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 22nd
Living an Ordered Life

OVERVIEW

Freedom looks good on you!!! 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. This week, we are looking at the Tree of Life and its ability to set us free from incorrect thoughts about God and ourselves.

KEY POINTS

  • God calls us to live in spiritual order.
  • The role of the Holy Spirit from the beginning of time has been to order chaos.
  • Spiritual order helps us to live with our spirit united with God, and our soul and body living in submission to our spirit.
  • Understanding the principles of spiritual order helps us to; conquer sin in our lives, walk in holiness, and to live in spiritual freedom.
  • God’s plan is for our spirits to become the strongest part of our tri-dimensional design, to be like the “Command Centre” of who we are.
  • As believers, we can walk by the spirit, be anointed, and live empowered by the Holy Spirit. God himself completes this work of sanctification in us.
  • To "sanctify" means to be “set apart," holy, to make something different and distinct. Freedom is to break free from old associations and to form a new association with Jesus and His body.

Understanding Spiritual Order

  • We each have a spirit that must be redeemed - Spirit (Colossians 2:13–14)
  • We have a soul that must be restored - Soul (Genesis 2:7)
    • The mind, which thinks and reasons
    • The will, which makes choices
    • The emotions, which believe, feel, and remember
  • We have a body that must surrender - Body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)  
  • We can live purposefully in Gods design - Ordered Living

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 10:10 “I have come that you may have life and life to the fullest.”
  • Romans 7:21-23  So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22  For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Additional Scriptures

  • Romans 3:23-24  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
  • Romans 5:1-2  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
  • 2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:16-18  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
  • 2 Peter 1:3  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
  • Galatians 5:16-18  As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self - life. 17  For your self - life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit and hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your old self - life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self - life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit. 18 But when you are brought into the full freedom of the Spirit of grace, you will no longer be living under the domination of the law, but soaring above it! 
  • Galatians 5:19-21. The cravings of the self-life are obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, 20  chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, 21  being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior. Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!  
  • Galatians 6:7-8  Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. 8  The harvest you reap reveals the seed that was planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self - life into this natural realm, you can expect to experience a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap the beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit.
  • Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.  
  • 2 Peter 1:3-10  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

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. Living in spiritual order brings incredible benefits such as; protection, spiritual growth, and power to overcome sin, shame, and obstacles in our lives. The opposite - living out of spiritual order - living outside of our design, is dangerous. When we allow our soul or body to lead, it opens a door for the enemy to operate in our lives. How do you think that you are protected from the enemy when you choose to do things God’s way and give control of our lives over to Him?  In what ways do you self-sabotaged and distanced yourself from God by giving in to temptation? Remember! Shame, condemnation, and a victim mentality are each fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil thinking.

Q2. We each have a spirit that needs redeeming. How does knowing that my spirit is redeemed and in right standing with the Father change the way I see myself? 

Q3. Carnal human desires cause us to need satisfaction, and though we may satisfy them in the moment, the craving soon returns and brings with it increased intensity. This cycle will repeat itself time and again until *we break* it off by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can live fulfilled lives in Christ. We can live in His purposes and design. Ask yourself: Are my actions driven by my cravings? 

Q4.  How do we stay in order as we face decisions every single day? How are the choices you make dictate the life you lead? How can we change the way we think and make good decisions? 

Personal Reflection Question:

  • Am I feeding my body, soul, or spirit most? What steps can I take to reorder my appetite?

APPLICATION

  • These are choices we must intentionally make in order to continue living in the Tree of Life.
    -We can choose to renew our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs in God’s Word
    -We can choose to put on holiness and righteousness (put on Christ). 
    -When we do, we will begin to experience true Tree of Life living!

    Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

  • 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.

JOIN THE TEAM WHAT'S NEXT?
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