*We encourage you to pause the audio after any reflection moments or questions. There is also a setting on the player above to slow down the audio if that helps.
Welcome to our weekly Friday Check-in for March 28th, 2025 ✅
If you are new to Soul Care, WELCOME!! We are so glad you are here. We have a weekly rhythm of checking in together on Fridays. We use Soul Care's Page, Person, Plan framework to create a weekly rhythm and prepare ourselves for Sabbath rest.
Please take a deep breath and know: God is with you.
Let’s set aside the next few minutes to intentionally notice God’s presence.
Let's begin with,
Page: An Invitation to Reflection
Continue to meditate on Joshua 1:5-9, and return to it as often as you need this month.
Today, read or listen to Jesus’ words in John 8:33-47 three times.
They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’
Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’
They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’
They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ’If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.
Spend a few minutes journaling in response to this passage:
- What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
- As you read through it a second time… ask God, “to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?”
- And as you read a third time, be asking God, “Is there an invitation for me?” Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?
Next up is,
Person: An Invitation to Connection
Today’s passage challenges us to examine whether our faith is just a claim or truly reflected in our actions. Jesus highlights the importance of aligning our hearts with God.
Ask yourself:
- Are there any lies I have believed that influence how I relate to God and others?
- In what ways do I resist God’s truth in my relationships (e.g. pride, unforgiveness, dishonesty)?
- How can I better listen to and obey God’s voice in my daily interactions with others?
- How do I reflect God’s love and truth in my relationships? How might selfishness show up in and shape my relationships?
Talk to God in prayer about these things and listen for what God might say to you in response.
Finally we have,
Plan: An Invitation to Intention
Also notice the phrase in verse 37:
“...yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word.”
This month: let’s continue to pray and live with COURAGE.Can you take the final moments of this reflection to prayerfully and courageously assess where “there is no place in you for God’s word”...
- How might you create more space to listen to God, really listen and hear? What do you need to let go of?
- Perhaps God is speaking and working through unexpected events, people, and circumstances - things or people you are likely to dismiss or overlook. What helps you pay more attention to these unexpected conduits of God’s Word?
- What are some ways your actions reflect a lack of Truth?
“Lent 2025: Clearing the Path”: If you’d like to create more space to hear and heed God’s voice, join us for daily reflections and practices during this Lenten season. You can JOIN HERE as we journey together through this meaningful season.
Thanks for checking in today.
Have a blessed Friday,
Team Soul Care