Community Relational Soul Care

Dr. Julie A. Larsen

Description

Relational soul caregivers mentor relational soul careseekers in and out of community (Matt 18:20) to restore God’s children to spiritual vitality for the fulfillment of His plan.
This transformational model (Matt 22:37-39) is focused on Community Relational Soul Care that has been lived out through generations of relational soul caregivers since 1910. This book will bring spiritual vitality full circle for today to heal hurting people. Scripture reveals Jesus Christ is the Helper, Advocate, and Counselor, to help His children gain wisdom for spiritual vitality.
Dr. Larsen observed hurting people did not get fully healed after counseling. They fell back into old ways of living because they did not know their identity, had a relationship with Jesus Christ, experienced God, and were nurtured by His people. Relational soul caregivers mentor careseekers in and out of community (Matt 18:20) to restore God’s children in spiritual wisdom for the fulfillment of His plan. Relational soul caregivers are mentors who study God’s Word and have a relationship with Him. Some mentors have professional degrees, but they all share a collective focus on Jesus Christ, love one another, and help nurture others to spiritual vitality.
Using this biblical model with acrostics RELATE (relational soul caregivers that nurture others spiritually, mentally, and emotionally) and RESTORE (restoring God’s children through the basic study of His Word in the Epistles 1, 2, 3, John), reveal examples of God’s people helping each other to spiritual vitality. Healing emerges in relationships with God, others, and God-centered self in Community Relational Soul Care.

Sujets

• Spiritual Growth
• Christian Living
• Philosophie et théologie
• Relational
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 27 mars 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664294882
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

COMMUNITY RELATIONAL SOUL CARE
 
 
RESTORING GOD’S PEOPLE TO SPIRITUAL VITALITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
DR. JULIE A. LARSEN
 
 
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2023 Dr. Julie A. Larsen.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
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Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
 
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9489-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9490-5 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9488-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023904489
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date:   03/27/2023
Acknowledgments
To my Lord Jesus Christ: thank you for restoring me, loving me, teaching me, and blessing me. At eighteen, I asked for wisdom and a heart for you and your people; thank you!
To my sons and their wives: Jesse and Maurine; James and Beth; and Riki and Jamie; thank you for supporting me and giving me grandchildren, you are my world!
To my grandchildren: Thyra (great-grandchild Samuel) and Jason Wilson, Kaelyn, Joslyn, Landen, Ashton, Rayne, Magnolia (Noli), Rayce, Hayley, and Thea; you have my heart!
In memory of my grandparents: Peter and Anne Larsen for filling my heart with Jesus Christ for twenty-nine years. Your descendants are honored you came to America to influence lives for Jesus! In memory of my parents: James and Agnes; brother and sister, and family members who have passed on and to the ones who are pressing forward towards “the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:14), to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21)! You are all in my heart!
To lifelong spiritual fellowships: Cunard Church; Rev. Leonard and Carola Buelow; Rev. S. Piet and Charity VanKampen; and fellowships at Christ the King Church, thank you!
To Dr. Michael C. Whittington: I will always thank God for you as my professor, mentor, and spiritual friend. Your heart of love for others and servanthood is a model for all, thank you!
To Dr. David W. Hirschman: you put a diploma in my hand and years of being my professor, reader, and spiritual friend; thank you. Your comment for your students being the “best they can be” is encouraging. As Dr. Ed Barker said, “You are a Christian’s Christian!” Also, many LU professors: Dr. T. Clinton, Dr. R. Hawkins, Dr. S. Hawkins, Dr D. Rice, Dr. E. Moitinhoe, Dr. R. Dempsey, Dr. M. Tanner, Dr. M. Mills, Dr. J. Baker, Dr. D. Maas, Dr. W. Price and Dr. L. Percer, thank you!
In memory of Dr. Ed. Hindson: you put four diplomas in my hand, teaching from The King is Coming and Liberty University, besides your living books legacy to teach others. Your God-style of teaching is like no other! Your love and passion for God’s Word and your servanthood is a beacon that shines bright, thank you so much! Also, Dr. Charlie Davidson: I am honored to have known you; thank you professor and spiritual friend, you live on in many hearts!
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction
CHAPTER 1     WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Why Community Relational Soul Care?
CHAPTER 2     SPIRITUAL LAYERS OF COMMUNITY RELATIONAL SOUL CARE
Theological Foundation
Restoring God’s People
The Process of Spiritual Vitality in Christ-Living
Relate: Essentials For Spiritual Vitality
Relational Soul Care
Encouragement
Love for One Another
Accountability
Transformation
Essentials Living in God’s Word
Living in Love for God: God’s Love
Living in Worship
Living in Prayer
Living in Obedience
Living in Community Life
Living in Service
Living in Mission
CHAPTER 3     THE WORD OF GOD RESTORES HIS CHILDREN TO VITALITY
RESTORE Biblical Guide: 1, 2, 3 John
1 John 1
1 John 2
1 John 3
1 John 4
1 John 5
2 John
3 John
 
Conclusion
APPENDIX
Appendix 1     Tables
Appendix 2     Illustrations
Appendix 3     The Spirit of the Lord Biblical Model
Appendix 4     Matthew 22:37-39 Biblical Model
Appendix 5     Genesis Three—Question Model for Spiritual Vitality
Appendix 6     Case Study: Community Relational Soul Caregivers
 
Bibliography
SPECIAL TERMINOLOGY
Special terminology is used throughout the following thesis project:
Community means believers in the Body of Christ where two or more gather together in His name (Matt 18:20).
Community relational soul caregivers are interlocking together in fellowship sharing a collective focus on Jesus Christ who help nurture one another to spiritual vitality for their journey individually or corporately. Relational soul caregivers communicate God’s wisdom to hurting souls; they are spiritual friends shepherding one another.
RELATE is an acrostic for relational soul caregivers that nurture others spiritually and emotionally to spiritual vitality in community.
RESTORE is an acrostic for restoring God’s children through the basic study of His Word (Epistles 1, 2, 3, John).
Spiritual guidance, spiritual direction, holiness, discipleship, spirituality or spiritual formation are used interchangeably; this means the deep inner life of a believer and/or a helper who moves someone forward to godly living to spiritual vitality.
A soul care mentor is a mature spiritual leader who is specifically trained/studies the Bible, and has a relationship with the Lord Jesus. They could have professional degrees in biblical counseling, psychological field of counseling, or other additional training/degrees.
A soul care seeker is a person who seeks help for direction or guidance for his or her life from the pastor, priest, counselor, mentor, or community relational soul caregivers.
Spiritual vitality is a name for Christian life that begs for spiritually healthy believers in all areas for psychological, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual wholeness.
Introduction
The foundation for this book is based on Jesus’ life and ministry for believers to live in spiritual vitality, which incorporates God’s mission for all people to know Him personally. The focus of community 1 relational soul care 2 (CRSC) is to equip, encourage, strengthen, and love one another in the Body of Christ so that believers will be healthy disciples for their journey of life. Relational soul caregivers gather together as ministers of God, sharing a collective focus on Jesus Christ, who fellowship and nurture one another to spiritual vitality individually and in community (Acts 2:42). 3 They are disciples of Jesus Christ who minister to one another. They are not counselors, but they can be.
God created His family: they are called the children of God‒the saints. They do His work all for the glory of the Triune community. Relational soul caregivers are believers in community who have a relationship with God and one another. Relationships are vital in a believer’s journey to grow to spiritual vitality. It is important to grow together and help one another to be like Jesus.
Believers are part of the Body of Christ as “members one of another” (Eph 4:25). Paul says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Col 3:15). Community relational soul caregivers, as spiritual-aid fellowship, can help one another stay in the peace of Christ and grow in maturity. They bring God’s love, grace, and mercy to others while they help shepherd one another to spiritual vitality.
The purpose of community relational soul caregivers has been God’s plan from the beginning. God wants His children to be strong image-bearers for their journey, so He provides the Body of Christ with helpers. As it says in Proverbs 12:26, the “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor.” These relational soul caregivers help each other grow in maturity through experiencing God’s presence in their everyday lives. They share God’s wisdom so they can discern the issues of life to make good decisions on how to live righteously. Relational soul caregivers know that their focus is to seek out where God is working and