Freedom: Spiritual Order (Week 4)

Summary

In this session of the Freedom Curriculum, the speaker explores the concept of spiritual order, emphasizing the importance of allowing the spirit, which is redeemed in Christ, to lead our lives. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the message highlights the three parts of a person—spirit, soul, and body—and stresses the need for daily intentionality in nurturing the spirit. By feeding our spirit through prayer, Bible study, worship, and community, we align our soul and body under the leadership of our redeemed spirit. The session challenges participants to actively grow their spirit to live in spiritual order.

Takeaways

• 😀 The foundation of the freedom curriculum is helping you build a life-giving relationship with God, not just following rules.
• 😀 You are a three-part being: spirit, soul, and body. Understanding this is crucial to aligning yourself with God's design.
• 😀 Your spirit is redeemed when you accept Christ, meaning you're made new and justified in God's eyes.
• 😀 The soul consists of the mind, will, and emotions, and it often represents the battleground where struggles with God's will occur.
• 😀 Your body houses your spirit and soul, and it has natural cravings and desires that can lead you away from God's will.
• 😀 To live according to God's will, your spirit must lead. Your soul and body must follow in alignment with God's plan.
• 😀 The battle within you is whether you let your spirit, soul, or body lead. Feeding your spirit makes it stronger, while feeding the flesh and emotions leads to destructive patterns.
• 😀 Spiritual growth requires daily action, like reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and engaging in community activities like life groups.
• 😀 What you feed grows. If you nourish your spirit with God's Word and practices, it will become stronger and lead you in alignment with His will.
• 😀 You can’t live by your body’s desires or let your emotions rule you. Regular discipline is necessary to let your spirit lead.
• 😀 The key to spiritual strength and victory in this battle is consistency. Feed your spirit daily to stay strong in your walk with God.

Q & A

What does the speaker hope the first three weeks of the curriculum have achieved?

The speaker hopes that the first three weeks have helped frame the participants' relationship with God, focusing on moving from a rules-based understanding to a life-giving relationship with Him.

What is the main topic of today's lesson?

Today's lesson focuses on the concept of 'spiritual order,' which is the idea that our spirit, soul, and body must align in a specific order with the spirit leading the way.

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:23 tell us about our nature?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 highlights that we are a three-part being—spirit, soul, and body—and that all three must be kept blameless until the return of Jesus Christ.

What are the three distinct parts of our being as described in the script?

The three distinct parts of our being are the spirit (which is redeemed), the soul (which needs restoration), and the body (which must be surrendered to God).

How is our spirit redeemed, and what does that entail?

Our spirit is redeemed the moment we choose to follow Jesus. This means we are made new, spiritually born again, and in union with Christ, no longer seen as sinners but as justified and completely new in His eyes.

What role does our soul play in our spiritual life?

The soul, comprising our mind, will, and emotions, is where much of our spiritual struggle takes place. It is constantly at battle with our fleshly desires, emotions, and choices.

Why is it important to keep the spirit leading our life?

It is important because when the spirit leads, we are aligned with God's will. If the body or soul leads, we can fall into negative desires and emotions, and away from God’s best for us.

What is the theological term that explains our redemption at salvation?

The theological term is 'justification,' which means that when we give our lives to Jesus, God sees us as if we have never sinned—completely made new and forgiven.

How can we strengthen our spirit according to the speaker?

We strengthen our spirit by feeding it—through daily practices like reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, attending church, and being involved in group discussions and accountability.

What does the speaker mean by 'what you feed will grow and what you starve will die'?

This means that whatever we give our time and attention to will grow stronger—whether it is our spirit, body, or emotions. If we focus on nurturing our spirit, it will grow strong, but if we neglect it, it will weaken.