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 5th
Fearless Faith

OVERVIEW

Following Jesus isn't about having all the answers or pretending to have perfect faith. Following Jesus is about trusting Jesus enough to take the next step of obedience. Fear often keeps us from living boldly for Christ, causing us to settle for appearances rather than authentic discipleship. Through Peter's life, we see that becoming fearless isn't about never failing; it's about continually choosing faith, receiving Christ's forgiveness when we fall, and allowing Him to transform us. Followers are not fearless because they are strong, they are fearless because they have been with Jesus.

KEY POINTS

Fear has a way of keeping us from becoming the people God has created us to be. We often imagine ourselves as courageous in the big moments of life, yet struggle to obey God in the small, everyday moments. The reality is this:

"If we won't do the small things that scare us, we won't do the big things that scare us."

Peter's story illustrates the journey of every follower of Jesus. There are a 4 things we can take away from Sunday to choose Faith over Fear.

1. Choose Faith - When Jesus called Peter to leave his fishing nets, Peter immediately obeyed (Matthew 4). His faith wasn't just belief, it was trust that led to obedience.

Faith isn't pretending to know everything. Faith is trust based on evidence that leads to obedience.

As Peter experienced Jesus' power and faithfulness, his confidence grew. Every step of obedience strengthened his faith for the next step.

2. Expect to Fall Short - Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water, but when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the storm, fear overwhelmed his faith and he began to sink. Later, despite boldly declaring he would never deny Jesus, Peter denied Him three times.

Fear has a way of making us into people we never intended to become.

Failure is part of the discipleship journey.

3. Receive Forgiveness - Peter's greatest failure was not his denial, it would have been refusing Jesus' forgiveness. After His resurrection, Jesus lovingly restored Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, asking three times, "Do you love Me?," one question for every denial.

Jesus doesn't define us by our failures. He restores us so we can continue His mission.

4. Grow Into Fearless Faith - The same Peter who once denied knowing Jesus later stood before the very authorities who crucified Christ and boldly proclaimed:

"Salvation is found in no one else..." (Acts 4:12)

What changed? Peter had been with Jesus. Fear no longer controlled him. Faith did.

Authentic discipleship isn't the absence of fear. It's choosing obedience despite fear because Jesus is trustworthy.

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. 

1 John 4:18-19 (NIV) "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment... We love because he first loved us."

Additional Scriptures

  • Matthew 4:19-20
  • Matthew 14:25-31
  • Matthew 26:33-35
  • John 21:15-19
  • Acts 4:10-13

OBSERVATION

The following 4 questions will help you to unpack what it means to choose Faith over Fear.

Q1. - Choose Faith. Peter's faith led him to leave everything and follow Jesus. What is one area of your life where God is asking you to trust Him more deeply?

Q2. - Facing Fear. The Sunday PC said, "If you won't do the small things that scare you, you won't do the big things that scare you." What "small thing" might God be asking you to do this week that requires courage?

Q3. - Receiving Grace. Peter experienced failure, but Jesus met him with forgiveness instead of condemnation. Why do you think it's often harder to receive God's forgiveness than it is to ask for it?

Q4. - Becoming Christlike. The religious leaders of the day recognized Peter and John because "they had been with Jesus." If someone observed your life this week, what evidence would suggest you've been spending time with Jesus? What is one practical way you can deepen your relationship with Him this week?

 APPLICATION

Ask yourself:

  • Where is fear keeping me from obeying Jesus?
  • Am I more concerned with people's opinions than God's calling?
  • Is there an area where I've become more of a "faker" than a faithful follower?
  • What small step of faith is Jesus asking me to take today?

This week, commit to one practical act of obedience.

Maybe it's:

  • Inviting someone to church.
  • Going public with your faith through baptism.
  • Joining a serving team.
  • Forgiving someone.
  • Starting a daily time with God.
  • Sharing your testimony.
  • Having a difficult but loving conversation.
  • Saying yes to something God has been prompting you to do.

Remember: Small steps of faith build courageous followers of Jesus.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me even when fear keeps me from trusting You fully. Thank You that my failures do not disqualify me from Your grace. Just as You restored Peter, restore my heart whenever I fall short.

Help me choose faith over fear each day. Give me the courage to obey You in the small things so that I will be ready when You call me into greater things. Teach me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus instead of the storms around me.

May my life be marked not by pretending to follow You, but by genuine transformation through Your Spirit. Let others recognize that I have been with Jesus because of the way I live, love, and serve.

Today I choose faith. Tomorrow I will choose it again.

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