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 Sept 13th
Kingdom People

OVERVIEW

This Sunday, Kyle brought a word to inspire and encourage. 

Matthew 6:33 teaches us to put God’s Kingdom and His ways first in every area of our lives. Instead of allowing worry about our needs, future, or circumstances to control us, Jesus invites us to trust that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and will care for us.

The heart of the teaching is simple: our responsibility is to seek God first; we can trust Him with everything else. As we surrender our need for control and align our priorities with His Kingdom, we learn to live from faith rather than worry.

KEY POINTS
  1. Seek God First — Make God’s Kingdom, His presence, and His ways the highest priority rather than allowing other pursuits to take first place.
  2. Trust God With Your Needs — We don’t have to live controlled by worry. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need, so we can trust Him while faithfully following Him.
  3. Choose Faith Over Control — Seeking the Kingdom means surrendering our need to control outcomes and asking, “God, what does obedience to You look like in this situation?”

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 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
  • Matthew 6:24-34

OBSERVATION

Jesus speaks these words in the middle of a teaching about worry. He has been addressing the things people naturally become anxious about, food, clothing, tomorrow, and whether they will have enough.

Jesus doesn’t simply tell us to stop worrying. Instead, He gives us something greater to pursue: the Kingdom of God.

To “seek first” means that God’s Kingdom becomes our highest priority. Before our comfort, success, finances, plans, reputation, or security, we ask: What does God want? Where is He at work? How can I live His way in this situation?

Jesus invites us to shift our focus from what we need to what God is doing. We can trust our Father with the things we cannot control while faithfully pursuing His Kingdom and His righteousness.

The promise isn’t that following Jesus will give us everything we want. It is that we don't have to build our lives around anxiety and self-preservation. We pursue the Kingdom; we trust the King with our needs.

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

Q1. - What do you think it practically means to “seek first the Kingdom of God”? What might that look like in everyday life?

Q2. - What tends to compete with God for first place in your life? Where are you most tempted to seek security, success, approval, or control?

Q3. - How does the context of worry in Matthew 6:25–34 change the way you understand verse 33? What connection do you see between seeking God's Kingdom and overcoming anxiety?

Q4. - What is one area of your life where God may be inviting you to trust Him and seek His Kingdom first this week? What practical step could you take?

APPLICATION

It is easy to say that God comes first while allowing worry, ambition, relationships, money, or our plans to receive most of our attention.

Matthew 6:33 invites us to examine what we are actually seeking.

Today, identify one area where worry or personal ambition has been driving you. Instead of asking first, “How do I make this work?” try asking, “Jesus, what would seeking Your Kingdom look like here?”

Then take one practical step of obedience.

Seeking first the Kingdom happens in everyday decisions, how we spend our time, handle our money, treat people, respond to conflict, approach our work, and make plans for the future.

When the Kingdom becomes our priority, trust replaces the need to control everything.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You that I do not have to carry the weight of providing for and controlling every part of my life. Teach me to seek Your Kingdom first. Show me the places where worry, comfort, success, or my own plans have become more important than following You. Give me the courage to trust You with what I need and the wisdom to recognize where You are working. Shape my priorities, decisions, relationships, and desires so that my life reflects Your Kingdom. Today, help me seek You first and trust You with everything else. 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.
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  • 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.
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