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 June 21st
The Father's Heart and Our Priestly Calling

OVERVIEW

On Father's Day, Pastor Chris brought a message that was centered on God's heart as our Heavenly Father and the call for all followers of Jesus to grow into Christlike character. Through faith in Jesus, believers become temples of the living God, carrying the Father's heart within them through the Holy Spirit.

While fathers are often known for providing, protecting, and preparing their families, Scripture reveals an additional responsibility: serving as spiritual leaders or priests in the home. Drawing from Job's example in Job 1:1-5, the message emphasized that all Christians are part of a "royal priesthood" and are called to help others know, love, and follow Jesus.

KEY POINTS

Four practical ways to embrace the priestly role in your household:

  • Pray Over Your Children – Regularly bring children and the next generation before God, praying for their relationship with Christ and His purposes for their lives.
  • Speak the Gospel Over Your Children – Consistently point others to Jesus, reminding them of God's forgiveness, holiness, promises, and grace.
  • Be Intentional and Consistent – Spiritual leadership is not about perfection but persistence. Faithful habits of prayer, worship, Scripture, and generosity create an environment where faith can grow.
  • Lead with Strength and Love – God calls spiritual leaders to stand firm in faith while leading with humility, compassion, and love.

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. 

Job 1:5 (ESV) "When the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all... Thus Job did continually."

Additional supporting passages:

  • 1 Peter 2:9 – "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood..."
  • Ephesians 4:6 – "One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all."
  • 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith... Let all that you do be done in love."

OBSERVATION

Fatherhood is about more than provision, protection, and preparation. Scripture reveals that God calls His people, especially parents and spiritual leaders, to serve as priests within their homes and communities. Job modeled this by consistently praying for his children, consecrating them to God, and interceding on their behalf.

The role of a priest is not reserved for clergy; all followers of Jesus are part of a royal priesthood. We are called to represent people before God through prayer and to represent God to people by pointing them toward Christ.

Job's example highlights four characteristics of spiritual leadership: Pray over those entrusted to you, speak the gospel consistently, be intentional and persistent, and lead with both strength and love.

Most importantly, Job's ministry to his family was continual. His faithfulness was not based on convenience but commitment.

Here are four discussion questions based on the observation points from the message:

Q1. Prayer as Spiritual Leadership - Job consistently prayed for and consecrated his children before God. What impact have you seen when someone intentionally prays for you, and how might you become more intentional about praying for others?

Q2. Speaking the Gospel - The message on Sunday emphasized that people need more than advice. People need gospel truth. What is the difference between offering good advice and pointing someone to Jesus, and why does that distinction matter?

Q3. Intentional and Consistent Faith - Job's spiritual leadership was described as continual rather than occasional. What spiritual habits have helped you grow in your faith, and where do you find it most challenging to remain consistent?

Q4. Leading with Strength and Love - True spiritual leadership combines conviction with compassion. How can we demonstrate both strength and love in our relationships, especially when guiding or encouraging others in their faith journey?

 APPLICATION

Whether I am a parent, grandparent, mentor, in ministry, a leader, or friend, God has placed people in my life whom I can influence spiritually.

This week I will:

  • Intentionally pray over the people God has entrusted to me.
  • Speak words of gospel truth instead of relying only on advice or encouragement.
  • Establish consistent spiritual habits that others can observe and follow.
  • Lead with humility, courage, compassion, and conviction.
  • Remember that spiritual leadership is not about perfection but persistence.

I want to cultivate the Father's heart within me so that others experience God's love, grace, and truth through my life.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the perfect Father, above all, through all, and in all who belong to You. Thank You for revealing Your heart through Jesus Christ and for dwelling within me through Your Spirit.

Help me embrace the calling to be a spiritual leader wherever You have placed me. Teach me to pray faithfully for others, to speak the gospel with courage and grace, and to remain consistent in my devotion to You.

Give me strength to lead with conviction and tenderness to lead with love. Let my life point others toward Jesus, especially those closest to me. May I faithfully represent You in my home, church, workplace, and community.

Help me remember that faithfulness is not about being perfect but about continually seeking You and trusting Your Spirit to work through me.

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