series artseries art

How to Pursue Spiritual Health

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. JEREMIAH 17:5-8 NLT

A person who wants to be spiritually healthy…

Is aware of the weakness of their flesh

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” MATTHEW 26:41 NLT

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. JEREMIAH 17:5 NLT

The flesh pursues comfort and desire

The spirit invites challenge and correction

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. … 1 CORINTHIANS 9:27 NLT

Trusts that God always comes through

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. JEREMIAH 17:7 NLT

Where God guides, He provides

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19 NLT

Makes time with God a priority

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. … JEREMIAH 17:8 NLT

Pray at least one time a day

Attend church once a week

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12 NLT

Talk about the message with at least one other person

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. … JEREMIAH 17:8 NLT

Find one way to serve at church

Embraces life’s challenges

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. JEREMIAH 17:8 NLT

When I am emotionally wiped out, I could be spiritually dry

Life’s challenges help me go deeper with God

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ROMANS 8:28 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that will help you become still in your thoughts and feelings. Take a few slow, deep breaths, or consider taking a slow walk outside. Commit to God any troubles that may be bothering you, asking Him to carry them for you. When you are ready, consider your spiritual growth. What are your thoughts and feelings about your progress over the past year? Reflect on the sermon and the ways you can cooperate with God in growing spiritually. Invite God into this process and ask Him to help you discern how He wants you to grow this year. Ask Him what action He wants you to take this week to deepen your relationship with Him. Next, are there any current challenges you are going through? To what extent has your response shown that you trust that He will bring good from this difficulty as He has promised (Romans 8:28). Close your time by praying to God to help you grow in your trust and obedience to Him to meet the challenges of the new year rather than relying on your flesh. Ask God to give you a vision for what your life will look like this time next year if you choose to make time with Him a high priority. Close your time by thanking God for your time together, writing down any reflections in the space below and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

NOTE: Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: On a scale of 1-10 how disciplined of a person would you consider yourself to be?
  2. START HERE: Who in your life has modeled what good spiritual health looks like? What is attractive to you that you’d like to pattern your habits after?
  3. START HERE: Why do you think so many people don’t prioritize and do the necessary things to increase their spiritual health?
  4. KEEP GOING: Have someone read Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT) out loud, slowly. Do you currently relate more to the stunted shrub or to the tree planted on the riverbank?
  5. KEEP GOING: What in your life has the potential to dry out the soil of your soul and keep you from the growth you want for this year?
  6. KEEP GOING: Share of a time when God came through for you when you trusted Him through a challenge.
  7. KEEP GOING: We’re all becoming something; describe what you want yourself to look like at the end of 2024.
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT). How has authentic biblical community sharpened you on your spiritual journey?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Read Romans 8:28 (NLT). Reflecting back on the past week or two, what can you look at that was challenging and hard and say: “Good?” What could your future circumstances look like by adopting this practice?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: “We will never become what we occasionally do.” Are you ready to take Pastor Matt’s challenge to pray once a day, attend church once a week, talk to others about the sermon, and find a place to serve for the 40 Days of Prayer series? Which of these do you need to commit to this year to help provide water for your soul?