In this episode, Matt Edmundson provides a comprehensive recap of our 23-week journey exploring Biblical wholeness, focusing primarily on spiritual health as the foundation. He clarifies what true wholeness means from a Biblical perspective and sets the stage for our upcoming exploration of soul health – addressing our mind, will, and emotions.

Join us as we revisit the key lessons learned about identity in Christ, Christ living within us, abundant life, purposeful design, the fruit of the Spirit, and spiritual disciplines. Discover why wholeness isn't self-improvement but a transformative gift from God that affects every aspect of our lives.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction

Anna and Sharon welcome everyone to the service and introduce the return to our "Becoming Whole" series after completing Genesis.

00:01:57 - What Biblical Wholeness Really Means

Matt begins by clarifying what wholeness isn't – it's not self-improvement focusing on external changes while neglecting internal transformation. Biblical wholeness is defined as "nothing missing, nothing broken, complete in every part, through and through, no part wanting or unsound."

00:04:00 - The Five Areas of Biblical Wholeness

Matt revisits the tree metaphor with the five key areas of wholeness:

• Spirit (trunk) – Our connection with God
• Soul (branches) – Our mental and emotional wellbeing
• Body – Our physical health
• Relational – Our connections with others
• Economic – Our approach to work and money

A recap of six fundamental aspects of spiritual health:

1. Our identity in Christ – Finding ourselves by taking our eyes off ourselves
2. Christ living in us – Like a hand working through a glove
3. Living life abundantly – Finding contentment regardless of circumstances
4. Discovering our purpose as God's workmanship
5. Growing in the fruit of the Spirit
6. Practicing spiritual disciplines

Matt introduces the next phase focusing on soul health – our mind, will, and emotions – covering topics like forgiveness, letting go of the past, renewing our minds, emotional resilience, gratitude, and hope.

00:31:33 - Conversation Street: Personal Transformations

The team shares powerful personal stories about identity and growth:

• Anna discusses becoming less driven by self-effort and achievement
• Sharon shares her journey of understanding what it means to be a "new creation"
• Matt reflects on finding confidence in Christ rather than achievements
• The team discusses which fruits of the Spirit have been most transformative in their lives

Key Scriptures:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – "May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
• Colossians 3:3 – "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
• John 10:10 – "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
• Philippians 4:12-13 – "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty... I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
• Ephesians 2:10 – "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Keywords: biblical wholeness, spiritual health, identity in Christ, soul health, Christian transformation, fruit of the Spirit, abundant life, spiritual disciplines, Christian wholeness, becoming whole, mental wellbeing, emotional health, Christ in me, purpose in Christ, Liverpool church