2025

Written by Soul Care | Apr 24, 2025 1:30:00 PM

*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 April 25th, 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.

How has your week been? Here’s your invitation to pause and check in with yourself. Ask, “How am I... really?”

Perhaps you are checking in today still full of Easter joy, celebration, and chocolate...Or perhaps you have already lost sight of Resurrection Joy in the midst of busyness and stress; or perhaps Easter was a hard or sad holiday for you. However you are checking in at this moment, it is OK. Simply bring awareness to how you are right now and acceptance to whatever is present in your body, mind, and spirit.

Allow God to meet you in this moment, just as you are.

Let's begin with,

Page: An Invitation to Reflection

Today, read or listen to John 16:1-15 NRSV three times.

‘I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. ²They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. ³And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. ⁴But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

The Work of the Spirit

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. ⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate^[a] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about^[b] sin and righteousness and judgement: ⁹about sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; ¹¹about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

¹²‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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

In today’s passage, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the coming of the Spirit, the importance of truth, and remaining anchored in Him through trials.

Here are some reflection questions:

How can I more readily receive Jesus’ words today and the work of the Spirit of truth in my life?
How can I be a conduit of truth and love in my relationships like the Holy Spirit is for me? Am I bringing clarity, comfort, and conviction in the lives of those I care about?
Jesus warned of people being “put out of the synagogue”—do I have safe spaces for spiritual connection?
Are there people I need to reconcile with or be more honest with, in love and grace?

You’re invited to share with a friend or family member, about your thoughts on today’s scripture reading & journal prompts.

Finally we have,

Plan: An Invitation to Intention

Let’s continue to hold this month’s Semi-Silent Retreat theme, “MAKING PEACE WITH FAILURE,” and Ezekiel 47 in our hearts and minds as we approach the end of April.Anyone else feeling like your Easter holiday was a “failure” this year? Or are you wondering how to LIVE Christ’s resurrection in tangible ways on a daily basis, especially when grief and hardship remain?

In reading today’s passage, we can be reminded of some important truths:

1. Jesus prepares us for hardship, not perfection. “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.” (v.1)
2. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, not our critic. “Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you.” (v.7)
3. Truth is a process, not a moment. “He will guide you into all the truth.” (v.13)
4. God’s glory emerges from brokenness. “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (v.14)

Take a few final minutes to journal in response to these prompts:

Step 1: Name the Place You Feel You’ve Failed. Prompt: “Lord, I’ve been feeling like a failure in ___ because ___. It’s been making me feel ___.”
Step 2: Pick a verse from John 16:1–15 that reminds you that failure doesn’t disqualify you. Prompt: “One verse that speaks to my heart is...”
Step 3: Invite the Spirit Into That Space. Pray simply and honestly. Prompt: “Holy Spirit, I invite You into this place where I feel broken. Thank You that You are...”
Step 4: Practice a Small Act of Reconnection. Action prompt: “As a step of trust and growth, I will ___ this week.” (i.e. perhaps reaching out to someone you’ve distanced yourself from or starting a new habit or practice that reflects trust in God’s grace, like a 5-minute daily pause for listening prayer.)

Thanks for checking in today.

Have a blessed Friday,

Team Soul Care

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