Community Relational Soul Care: Restoring God’s People to Spiritual Vitality

By Dr. Julie A. Larsen

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664294882

Dr. Julie A. Larsen

Dr. Julie A. Larsen completed five degrees in religion and counseling in seven years at Liberty University with her first doctorate DMin, in 2017. She continued studying at Liberty University for three more years in counseling (EdD). After another three more years, Dr. Larsen completes her final journey of schooling: a PhD in Bible Exposition. Dr. Larsen’s education is to help God’s people through her 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, Shepherd’s Gate Mission’s. Inc. www.shepherdsgatemissions.com

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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 community¹ relational soul care² (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 participate in His mission. Our mission is God’s mission. As Jesus was sent out to fulfill God’s mission, so are His children sent to His people (Jn 20:21).

The main ingredient for experiencing God’s presence is an intimate love relationship with Jesus. Just as Jesus was obedient to the Father, so we are also to be obedient by knowing His Word, nurturing love relationships with His people, and making disciples for God’s kingdom. This relationship will reveal the love of Jesus Christ so people can be transformed to have a new heart and love Him. Relational soul caregivers are called servants of the Triune God, and they must live out no other gospel other than the gospel of grace with power of the Holy Spirit, shining Jesus’s love on all people (Gal 1:6; 1 Thess 1:5).

A transformed life of spiritual truth is all about Jesus, Jesus, and Jesus. Through His life, the Incarnational Jesus revealed His wisdom to His twelve disciples, believers, and others by using Scripture, parables, and stories. He used examples from everyday life and personal experience for moral lessons and biblical truths. Jesus brought these truths and lessons to light for all His people to experience Him, even today. Overall, the spiritual truths (p. xiv) illuminate Jesus’s love, mercy, grace, and wisdom for believers to develop spiritual vitality for their journey.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our teacher, guide, and helper, and we are to learn from Him and follow His example. His parable of the lost son could be paralleled to man’s personal relationship with God, which reflects the Great Commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.⁴ These words from Jesus’s mouth are also lifted off the page from Scripture in Deuteronomy 6:5. Another parable of Jesus, labeled the Good Samaritan, deals with man’s relationship with others and could be paralleled to the Second Commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Lk 10:27; Matt 22:39; Lev 19:18).

Moreover, 1 John 4:21 says, whoever loves God must also love his brother. If you say you love God but not your bother, you do not practice righteousness, as God is love and is righteous (1 Jn 3:10-11; 1 Jn 2:29). Practicing righteousness (Dikaios, just or right by God’s standards, God’s approval, God’s Will) can only be lived by a believer who has a transformed heart and a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Abraham received the promise of being God’s heir, not by the law, but through the righteousness [right relationship] of faith (Rom 4:13). The law is righteous, but it cannot make you righteous.

Relational soul caregivers are children of promise (Gal 3:29). Their heart is filled with God’s love (1 Jn 4:16); they live by faith (Rom 1:17; Gal 2:16, 3:11; Heb 10:38; Hb 2:4); hear His voice (Jn 10:27); see His light (Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5, 7); and are counted righteous because of the righteous one who is Jesus (Jn 10:14). They have a right relationship with God, experiencing His love and putting His Word into practice (a process) to have spiritual wisdom for their journey. Also, they are agents of God’s grace to share Jesus’ love with others (Matt 7:24, 26; Lk 6:49; Jas 1:22).

All believers are to follow the Lord Jesus’ example, so they are commanded to love Him and one another. Community relational soul caregivers are God’s representatives who want to practice righteousness (to be conscious of God, not because of any laws), to be faithful in their heart to love Him and one another, and to fellowship with the Triune God alongside His people on their path of life.

Therefore, relational soul caregivers follow the example of Jesus’ life and ministry to abide in Him, as He taught His disciples (1 Jn 2:27, 28). They also seek His will from their heart (Eph 6:6; Mk 3:35) to experience and know God (Jer 24:7). Furthermore, relational soul caregivers learn wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3) from the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26) so they can guide others to the Lord Jesus for spiritual truth (Jn 14:17) and healing. Colossians 2:2 is an example how relational soul caregivers fellowship together in Jesus Christ so that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach for all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.

There are 11 Scriptural truths for believers to share with one another for spiritual vitality: (1) Bible has all authority (2) God’s children are made in the image of God (3) God wants a love relationship with His children and His children to have a love relationship with others (4) God gives grace based on His love (5) Jesus Christ gives His children victory over their sin nature (6) Forgiveness moves individuals into present-new nature (7) Christian’s have identity in Christ (8) There is security in Jesus Christ (9) Believers know their significance in Christ-we matter to the Triune God (10) God is always with His children and (11) God has a plan and purpose for His children.

The overarching aim for spiritual vitality is that believers will have a deep communion with the relational God to experience (know) Him, relationship with others, and relation to a God-centered self in an awareness of realigning their lives to be transformed into His likeness. It requires bold faith to trust in the Lord Jesus with your life because the flesh is weak (Matt 26:41). Believers cannot live like Christ in their own strength and power, as those who live in the flesh cannot please God (Rom 8:8). It is Christ who dwells in you so He can live His life through you as the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Thus, bold faith is living by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). People cannot change by themselves; the Holy Spirit works in believers’ hearts with the support from His people (relational soul caregivers).

The focus for relational soul caregivers is aimed at sharing God’s love with His people as partners of God’s grace (Phil 1:7), in their joys of victory, and in their darkest hour of pain and sorrow. Trust, love, and prayer are a holy privilege that God gives His children as tools for our benefit for spiritual vitality. They are a guide to other believers because they are righteous and a guide to his neighbor (Prov 12:26).

Believers place their trust in God. When they do this, they must submit to His Will. God uses our faith to experience Him as He works in our heart, soul, and mind until the day of completion (Phil 1:6). Faith is having trust and assurance in God (Heb 11:1). If we believe in Jesus and have faith in Him, He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Eph 3:20). John specifically wrote his gospel so that His children believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (Jn 20:31). Therefore, it is vitally important to have a personal love relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit because it is the only way for believers to be restored to spiritual vitality to have abundant life.

When believers are filled with God’s Spirit, they have the power of His Will for guidance to be the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). This is experienced in the believers’ hearts (mind), feelings (emotions), and actions (behavior/attitude) as image-bearers who are set out to be mature disciples to serve God and man, all for His mission. Also, believers have Spirit-filled strength (God’s Will) to overcome temptations and to get through trials that could otherwise damage or destroy their personal intimacy with Jesus. We, as believers, should abide in Jesus and be dependent on Him as He was dependent on the Father (Jn 5:19-20, 30; 15:5).

God’s plan for all His people is to be restored to spiritual vitality for their journey, which includes healthy disciples for God’s mission. Every child of God is unique in His plan so no two people are transformed the same or have the same exact relationship to experience (know) God as each believer responds differently. Community relational soul caregivers are God’s helpers to walk alongside