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 Nov 1 2026
Beautiful People of the Kingdom of Heaven No.7

OVERVIEW

Beautiful People – Episode 7: Is it Okay to Judge?

This past Sunday we explored Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1–12, challenging us to reconsider how we see, judge, and treat others.

Jesus isn't telling us to abandon discernment or ignore what is right and wrong. Instead, He warns against a judgmental spirit that condemns, devalues, or looks down on others. As followers of Jesus, we are called to examine our own hearts before pointing out the faults of others, choosing compassion over condemnation and love over criticism.

This Sunday's message highlighted three characteristics of what it means to be Beautiful People of the Kingdom of Heaven:

  1. Look in the mirror before pointing a finger.
  2. Lead with compassion, not condemnation.
  3. Love others the way we would want to be loved.

Ultimately, Jesus calls us to become people who are led by Jesus, shaped by grace, and moved by love—recognizing that everyone is created in God's image and worthy of dignity, compassion, and love.

KEY POINTS

Beautiful People don't look down on others because of what they've done wrong. They look inward with humility, outward with compassion, and upward to Jesus as their example of 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.

  • Matthew 7:1–5, 12 (NIV)

OBSERVATION

Jesus teaches that there is a significant difference between discernment and condemnation. Discernment recognizes the difference between right and wrong, while condemnation looks down on others and treats them as less valuable.

Jesus uses the illustration of the speck and the plank to remind us that we often become so focused on someone else's shortcomings that we overlook our own. Before correcting others, we must first allow God to examine and transform our hearts.

Rather than developing a culture of criticism, condemnation, and cancellation, Jesus invites His followers to cultivate a culture of confession, grace, accountability, and healing.

He also teaches us to approach others with humility and curiosity rather than manipulation or control. The Golden Rule reminds us that genuine love actively seeks the good of others.

The goal isn't to avoid truth or accountability. It's to bring truth and accountability through love, mercy, kindness, and compassion.

As this Sunday's message reminded us, “Only love gets close enough to know.”

Here are four discussion questions drawn directly from the message that encourage both biblical reflection and personal application: 

  1. Jesus tells us to remove the plank from our own eye before addressing the speck in someone else's. Why is it often easier to recognize the faults of others than to acknowledge our own? What might God be inviting you to examine in your own life?

  2. This Sunday challenged us to develop a “confession culture” rather than a “cancel culture.” What would it look like to create relationships and church communities where people feel safe enough to be honest about their struggles and experience grace, accountability, and healing?

  3. Jesus calls us to lead with compassion rather than condemnation. Think of someone whose beliefs, lifestyle, or choices are different from yours. How might your relationship with that person change if you approached them with curiosity, humility, and compassion instead of criticism?

  4. PC describes three stages of spiritual maturity: “What do I want?” → “What would I want if I were you?” → “What would Jesus do?” Which of these questions most often guides your decisions and relationships? What practical step could help you become more like Jesus in the way you love others?

APPLICATION

Jesus challenges me to examine how I see and respond to people, especially those whose choices, beliefs, or behaviours differ from my own. Instead of immediately criticizing someone, I can pause and ask: “Am I looking at this person through the eyes of Jesus, or through my own frustration, assumptions, and judgment?”

Before pointing out someone else's shortcomings, I can invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas of my own life that need repentance, healing, and transformation.

I can also choose to approach difficult relationships with humility and compassion. Rather than trying to win arguments, force change, or prove that I'm right, I can seek to understand others, recognize their dignity, and demonstrate the love of Jesus.

This week, I can practice three intentional responses:

  • Look inward first: Ask God to reveal my own blind spots before criticizing others.
  • Choose compassion: Respond to difficult people with empathy, curiosity, and grace.
  • Love intentionally: Treat others the way I would want to be treated, especially when we disagree.

My challenge: Am I becoming someone who simply points out what is wrong with the world, or someone who brings the hope, healing, and love of Jesus into it?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me with patience, mercy, and grace, even when I fall short.

Forgive me for the times I have been quick to judge, criticize, or condemn others while overlooking the areas of my own life that need transformation. Holy Spirit, search my heart. Reveal my blind spots, challenge my assumptions, and help me become more like Jesus. Teach me to lead with compassion instead of condemnation. Help me see every person as someone created in Your image, worthy of dignity, respect, and love. Give me the humility to listen before speaking, the courage to acknowledge my own shortcomings, and the wisdom to bring truth and accountability with grace and kindness. Help me love others the way I would want to be loved, especially when we disagree or when relationships become difficult.

Holy Spirit make me a Beautiful Person of Your Kingdom, someone who looks in the mirror before pointing a finger, leads with compassion, and loves others as Jesus has loved me. May my life bring hope instead of hurt, healing instead of division, and grace instead of condemnation. Let me be led by Jesus, shaped by grace, and moved by love.

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.
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  • 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