God Calls Us to Embrace Him and Refresh Our Souls: A Bible Study

Summary:

Are you struggling with feeling distant from God? Does your faith feel stale? If that’s you, be encouraged! God, who is rich in grace and mercy, calls us to embrace Him, let go of sin, and refresh our souls by pursuing Him wholeheartedly. 

Not only does God call us back to Him, but He also speaks to us through His Word and empowers us through the Holy Spirit in order to refresh us spiritually and draw us closer to Him.

This study explores the topic of how God strengthens our faith and refreshes our hearts, minds, and souls when we embrace Him.

Encouraging Thought to Refresh Your Soul:

Our loving God calls us to embrace Him when we are feeling weary in our faith. He promises to restore us and strengthen us through His power and transforms us through His Word.

Companion Content:

Read the Devotional:

Enhance your Bible study with this optional devotional :

• Refresh Your Faith with a Spiritual Spring Cleaning: A Spring Devotional

Inspired by Exodus 12 and the Passover, this spring devotional and prayer focuses on pursuing our own spiritual spring cleaning and how we can refresh our faith.

Read These Free Articles:

Explore this topic further with these free articles :

• 5  Signs You’re Spiritually Tired and How to Renew Your Faith

In this article, we’ll explore five signs that you’re spiritually tired and provide specific tactics to help you overcome your tiredness and renew your faith.

• Faith Over Feelings: 3 Truths to Help You Pursue God When You Don’t Feel Like It

In this article, we’ll explore three truths to help you trust your faith over your feelings and pursue God even when you don’t feel close to Him. 

Memory Verses to Refresh Your Soul:

1. Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

2. Ephesians 4:22-24

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

3. Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Key Takeaways about God Calling Us to Embrace Him:

• God invites us to return, no matter how far we’ve wandered.
  We are reminded throughout scripture that repentance opens the door to refreshing our souls (Joel 2:12, Malachi 3:7)
• Spiritual renewal begins with surrender.
  We must put off our old selves and embrace the new identity we have in Christ (Colossians 3:5-10, Ephesians 4:22-24)
• In Christ, we are made new.
  When we follow Jesus, we become a new creation—our past no longer defines us. With God’s help, we can let go of sin and pursue righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• God renews us when we are weary.
  He strengthens and restores those who place their hope in Him (Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 23:1-3)
• Refreshing our souls starts with our hearts and minds.
  Spiritual renewal happens as we let God’s Word reshape our thoughts and attitudes (Romans 12:2)

Study Questions:

1. According to Joel 2:12, what kind of heart does God desire when we return to Him?
2. What does it mean to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:22-24)?
3. How does Psalm 51:10-12 describe the renewal of our spirit?
4. What is the connection between repentance and spiritual refreshment?
5. How do Romans 12:2 and Isaiah 40:31 challenge us to renew our minds and our strength?

Prayer to Refresh Your Soul:

Dear Father,

We thank your for your grace and mercy. We thank you that, no matter what, you call us to return to you. You promise us that when we wait on you, you will strengthen and restore us (Isaiah 40:31). 

Heavenly Father, we ask that you refresh our souls. Breath new life into our faith. Renew our desire to be steadfast and unwavering in our pursuit of you (Psalm 51:10). Help us to cast off any sin, old habits, and attitudes that may keep us from drawing closer to you (Ephesians 4:22-24). We pray these things in Jesus name, amen! 

Final Encouragement:

As Christians, we have a daily invitation to refresh our souls by putting away sin, pursuing God wholeheartedly, and allowing His Word and Spirit to transform us to be more like Christ. Perhaps you are feeling weary in your faith. Maybe you’ve been feeling distant from God for a while. It doesn’t matter. No matter where you are in your faith journey, God calls you to embrace Him and promises to renew your faith and strengthen you when you seek out His presence.

Going Deeper to Renew Your Faith:

You can find more articles to help you refresh your soul and grow in your relationship with God here!

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Encouraging One Another:

What do you do when you feel weary in your faith? What about when you’re feeling distant from God? How do you draw close to Him in those times? Share below!