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 February 8th
Pursuit of Knowledge

OVERVIEW

Freedom looks good on you!!! We are in week 2 of the Freedom Series and as a church we have embarked on a journey that is designed to help believers move from the experience of salvation to the abundant life that Jesus desires for them.  

KEY POINTS

  • Week 1
    • The 2nd story in the book of beginnings, Genesis. There is a story about 2 trees, the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. It’s so important for this to be the 2nd story on the heels of creation because everything in our lives is filtered through the idea of these two trees. God gave Adam and Eve the choice between these two trees. Today we still choose to filter our lives through one tree or the other. We either do more to get to God or, we can receive the fact that God chose us and already loves us.
    • Four ways to live in the Tree of Life - Fall in love with Jesus; serve God through relationship not rules; respond to all sin with life; guard your heart from going back.
  • Week 2
    • The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil thinking, paradigm, and perspective, causes us to obey out of duty rather than obeying out of delight as we do in the Tree of Life thinking.
    • Humanity has a choice every day to choose between The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Sometimes we make choices that cause us to want to hide from God, to cover our sins ourselves, leading to us experiencing victimization and becoming overwhelmed by shame.
    • Through deception and rebellion, the serpent robbed humanity of the authority and dominion that God had given to mankind. Humans give Satan authority in our lives when we choose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
    • Shame is deadly because it strips us of the power to change. It keeps us from receiving the provision God made for our sin through the blood of Jesus. 
    • 4 things about the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: The fruit is knowledge; the fruit is deadly; the fruit is consumable; the fruit causes separation.

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 Sunday. 

  • John 8:32 "If you abide in my word”, You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”
  • John 10:10 “I have come that you may have life and life to the fullest.”
  • Galatians 5:1 :"It is for freedom that Christ set us free. So stand fast and don’t get entangled in bondage again."

Additional Scriptures

  • Genesis 2:8–9, 16–17
  • Genesis 3:1-7 
  • John 5:39–40 
  • Romans 5:8 
  • 1 John 5:3,12 
  • Luke 10:19
  • Colossians 1:20
  • John 14:6
  • James 4:7-8

OBSERVATION

Talking through the message during the week helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. These talking points, questions, and scriptures are designed to help you take the next step.

Q1. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil says; “you must do more to get to God.” Do you find yourself “doing more” to get to God and to earn His approval? If so, how?

Q2. What are some of the dangers of living in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Q3. The Tree of Life says; “receive the fact that Jesus already loves you.” How is the love of God the greatest authority in your life? How have you begun to undertand God's love toward you? How has thie changed your view of God?

 Q4. Have you used your knowledge of God as your basis of relationship with Him? What are some practical ways you can start seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you?

Personal Reflection Question:

  • What are some practical ways you can choose life in your relationship with God and with other people?

APPLICATION

  • This week take time each day to focus on developing your relationship with Jesus. Prayer, Bible reading, meditation, small group discipleship, and singing songs of worship, are all ways to spend time with Jesus. It might also help to get together with someone who you feel is living a Spirit-filled life and learn from their insight and experience on how to more fully live in the freedom that Christ has so freely given.
  • Consider how you could love others by serving on a team this Sunday at BeLoved.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for the freedom to live by your Spirit, so freely given, that we may freely receive, empowering us to live, give, serve like you. Help us to grow in our awareness of your presence and power at work in our lives. Help us to slow our minds and lives so that we may hear your small still voice. Help us to have your Holy confidence to share the good news of Jesus. Holy Spirit come, work in us and through us, that you God may be gloroified in the earth today. In Jesus name, Amen.

WATCH THE MESSAGE LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE
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