Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

 

Pete Scazzero wrote: “Emotional health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” In this series based on his book, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” we will consider how emotional and spiritual wellness is possible and the birthright of every follower of Jesus.

 

August 8-9

• Text: Saul’s life was a journey from promising king to disqualified leader because of his lack of emotional wellness; I Samuel 9-10; 15

• Theme: The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality; Saul

 

August 15-16

• Text: David, the unnamed, unnumbered son of Jesse became the next king of Israel. Though flawed, he was called “a man after my heart” by God. David’s spiritual and emotional health was central to this divine designation. 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 16; Psalm 139

• Theme: Know Yourself that You May Know God; David

 

August 22-23

• Text: Paul had an ugly past as a persecutor of Jesus’ followers. He says he forgot the past but forgetting the past was not a denial of his past. It was remembering his past in a new, healthy way. Acts 9:19; Philippians 3:12-14; Galatians 1:11-16

• Theme: Going Back in Order to Go Forward

 

August 29-30                        

• Text: Esther’s “dark night of the soul” was weighty. The fate of her people rested on how she would navigate this challenge. With wise guidance, deep community and trust in God, she was used to rescue her people. Esther 4-5

• Theme: Journey Through the Wall

 

September 5-6 (Labor Day)

• Text: Mary the mother of Jesus knew that being his mother would be a mixture of deep joy and sorrow. Yet she faced the sorrow of being his mother in a holy, healthy manner. Luke 1:28; Luke 2:34-35; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14

• Theme: Enlarge Your Soul Through Grief and Loss

 

September 12-13

• Text: Jesus, God in the flesh modeled for his followers the “unforced rhythms of grace” by living a healthy and holy life of engagement and separation. Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23; Luke 4:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 22:39; Mark 2:23-28

• Theme: Discover the Rhythms of the Daily Office & Sabbath

 

September 19-20                 

• Text: John’s self-described moniker was “the one whom Jesus loved.” This was not an arrogant declaration as he never names himself but rather a deep cultivated confidence he had in Jesus and himself. He models for us a follower of Jesus living an integrated life as a child of God and person of worth. John 13:21-25; 19:26; 20:2; 21:2, 7; 1 John 1:5-10

• Theme: Grow Into An Emotionally Health Mature Adult

 

September 26-27     

• Text: The first followers of Jesus had experienced the glorious resurrection of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Both encounters with God shaped their life together and led them to a new way of living life together. Acts 2:42-47

• Theme: Go the Next Step to Develop a “Rule of Life”