What is SOAP?

SOAP is an acronym for: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. As you prepare for participating in City Group this week, we invite you to write down your thoughts in a journal. Journaling is a great way to record and process your thoughts & what God is sharing with you.

Week of January 5th
The Presence of The Holy Spirit

OVERVIEW

The spirit of life... the essence of truth... the voice of God. He has always been here, and will always remain. And when you are alone, lost, and afraid, Holy Spirit is our leader, our comforter, our strength, our counsellor, our guide, our teacher, and so much more.

This week Pastor Chris' kicked off a new series, " I Know a Ghost" and taught us that the Presence of The Holy Ghost is ever present and for every believer. Many have either experienced either an over-emphasis or an under-emphasis of the Holy Spirit. BeLoved is a Spirit-filled Church and here by God's grace in Nanaimo to make a tangible difference. We must understand Holy Spirit and His workings in us, through us, and how He intends to reveal himself through his great church.

KEY POINTS

  • The Church often has experienced an under-emphasis or over-emphasis of the Holy Spirit.
  • Two reasons many live a Spirit-less life. They are unaware that He even exists or they are resisting Him.
  • The Holy Spirit will:
    • Comfort us - The Holy Spirit is called a Comforter and he will comfort you when you are hurting
    • Counsel us - He is your counselor, he is your guide and If you don’t know what to do, he can direct you
    • Convict us - Holy Spirit will convict you of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.

SCRIPTURE

As we read aloud through these verses, let's pause, reflect, and listen for what Holy Spirit might be saying to you through the Word of God.

Key scriptures from Sunday.

  • Read John 14:16-17 and John 16:7 These verses describe why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be among us and to interact in our lives. The Holy Spirit is not a thing or an “it,” He is a part of the person of God.
  • Read Acts 19:1-2 and Acts 7:51. These verses show that many of us are living a Spirit-less life by either not being aware of the Holy Spirit or resisting the Holy Spirit.
  • Read John 16:12-13, Isaiah 30:31, and John 16:8-9. These verses show how the Holy Spirit is the voice of God we need to guide us.

OBSERVATION

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

Q1. What was your understanding of the Holy Spirit before this week’s message?

Q2. Why is having the Holy Spirit being active in our lives such an important part of our walk with Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit being in us better than having Jesus on earth with us?

Q3. In what ways are you living a Spirit-less life currently?

Q4. When you think back, can you see a time when the Holy Spirit was leading you? Did He comfort, counsel, or convict you? Describe how you need His presence in your life. 

Personal Reflection Question:

  • What steps are you willing to take to live a Spirit-filled life?

APPLICATION

  • This week: Use these prayer tips to guide your time with God this week to expand your conversations both in person and online in Church Center:
    • Read John 14:16-17. Thank God in prayer for the Holy Spirit. Seek to develop a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit by spending more time listening for His voice.
    • Read Acts 19:1-2 and 7:51. Pray and ask God to help you become more aware of the Holy Spirit in your life and to not resist His direction.
    • Read John 14:15-17. Commit to obey when the Holy Spirit leads you. Pray that God will help you be more responsive to His voice.
    • Read John 16:13. Pray about any situations that you need guidance from God. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s counsel.
    • Read John 16:7-8. Confess in prayer any sin that is in your life. Let the Holy Spirit convict you and change you from the inside out.

  • Consider how you could love others by serving on a team this Sunday at BeLoved.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for your Spirit, freely given, that we may freely receive, empowering us to live, give, serve like you. Help us to grow in our awareness of your presence at work in our lives. Help us to slow our minds and lives so that we may hear your small still voice. Holy Spirit come, work in us and through us, that you God may be gloroified in the earth today. In Jesus name, Amen.

WATCH THE MESSAGE LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE
Next Steps

Our heart for you in taking a "Next Step" is to help you grow in becoming more and more like Jesus.

  • Invite. Everyone is only one invitation away from coming to church with you. We are here to reach 1% of our city. Take a step, be bold, bring someone to church with you Sunday.
  • Invest. Investing financially at BeLoved helps us to stay on mission. You can find the best way to give at belovedchurch.ca/give Take a step, start your faithful practice of tithes and offering.
  • Discover. Embark on the journey at belovedchurch.ca/grow Take a step and invest into your discipleship journey at BeLoved.
  • Serve. Jesus came to serve rather than to be served. Love on others like Jesus by jumping on a team and serving on the weekend at BeLoved. Help move God's great Church forward.
  • Get baptized. Congratulations! Take a step to "Go ALL IN for Jesus." Register online at belovedchurch.ca/baptism