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 July 26th
Eternity Minded

OVERVIEW

We are in a message series designed to help us examine whether we are merely "Christians" by indentity alone or are we actually becoming Christlike? This Sunday we examined the thought, "Fakers focus on the temporary, but followers fix their eyes on the eternal."

Jesus never invited people to simply identify as Christians; He invited them to become disciples. His call is costly: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. True discipleship is marked by surrender, sacrifice, and obedience, not merely belief or religious appearance.

KEY POINTS

The Sunday's message challenged us as believers to examine whether we are merely identifying as Christians or truly becoming Christlike. While everything we pursue in this life, success, relationships, achievements, and even life itself, is temporary, the gospel offers an eternal hope through Jesus. Following Christ does not make life easier, but it gives purpose, strength, and the promise that suffering is temporary while God's blessings are eternal. Looking at Paul's life, we learn to fix our eyes on eternity by remembering God's faithfulness, taking obedient steps today, and holding onto God's promises for the future. True followers of Jesus live with an eternal perspective rather than being consumed by temporary circumstances.

PC offered us 3 things to help us fix our eyes on the eternal? 

  1. Remember what God has done.
  2. Do the right thing today.
  3. Hold onto what God will do.

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. 

2 Corinthians 4:16–18  "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day... So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Additional Scriptures

  • Acts 9:15–16, 26-31
  • Acts 14: 19-20
  • Acts 16:22–34
  • Acts 20:22–24
  • Romans 8:28
  • Romans 5:2–5
  • Matthew 6:19–21

OBSERVATION

Paul understood that hardship is part of following Jesus. Instead of focusing on temporary struggles, he fixed his eyes on God's eternal promises. His life demonstrates that God remains faithful through suffering and uses every act of obedience to accomplish His purposes. Followers of Jesus are called to remember God's past faithfulness, obey Him today, and trust Him with the future

The following 4 questions will help you to unpack what it means to choose to serve others before self.

Q1. - What temporary thing (success, relationships, comfort, possessions, or worries) most competes for your attention, and how can you intentionally fix your eyes on what is eternal this week?

Q2. - Paul remembered God's faithfulness during hardship. Can you share a time when God carried you through a difficult season? How does remembering His faithfulness encourage you in your current circumstances?

Q3. - We learned Sunday that, "Following Jesus will make your life better, but it won't make your life easier." How have you experienced this truth in your own walk with Christ?

Q4. - This Sunday PC challenged us to "do the right thing today." What is one step of obedience you believe God is asking you to take right now, and what might be holding you back from taking it?

 APPLICATION

It's easy to become consumed by temporary problems, disappointments, or even temporary successes. Instead of allowing today's circumstances to determine my outlook, I can choose to remember how God has already been faithful, take the next step of obedience He is calling me to today, and trust that He is still working even when I cannot see the outcome. An eternal perspective gives hope, perseverance, and purpose in every season.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that this world is temporary but Your promises are eternal. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You instead of my circumstances. Give me the courage to obey You today, even when the future is uncertain. Strengthen my faith through every hardship, remind me of Your faithfulness, and help me trust that You are working all things together for Your glory and my good. May my life reflect the heart of a true follower of Jesus. 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