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 June 28th
Christian or Christlike?

OVERVIEW

Jesus began His ministry by making an announcement and extending an invitation: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near... Follow Me." His call wasn't simply to believe in Him, but to become like Him. The first disciples responded immediately, leaving behind their old lives to follow Jesus and be transformed by Him.

PC launched into a new teaching series that has been designed to challenge BeLoved to examine whether we are merely Christians by name or Christlike by nature. Authentic discipleship is marked by wholehearted devotion, consistent worship with God's people, and a willingness to share Jesus with others. The invitation Jesus gave 2,000 years ago still remains the same today, to follow Him, be transformed by Him, and help others experience the life and freedom found in His Kingdom.

KEY POINTS

There are 4 practical steps we can take to embark on the journey towards being Christlike:

  • Repent – Turn away from self-centered living and turn toward Jesus.
  • Follow – Becoming like Jesus in every aspect of our daily lives.
  • Respond – Live our lives with wholehearted devotion to Jesus and The Way of Jesus.
  • Go – Help others to know and follow Jesus.

Two practical marks of a devoted follower emerged Sunday:

  • Commit to worshiping with God's people consistently. Gathering with the church strengthens our faith and keeps Christ at the center of our lives.
  • Talk about Jesus every day. The gospel isn't meant to be hidden. As Jesus transformed us, we are called to lovingly share that hope with others.

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 4:17–20 (ESV) "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' ... And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

OBSERVATION

Jesus' ministry began with two simple but life-changing actions: an announcement and an invitation.

First, He announced that the Kingdom of Heaven had arrived. This wasn't simply new information, it was good news that God's rule had come near through Jesus, the promised Messiah. His message called people to repent, meaning to turn away from their old way of living and toward God's better way.

Second, Jesus invited ordinary people to follow Him. Simon Peter and Andrew weren't religious elites; they were fishermen. Yet Jesus called them not only to believe in Him but to become like Him. His invitation wasn't just to attend or admire, it was to be transformed.

The disciples response is striking: "Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." They trusted Jesus enough to reorder their priorities and step into a new purpose.

The BIG question is: Are we simply Christians by name, or are we becoming Christlike in character? Following Jesus is more than identifying with Him; it's allowing Him to shape our lives so that we live, give, and serve as He did.

Here are four discussion questions based on the observation points from the message:

Q1. The Announcement - Jesus began His ministry by announcing, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near." What do you think repentance looks like in everyday life, and is there an area where God may be inviting you to turn toward Him more fully? What makes repentance difficult, and how have you experienced God's grace through it?

Q2. The Invitation - Jesus invited ordinary fishermen to follow Him and become "fishers of people." What do you think it means to follow Jesus today—not just believe in Him—and how is He inviting you to become more like Him? What "nets" (comfort, habits, fears, priorities) might God be asking you to leave behind?

Q3. The Response - Peter and Andrew responded immediately to Jesus' invitation. What tends to keep people from responding wholeheartedly to Jesus today, and what does wholehearted devotion look like in your current season of life? If someone observed your life this week, would they see someone who is simply a Christian or someone becoming Christlike?

Q4. The Mission - The message on Sunday challenged us to worship faithfully and talk about Jesus daily. Which of these is more challenging for you, and what is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally live out your faith? Who is one person God may be inviting you to encourage, pray for, or have a spiritual conversation with this week?

 APPLICATION

Jesus' invitation is still extended today: "Follow Me."

Following Him requires more than agreement, it requires surrender. Let's commit as a church to move beyond simply calling ourselves a Christian and intentionally become more like Christ in our attitudes, priorities, and actions.

This week l commit to:

  • Make worship with my church family a priority.
  • Spend time with Jesus daily so He can continue transforming me.
  • Look for one opportunity each day to naturally talk about Jesus or share what He has done in my life.
  • Ask myself regularly: Am I living like someone who follows Jesus, or simply someone who says they do?

True discipleship isn't about perfection, it's about continually responding "yes" to Jesus' invitation.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to announce the good news of Your Kingdom and to invite me into a life of purpose and transformation. Thank You for loving me enough to call me, even in my ordinary life.

Forgive me for the times I've been content to wear the label "Christian" without pursuing a life that reflects Christ. Help me to truly repent, to turn away from anything that keeps me from following You wholeheartedly.

Teach me to become more like Jesus each day. Give me a heart that worships You faithfully, courage to speak about You openly, and compassion to invite others into the hope I've found in You.

May my life point people not to myself, but to Jesus, so that others may experience His grace, truth, and transforming love.

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