Journal Prompts: What Is the Self Biblically?
1. Exploring the Image of God in You
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27
Reflect on what it means that you bear God's image—that your worth is ontological (based on your being) rather than functional (based on your doing):
- What aspects of God's character do you see reflected in how He uniquely created you? (Consider your creativity, capacity for love, ability to make choices, unique gifts, personality traits, etc.)
2. Holding the Tension: Beloved AND Broken
"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The biblical self is both fallen (affected by sin) and beloved (cherished by God). Sit with this paradox:
- What happens inside you when you focus only on your sinfulness and brokenness? How does that affect your relationship with God, yourself, and others?
3. Dying to Self vs. Neglecting Self
"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'" - Luke 9:23
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me... My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." - Matthew 26:38-39
Jesus modeled both honest self-awareness AND surrender to the Father's will. Explore what dying to self actually means:
- Make two lists: In one column, write what you've been taught "dying to self" means. In the other, write what Jesus actually modeled in Gethsemane (expressing feelings honestly, asking for needs to be met, stating what He wanted, then surrendering His will to the Father's).
4. Stewarding the Self God Gave You
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
You are not your own—you're a steward of the life, body, mind, and calling God has entrusted to you:
- If you truly viewed yourself as God's temple and His handiwork that He is entrusting to your care, how would you treat yourself differently? What would change about your self-talk, your boundaries, your rest rhythms, or how you respond to your needs?
Take your time with these prompts. Let the Holy Spirit meet you in the process of discovery. There's no rush—healing and transformation happen in honest reflection and God's gentle leading, not in perfectly crafted answers.
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