Glencairn MB Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend or on you own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastoral staff.

1. Pray for the needs of your Life Group, for our church and our leaders, for personal and corporate renewal, and to allow God’s word to transform us. Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group.

2. The message is focusing on another of Questions Jesus Asked: And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? What thoughts or questions did the message raise for you? Which thoughts or points encouraged you orposed a challenge to you?

3a. Read Matthew 16:13-27. Before discussing what Jesus’ is asking, we should try to understand the concept of “soul.” No biblical definition is provided (see Psalm 62:1; 103:1). Dallas Willard, in Transforming the Soul, writes “Our soul is like an inner stream of water, which gives strength, direction, and harmony to every element of our life.” What do you think about that?

3b. If you wish to discuss soul further, consider Hebrews 4:12; Romans 8:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23. What, then, is our soul?

4. Now, let’s consider Jesus’ question. What value do you place on your soul? What value do you think God places on your soul?

5. In the Matthew passage, Jesus raises two other questions: “Who do you say that I am?" and "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" How would you answer either, or both, of these questions?

6. Take a moment of silence as you consider your response to Jesus’ underlying question - Do you really desire to be well? Take time to pray about this and ask for the Lord’s wisdom in discerning the steps you need to take toward your healing.