God Loves Every Body

God Loves Every Body

March 3, 2024

Series: Be Well

Krista Reyna

Krista Reyna

Audio Download

Listen to Messages

What is the relationship between the body and the spirit? Many of our greatest successes (and struggles) are rooted in how we understand the body|spirit connection. This week in our BE WELL series, we’ll look one of Jesus’ most celebrated miracles – raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. We’ll see what this event has to say to us about God’s loving plan for the intersection between our physical, mental, and spiritual health!

Watch Full Service

Groups Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction

Last week we talked about paying attention to our wellness as it relates to our food and how food should help us worship, show gratitude to, and remember God and his relationship with us. This should point us to seek nourishment from Jesus and his teachings.  

Take a few minutes to ask how everyone is doing and how they have been seeking God in the way they view and interact with food over the past week.  

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Key Verse for the Week

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Isaiah 64:8 

“And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.

Connect   

  • What do you think of when you hear the word “wholeness”? What does wholeness mean? 
    • How often do you feel like wholeness is present in your life? What is the main reason you do or do not feel this way? 
  • How necessary do you think having a healthy connection between our emotions, our mind, and our body is? How often do you feel misaligned when it comes to your mind and body?  
    • What do you do to address this misalignment? 

Opening Thought  

Our culture is great at trying to emphasize good emotional, mental, and physical wellness for people. The ways in which these things are encouraged can at times be off-balanced with the spiritual life. This can sometimes cause a sense of separation. Jesus invites us to integrate a relationship with him for true wholeness when pursuing good wellness in our lives.  

This leads us to our big idea for this week:  

Big idea for the week
We can live in the truth that Jesus loves our mind + body  

Unpack 

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions. 

Read  

Genesis 1:27 

Ephesians 2:10 

Unpack 

  • How do you view yourself?
    • How often is this view negative?
    • How often do you view yourself as a being with worth and purpose? 
  • What is an image? What do you think being made in God’s image means?  
  • Why is it important that we remember we are created to reflect the good works of God?  

Read 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

Unpack 

  • Based on these verses, how do you think you can you train yourself to be like Jesus? How does this relate to your mind and body?  
  • How do these verses apply to the way you think about your mental and physcial health?  

Read 

The next section we will read is a longer section so feel free to split it between readers. This section is the Missionary/Apostle Paul speaking to the people within the church of the city of Colossae (a city in modern-day Turkey). This section is Paul talking about what the practical realities of living a daily life with Christ should be for those who follow Jesus’ teachings. Pay attention to the way he calls his audience to act both mentally and physically:  

Read  

Colossians 3:1-10  

Unpack 

  • In verse 5 it says: “put to death sinful, earthly things”. Sin is anything you do, say, or think that places our hearts in a place that is separated from God.  
    • How does separating yourself from God affect a person’s emotional, mental, and physical wellness? Why do you think the Apostle Paul emphasized this? 
  • Based on these verses, what part of living a new life of wholeness in Jesus do you think is the most difficult to practice? Which part is the most exciting? 
  • Verse 4 in the section talks about us sharing in Jesus’ glory as we believe and live out our faith according to his teachings. How could us practicing wholeness bring glory to God? 
  • How can living a life dedicated to prayer and connection with Jesus help your physical and mental wellness flourish? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • How will you invite Jesus into your emotional and mental health this week? 
  • How will you choose to give God glory by taking care of your mind and body this week?  
  • How will your group choose to help each other achieve these goals? 

Closing 

Read the first section with your group, then move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

When we invite Jesus into our emotional, mental, and physical health, we can find true wellness in these areas. Our spiritual relationship with Jesus speaks into each of these areas, and to follow Jesus well, we can ask God to give us a wholistic connection between these areas. This is one more way we find lasting wellness in our lives when it comes to our bodies, minds, and emotions. Let’s do this together with Jesus being our guide and foundation! 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Psalm 139:13 

Day 2: Psalm 139:14 

Day 3: Psalm 139:15 

Day 4: 1 Corinthians 3:16 

Day 5: Hebrews 4:16 

Day 6: Romans 12:2 

Key Verse for the Week  

Isaiah 64:8 

“And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” 

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.