made new.
Scripture teaches us to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin. Baptism is not something we wait on. Baptism is part of our salvation experience. It’s not just a symbol. It’s a sacrament. In baptism, we are buried with Christ and raised to new life in Him. In baptism, the Father affirms His love for us, the Lord Jesus imparts His grace to us, the Holy Spirit confirms His presence in us, and the church welcomes us into the community of faith. Baptism marks a clear line between the old life and the new life found in Christ.
Salvation and baptism are not the end. They are the beginning of a relationship with Jesus. God calls us into a life of continual surrender. Practicing daily confession and repentance keeps our hearts aligned with God and forms us into the image of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are called to full surrender, where Jesus is not just Savior, but Lord. This is often described as the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a moment of full consecration where we live our lives set apart, dedicated, and fully devoted to Christ.
CORE BELIEFS
As followers of Jesus, we affirm the following beliefs:
(read these together as a group)God
We believe in one God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. He suffered and died on a cross and was raised to life. By His death, He made a full atonement for all sin.
Salvation
We believe that everyone has sinned, fallen short of God, and is separated from Him. Whoever repents of their sin and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.
Holy Spirit
We believe Christ-followers are called to submit their lives fully to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Bible
We believe Gods Word is God breathed through the Holy Spirit and reveals the way the truth and the life through Jesus.
Church
We believe in the Church universal. The body of Christ is called by God to worship together and join in the redemptive work of Christ in the world.
Baptism
We believe in baptism. Baptism is the declaration of one’s faith in Jesus Christ.
Lord's Supper
We believe in the Lord’s Supper. Communion is the remembrance and appreciation of Christ’s death on the cross.
Healing
We believe in divine healing. We believe in the prayer of faith to heal the sick.
Christ's Return
We believe Jesus Christ will return to judge both the living and the dead.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does it mean to you that your salvation is based on what Jesus has done, not what you have done?
What do you think holds people back from fully surrendering their lives, and why is full surrender so important?
We find “Healing for the Soul” through the Core Practices of Continual Surrender and Sharing Christ.
CORE PRACTICE:
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Watch the Continual Surrender video together.
The world says, “It’s my life, it’s my choice. I get to decide what’s best for me.” As a result, our world is filled with chaos, pain, depression, abuse, sexual confusion, hatred, and division. Continual Surrender is the daily decision to release control of your life to God and learn to trust His ways and His plans for your life. We humble ourselves in worship, devotion, and obedience to Christ. As we daily confess our sins and surrender our lives, the Holy Spirit gives us power and strength to live a life of freedom in Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does “Continual Surrender” actually look like in everyday life?
THIS WEEK’S ACTION STEP
What is one specific step you will take to grow in this practice?
CORE PRACTICE:
SHARING CHRIST
Watch the Sharing Christ video together.
Sharing your faith is easier than you think. Just remember:
Prayer – Care – Share.
Prayer: Begin praying for people by name. Ask God to give you boldness to share your faith.
Care: Look for opportunities to do good. That might be a kind word, a helping hand, or a listening ear.
Share: When God provides an opportunity, share the love of Jesus. That might mean praying for them, sharing an encouraging scripture, or sharing what God has done in your life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Which part of Prayer, Care, or Share feels most natural to you, and which one stretches you the most?
THIS WEEK’S ACTION STEP
What is one specific step you will take to grow in this practice?
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