Soul Training: Play

soul training
Play

“Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 18:4

Play is a spiritual exercise that can teach us about living in the kingdom of God Many people think play is silly and not very spiritual. Play is very serious. By definition play involves randomness. Play cannot be controlled. Spontaneity is one of the spiritual benefits of play. We learn to let go. We relax, let ourselves become vulnerable and open to whatever happens.

Choose one or two from the list below. If you would like share your playtime on our class blog.

1. If you have children (nieces, nephews, grandchildren), play with them! Do what they do, get down on the floor and play.

2. If you once played a sport, but haven’t played in a while, dust off the old equipment and find someone to play with (you can use the blog to coordinate if you want).

3. Do your favorite hobby with a sense of play and wonder, not as work or something to be accomplished.

4. Engage in a discipline of wonder: read a book about something you do not know much about.

prayer

We are told to “become like children.” Children experience security, excitement, and enjoy every moment of play. Pray that our Father will gives us the sense of security to play in His world with excitement.

Soul Training: Our Favorite Stories

soul training
Our Favorite Stories

Watch your favorite movie or read from your favorite book, and ask yourself, “Why do I like this?” Listen to what the characters do and say. Follow how the plot unfolds and the different positive and negative turns it takes. Identify the protagonists and antagonists and the conflict that exists between them.

If you would like, share your favorite story on our class blog and respond to these questions:

1. What makes this story compelling?

2. How do you relate to it?

3. Who narrates this story?

4. What is the overarching narrative or where does this story lead?

prayer

Jesus is called Immanuel, “God with us.” By living with us, He taught us how to live. Ask God to discern the narratives that lead you life. Whether false or true, ask that the LORD show you the narrative that Jesus lived by, and therefore, lived with us.

How to Commment

1. Below the blog post there is a box labeled "Post a comment"

2. Write your comment in that box (sign your name if you are using an anonymous profile)

3. Below the "Post a Comment" box is a pull down menu labeled "Comment as:". Select a profile type from that menu. (If you have a gmail account you can use your Google Profile.)

4. You can choose Anonymous from the profile type. You will then be asked to type out the crazy letters. Afterwards you can view your comment.

5. Read everyone else's comments to see where they are with the soul training this week.

-Tad

Class Description

"Few would argue that the Sermon on the Mount is the greatest sermon ever preached. However, the reality is, many of Jesus' followers have treated this greatest of all teachings as impossible ideals merely meant to bring us to the foot of the cross. But what if Jesus actually meant what He said? That people could actually live this way? What if the Sermon on the Mount was meant to be the story by which Christians were meant to live their lives?"