It Starts Small

Hello Friends in Christ!

What an amazing year 2025 has been. It has not lacked in trials and spiritual battle, but if you are reading this, it means you are still here and God has more for you! This next year we are going to do something a little different. Instead of monthly plans, we are going to work through plans that extend beyond a month. To start with we are going to focus our hearts on Song of Solomon. Some call it, the Song of Songs.

Song of Solomon – A Love like no Other

Song of Solomon is a rich and vibrant collection of poetry exploring the beauty of romantic love and intimacy within the context of a committed relationship. Though its frank celebration of physical affection may seem startling to some, Jewish and Christian interpreters have long found a profound spiritual allegory within its verses. By delving into the passionate expressions of the bride and groom, we gain insight into the deep, covenantal love God has for his people, a relationship meant to be joyful, committed, and exclusive. When viewed through this spiritual lens, the book becomes a mirror, reflecting not only the ideal of human love but also the image of a divine romance between a heavenly bridegroom and his beloved.

This study will go beyond traditional theological interpretations by integrating insights from modern psychology and neuroscience to enhance our understanding of the text’s allegorical depth. We will explore the emotional dynamics of attachment, desire, and commitment as understood by psychology, and how these concepts illuminate the spiritual longing and intimacy depicted in the Song. Furthermore, we will consider the neurochemistry of love, examining how the brain’s reward centers and bonding hormones—like dopamine and oxytocin—create experiences of pleasure and connection that can parallel our spiritual cravings for the divine. By combining these diverse lenses, you are invited to engage in a deeply personal and introspective journey, allowing the poetic dialogue to prompt an examination of your own relationship with God and encouraging a fresh, multi-faceted appreciation for the divine love story it reveals.

This study is deeply introspective. The purpose is to get us to look inward and ask the better questions about ourselves and our relationship with the Lord. You will need a separate writing journal for this series. It does not need to be a fancy. Just functional. At the end of each day are several deep introspective questions to ponder over.

This study will be broken into the following sections:

Week 1: Christ’s Initiating Love

Week 2: The Joy of Being Chosen

Week 3: Beneath His Covering Of Love

Week 4: Longing for the Beloved

Week 5: The King Rejoices Over You

Week 6: Maturing in Intimacy and Obedience

Week 7: The Seal of Unending Love

At the end of the full devotional, there are more journaling prompts to reflect upon.

There are two journals for download. The first has S.O.A.P pages to study scripture using the soap method along with the devotional. The second has the S.O.A.P pages removed and is just the devotionals. The PDF for both is close to or just over 300 pages depending upon the version you choose. I have also broken each section into it’s own PDF for download. The breakdowns have the S.O.A.P sheets included.

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© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.