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 August 2nd
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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 exalt themselves. Followers humble themselves."

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

This past Sunday, PC walked us through week 6 of the series called "Christian or Christlike? One of the greatest obstacles to becoming like Jesus is pride. Pride often disguises itself through self-promotion, comparison, recognition, or the desire to be noticed. While our culture celebrates status and influence, Jesus presents a completely different picture of greatness, one marked by humility, sacrifice, and service.

Using Mark 10:35-45, this discussion explores James and John's request for positions of honor beside Jesus and how their ambition exposed a prideful misunderstanding of God's Kingdom. Jesus responds by teaching that true greatness is not found in power or prestige but in serving others, following His own example as the King who came "not to be served, but to serve." Followers of Jesus humble themselves instead of exalting themselves, allowing God to transform their hearts through a lifestyle of sacrificial service.

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. 

Mark 10:43–45 "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Additional Scriptures

  • Matthew 23:11-12
  • Galatians 5:13
  • 1 John 3:16
  • Philippians 2:5-8

OBSERVATION

Jesus completely redefines greatness. While the world values power, recognition, and influence, Jesus values humility and service. James and John wanted positions of honor, but Jesus revealed that His Kingdom operates differently. The path to becoming more like Christ isn't climbing higher, it's stooping lower. Pride causes us to focus on ourselves, but humility allows us to focus on serving others. Jesus didn't simply teach this principle; He demonstrated it by giving His own life for us.

The following 4 questions will help you to unpack what it means to choose to humilty.

Q1. - Where does pride most often show up in your life? Is it through recognition, comparison, control, needing to be right, or something else?

Q2. - Why do you think Jesus connects greatness with serving instead of being served? How does this challenge the way our culture defines success?

Q3. - Who has modeled humble leadership in your life? What qualities made their leadership different from someone driven by self-promotion?

Q4. - This week, who is God inviting you to serve? What practical step can you take to intentionally put someone else's needs before your own?

 APPLICATION

Pride often hides in subtle ways: wanting credit, seeking recognition, comparing ourselves to others, or making life about our own agenda. Ask God to reveal where pride has taken root in your heart. Then intentionally choose one act of hidden service this week, serve someone without expecting appreciation or acknowledgment. As you practice humility, God continues shaping your heart to become more like Jesus.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for showing me what true greatness looks like. You humbled Yourself, served others, and gave Your life for me. Reveal any pride that has taken root in my heart and help me surrender it to You. Teach me to value people over recognition, service over status, and Your Kingdom over my own ambitions. Give me eyes to see who I can serve this week and the courage to follow Your example with humility. Make me less concerned about promoting myself and more passionate about reflecting You in everything I do. In Jesus name we pray, 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