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 20th
Beautiful People of the Kingdom of Heaven No.1

OVERVIEW

Beautiful People – Episode 1: Pieces of Heaven introduces Jesus’ vision for life in the Kingdom of Heaven through Matthew 4 and prepares the way for the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus announces, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” inviting people not simply to think about going to heaven someday, but to experience and participate in God’s rule and reign here and now.

This Sunday's message described followers of Jesus as “Beautiful People," people whose lives bring pieces of heaven into the world around them. Three qualities define these people: they are led by Jesus, shaped by grace, and moved by love. As Jesus transforms us from the inside out, we become people who extend His goodness, grace, healing, hope, and love to others.

KEY POINTS
  1. The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now. - Jesus begins His ministry with the announcement, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The message emphasizes that Jesus wasn’t simply talking about going to heaven someday; He was announcing that God’s rule and reign were becoming present through Him. The invitation is to turn from our own way of living and begin living under the leadership of God.
  2. Beautiful People are led by Jesus. - Jesus’ invitation is simple: “Come and follow me.” Followers actually follow. Jesus—not culture, Christian celebrities, pastors, our desires, or other voices—must remain at the front of the line. Following Him means allowing His words, character, and example to influence our relationships, priorities, resources, desires, and everyday decisions.
  3. Beautiful People are shaped by grace. - Grace is the unearned and unmerited favor of God. Jesus called ordinary fishermen rather than waiting for impressive or perfectly qualified people. His invitation was essentially, follow Me, and I will transform you. Discipleship, therefore, isn't merely about what we do; it's about who we are becoming. God's grace transforms us from the inside out so that our words, attitudes, actions, and decisions increasingly resemble Jesus.
  4. Beautiful People are moved by love. - Jesus didn't love people from a safe distance. He moved toward hurting, sick, broken, and messy people. The message captures this with the phrase, “Only love gets close enough to know.” Beautiful People are willing to enter the messiness of people's lives, carry burdens, care for others, and make the love of Jesus tangible.

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 4:17-23  

OBSERVATION

Following Jesus is more than believing certain things about Him; it is allowing Jesus to lead and transform our entire lives. The message gives us three pictures of what that transformation looks like: Beautiful People are led by Jesus, shaped by grace, and moved by love.

Being led by Jesus means He, not culture, Christian celebrities, leaders, or our own desires, sets the direction for our lives. Being shaped by grace means His undeserved goodness transforms us from the inside out so that our attitudes, actions, decisions, and relationships increasingly reflect Him. And being moved by love means getting close enough to people to know them, carry their burdens, and demonstrate the love of Jesus in the messiness of real life.

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

Q1. - What does it practically mean for you to be “led by Jesus”? Are there areas of your life where someone or something else has taken the lead?

Q2. - This Sunday we learned that discipleship is about “becoming more like Jesus for the sake of others.” Where have you seen God's grace changing you from the inside out? Where would you still like Him to shape you?

Q3. - “Only love gets close enough to know.” Why can it be easier to speak truth from a distance than to love someone up close? Who might Jesus be inviting you to get closer to, listen to, or care for?

Q4. - What would it look like for you to bring a “piece of heaven” into your everyday world this week? Think about your home, workplace, school, neighbourhood, friendships, or church community. How could being led by Jesus, shaped by grace, and moved by love change the way you show up there?

APPLICATION

Ask yourself: Who or what is actually leading my life? Following Jesus means allowing His words, ways, and example to shape our everyday rhythms, relationships, priorities, resources, desires, and decisions.

Then consider how His grace is changing you. Becoming like Jesus isn't simply about changing outward behavior; it is about being transformed from the inside out. Finally, look for someone you can intentionally love this week. Instead of loving from a distance, get close enough to listen, care, serve, encourage, and carry someone else's burden. In doing so, we become pieces of heaven, making God's Kingdom visible and tangible wherever He has placed us.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for inviting me into Your Kingdom and calling me to follow You. Help me surrender every part of my life to Your leadership. Shape my heart by Your grace so that I become more like You for the sake of others.

Teach me to love people the way You do. Give me the courage to get close to people who are hurting, struggling, or simply need someone to care. May my words, actions, relationships, and everyday life bring a piece of heaven wherever You have placed me.

Make me a person who is led by You, shaped by grace, and moved by 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