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 July 19th
Who do you Serve?

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, Christians often sacrifice others to serve themselves. Followers will sacrifice themselves to serve others.

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

The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals the difference between empty religion and genuine Christlikeness. The priest and the Levite knew God's commands, yet they sacrificed the hurting man for their own comfort, convenience, and priorities. The Samaritan, however, willingly gave his time, energy, resources, and reputation to help someone in need. His love was demonstrated through action.

Our culture often defines love by feelings, preferences, or personal satisfaction. Scripture defines love differently. Love is choosing to sacrifice yourself for the good of another. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly by laying down His life on the cross so we could have eternal life. Because He sacrificed Himself for us, He now calls us to live sacrificially for Him and for others.

The question is not whether I call myself a Christian. The question is whether my daily choices reflect the character of Christ. What I consistently choose today is shaping who I am becoming tomorrow.

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 16:24–25 (NIV) "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

Additional Scriptures

  • Luke 10:25–37
  • 1 John 3:16–18

OBSERVATION

The following 4 questions will help you to unpack what it means to choose to serve others before self.

Q1. - Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). What is one area of your life where following Jesus requires real sacrifice right now? What makes that sacrifice difficult?

Q2. - The priest and the Levite knew God's commands but failed to act, while the Samaritan demonstrated love through sacrifice. When are you most tempted to prioritize your comfort, convenience, or schedule over serving someone else? How can you become more like the Samaritan?

Q3. - The message Sunday defined biblical love as "choosing to sacrifice yourself for the good of another." How does this definition challenge the way our culture talks about love? How have you experienced someone demonstrating this kind of Christlike love toward you?

Q4. - The challenge Sunday was to ask: "What sacrifice can I make this week to serve someone else?" Who has God already placed in your life that needs His love? What specific, practical step will you take this week to serve them, and how can this group pray for you and hold you accountable?

 APPLICATION

The message from Sunday challenges us to honestly evaluate our life. Am I protecting my comfort, my schedule, my finances, my reputation, and my desires more than I am pursuing Jesus? Or am I intentionally laying those things down so others can encounter His love?

Being Christlike means my faith is visible in the way I serve, forgive, give, and make room for people. It means I stop making excuses and start making sacrifices. Rather than asking, "What's easiest for me?" I should ask, "How can I love someone the way Jesus loved me?"

This week look for opportunity to intentionally identify one person God has placed in your life and make a meaningful sacrifice to serve them. Whether it costs your time, convenience, comfort, or resources, let your love be demonstrated through action, not merely words.

Remember: What I consistently choose today is shaping who I am becoming tomorrow.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so completely that You sent Jesus to sacrifice His life for mine. Forgive me for the times I have been content with looking like a Christian while resisting the life of true discipleship. Search my heart and reveal any selfishness, comfort, or pride that keeps me from following You wholeheartedly.

Teach me to deny myself daily, take up my cross, and follow Jesus with complete devotion. Give me eyes to see people the way You see them and a heart that willingly sacrifices for their good. Help me to love not only with my words but through my actions and my obedience.

May my life point others to Jesus. Let me become more than someone who knows the truth and make me someone who lives it. May I faithfully hear Your words one day: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

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