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 Aug 24
Generous People

OVERVIEW

Generosity isn't something God is demanding from us. It's something he's inviting us to. Giving is what we do. Generous is who we are. As we study through 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, we see Paul encouraging the Christians in Corinth to be generous like Jesus. Previously, the Corinthians had said, "we want to give, we're going to give, and we plan to give". They even started to give, but somehow along the way they stopped. They had good intentions, but didn't have follow through. Paul is teaching them to "finish the ministry of giving". Giving is very, very spiritual. It's a ministry, much like praying and reading your Bible, or serving others.

This Sunday, Pastor Chris shared 3 qualities of generous people.

  1. Generous people give willingly.
  2. Generous people give proportionately.
  3. Generous people give sacrificially.

SCRIPTURE

Read aloud in your group, pause, reflect, and listen for what Holy Spirit might be saying to you through the Word of God.

Key scripture from Sunday.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:10-12

Additional scriptures

  • Isaiah 32:8
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2
  • Mark 12:41-44
  • Leviticus 27:30

OBSERVATION

Q. Read Isaiah 32:8. What are some ways people can plan to be generous? What might make it difficult for people to "stand firm" in their generosity?

Q. What are some reasons followers of Jesus are called to be generous?

Q. Generous people give willingly, proportionately, and sacrificially. Which of those three qualities would you like to grow in most?

Q. What is one step you could take this week to become a more generous person? A next step could like making a plan, maybe giving for the first time, or start with asking the Lord to help you in this area.

APPLICATION

Consider how could you use your resources—time, money, talents, or experiences—to bless someone else. Make a plan. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

  • Start the Being Generous: With and Without Money Bible Plan: www.go2.lc/enough
  • Love others by serving on a team at church or with a local mission partner.

PRAYER

Dear God, You know what I need each day. Please provide for my daily needs and help me be generous like You. Give me courage to use my resources to do good, even when it feels uncomfortable. Show me ways I can be generous with my time, money, and other resources this week. 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