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 October 4th
Beautiful People of the Kingdom of Heaven No.3

OVERVIEW

Beautiful People – Episode 3: Attractive Contrast. 

This Sunday we continued the series "Beautiful People" through Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:13–16, where He tells His followers, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” Jesus isn't simply giving His followers something to do; He is telling them who they are. Because we have been transformed by Jesus, we are called to live as an “attractive contrast” to the culture around us. We are Christ-empowered people whose lives bring hope, healing, love, and the presence of God's Kingdom wherever we live, work, study, and play.

KEY POINTS

Like salt, followers of Jesus are called to preserve, purify, create spiritual thirst, soften hard hearts, and participate in healing. Like light, we don't run away from darkness; we shine into it. Our influence doesn't come from forcing something or having all the answers, it is the natural overflow of knowing Jesus and reflecting what He has done in us.

Through the example of Paul and Silas in Acts 16, we can apply the teaching that salt-and-light living changes lives. Even in suffering, their faith was visible, and their love toward the jailer ultimately created an opportunity for him and his household to encounter Jesus.

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 the series.

  • Matthew 5:13-16 

    “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

 

OBSERVATION

Jesus doesn't say, “Try really hard to become salt and light.” He says, “You are.” Our influence begins with understanding who we have become because of Jesus.

Salt makes a noticeable difference wherever it is present, and light changes the environment simply by shining. In the same way, followers of Jesus are meant to be an attractive contrast in the world around them. We don't run away from brokenness, darkness, or people who live differently from us. Instead, empowered by Christ, we move toward people with grace, truth, compassion, and love.

Paul and Silas demonstrate this beautifully. Even after suffering and imprisonment, they prayed and worshipped. Their faith wasn't something they manufactured for an audience; it flowed naturally from who they had become. Like the moon reflecting the sun, followers of Jesus are called to reflect the Son.

Here are four discussion questions drawn directly from the message that encourage both biblical reflection and personal application:

Q1. - Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” How does understanding this as your identity, not simply something you are supposed to do, change the way you think about following Jesus?

Q2. - ThIs Sunday's message described salt as something that preserves, purifies, creates thirst, melts, and heals. Which of these pictures most challenges or encourages you right now? How could God use you in that way in someone else’s life?

Q3. - “Darkness isn’t something you run from. When you’re light, you shine into it.” Where are you tempted to avoid people or situations because they feel difficult, messy, or spiritually dark? What could it look like to respond with the love and compassion of Jesus instead?

Q4. - Think about where you live, work, study, and play. What is one practical way you can be an “attractive contrast” and let the light of Jesus naturally shine through your life this week?

APPLICATION

Ask yourself: Am I hiding my light, or am I allowing Jesus to shine through my everyday life?

Being salt and light doesn't require having all the answers or knowing everything in the Bible before God can use you. Often, people aren't first interested in how much we know, they want to know how much we care.

This week, instead of avoiding darkness, look for an opportunity to shine into it. Show compassion to someone who is hurting. Encourage someone who feels forgotten. Bring peace into a tense environment. Share what Jesus has done in your life. Demonstrate grace toward someone others have rejected.

Wherever you live, work, study, and play, remember your identity: You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. You are a Christ-empowered influencer, and your life can make a difference.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for transforming me and giving my life purpose. Thank You for calling me the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Help me understand who I am because of You. Give me the courage not to hide my faith or run away from the darkness around me. Instead, teach me to bring Your hope, grace, truth, compassion, and love wherever You have placed me.

Let my life create a thirst in others to know You. Use me to soften hard hearts, bring healing to hurting people, and shine Your light into dark places.

May my life be an attractive contrast that points people toward You. Help me remember that I don't have to produce the light on my own, I simply need to reflect You.

Let Your love naturally overflow through me so that others can see You through the way I live.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

WHAT NEXT? SERVE ON A TEAM
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