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 January 25th
Filled With The Holy Spirit

OVERVIEW

The spirit of life... the essence of truth... the voice of God. He has always been here, and will always remain. And when you are alone, lost, and afraid, Holy Spirit is our leader, our comforter, our strength, our counsellor, our guide, our teacher, and so much more.

This week Pastor Chris' wrapped up the 4 part series "I Know a Ghost" and taught on being "Filled With The Holy Ghost." Being filled is not a once-and-done event. It is a continual "being filled" by the Spirit. We walk by the Spirit as the Apostle Paul admonished believers. The best evidence of a Spirit filled believer is the fruit of the Spirit. That is the best evidence of the Spirit-filled life, a believer who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit ...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. To a point that when an unbeliever interacts with you, they might be able to say, "wow, that’s what it must feel like to spend a moment with Jesus!" …"That person was so much like Christ!” …That is the best evidence of the Spirit-filled life, because YOU ARE SO FILLED with the Spirit that you live as a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit. Others need to be able to look on and say; “Wow! I want what you have!” What they are seeing is the evidence of a Spirit filled life.

KEY POINTS

  • About speaking in tongues:
    • When someone addresses the church in tongues publicly, their needs to be an interpretation.
    • Speaking in tongues strengthens the person speaking, not the church.
    • You do not have to speak in tongues to be saved or to be filled with the Spirit.
    • Everybody can speak in tongues, not everyone will speak in tongues.
  • Be Filled with the Spirit
    • The fruit of the Spirit is the best evidence of a Spirit filled life
    • Being filled is ongoing, not a one-time-even
    • A Spirit filled believer is meant to be the evidence of the Spirit's work and existence in the earth today.
    • Be drunk with the Spirit. Our lives should be colored by the Spirit, not anything else.

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.

  • Acts 2:1-4 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 
  • Galatians 5:25 NLT Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 

Additional Scriptures

  • Romans 6:23
  • 1 Corinthians 14: 4-5, 18, 23, 27-28.
  • Galatians 5:16-17 
  • Galatians 5:22-26
  • Ephesians 5:15-18.

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. In Acts 2:1-4, this passage describes the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and filled the early church giving them the ability to speak in tongues. Share your personal reactions to the gift of tongues. How did the message influence your beliefs?

Q2. Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 14: 4-5, 18, 23, 27-28 that the purpose of speaking in tongues, which is designed to strengthen the person speaking and not the church. Why do you think speaking in tongues is such a controversial topic among believers?

Q3. Galatians 5:16-17 and Ephesians 5:15-18 tell us that we should not give into our sinful desires, but rather we should be filled with the Holy Spirit. How did the picture of getting drunk help expand your understanding of what a Spirit-filled life is like? Describe a time when you experienced being filled by the Holy Spirit. How did the experience affect your relationship with Christ? If you haven’t had that experience yet, what do you think it would be like?

Q4. The passage in Galatians 5:22-26 instructs us to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
How does living a Spirit-filed life currently look in your own life? What steps can you take now to begin or continue to process of living a more Spirit-filed life?

Personal Reflection Question:

  • As you take your next steps towards a Spirit-filed life, what questions do you still have that you will seek out an answer to?

APPLICATION

  • This week take time to focus on developing a more Spirit-filled life by praying and seeking a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Also, spend some time with someone who you feel is living a Spirit-filled life and learn from their insight and experience on how to fully experience the Holy Spirit.
  • Use these prayer tips this week to guide your time alone with God each day. Praying with a friend or a small group might help you stick to it.
    • Pray and ask God to show you some specific ways that you can begin living a more Spirit-filled life.
    • Have an honest conversation with God seeking answers to the questions you have about how to live a Spirit-filled life.
    • Ask God to show those areas of your life that are keeping you from having a Spirit-filled life. Commit to working on those areas.
    • Thank God for sending the Holy Spirit and for all He has done in your life and will continue to do.
    • Pray for those you know and love that they will begin to experience a more Spirit-filled life.
  • Consider how you could love others by serving on a team this Sunday at BeLoved.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for your Spirit, 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