Lesson 1: The Song of the Soul
Scripture Focus: Psalm 42:1-2
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you,
my God. My soul thirsts for God, for he is a living God.”
📖 Teaching Points
The Soul’s longing: Our deepest hunger is not for God himself.
The Language of Desire: The psalmist uses imagery of thirst to describe spiritual need.
Jesus as Fulfillment: In Christ, the soul’s longing finds rest and satisfaction.
📝 Reflection Prompts
Where do you feel spiritual thirst in your life right now?
How do you recognize when your soul is longing for Jesus?
What practices help you turn longing into worship?
🔄 Flow Chart: Longing➡ Seeking ➡
Encounter➡ Rest
Soul longing
↓
Seeking God
↓
Encounter with Christ
↓
Resting in His Presence
🎶 Ritual Practice
Begin each day with the phrase:
“My soul loves Jesus.”
Sing or hum a worship chorus that expresses longing.
Pause for 2 minutes of silence, imagining your soul
drinking deeply from God’s presence.
💬 Pull Quote
“My soul loves Jesus-this is my testimony, my song, my rest.”
🌱 Group Engagement
Share a moment when you felt your soul thirsting for God.
Your soul thirsts for God.
Encourage one another with scriptures that speak of longing and fulfillment in Christ.
Here’s a fill-in-the-blank for personal reflection or group engagement.
✨ Lesson 1: The Song of the Soul
Scripture Focus: Psalm 42:1-2
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my
God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
Teaching Points
1. The soul’s deepest hunger is not for ____________, but for
___________.
2. The psalmist uses the image of _________to describe spiritual longing.
3. In_____________, the soul’s longing finds rest and satisfaction.
Reflection Prompts
Where do you feel spiritual thirst in your life right now?
→ I feel thirsty for God when_______________.
How do you recognize when your soul is longing for Jesus?
→ I notice my soul longing when _____________
What practices help you turn longing into worship?
→ I turn longing into worship by______________.
Ritual Practice
Being each day with the phrase:
“My soul loves Jesus.”
Sing or hum a worship chorus that expresses longing.
Pause for 2 minutes of silence, imagining your soul drinking
deeply from God’s _________________.
Minister Debra Evon Stith
