Jesus tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God.”
Before anything else, there is a kingdom we should be pursuing. Not an earthly empire or worldly fame, but the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is where Jesus is King – where his people follow his rule and seek his will.
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. – Philippians 3:20
Weekly Rhythm
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video of characteristic shared online & questions posed for groupor personal reflection |
Work through a passage of scripture using S.O.A.P. with our staff in an online video |
Use today’s passage to work through the S.O.A.P. method on your own |
Scripture given for personal S.O.A.P. method |
Choose a Memory Verse from the week for reflection & prayer |
Choose a Memory Verse from the week for reflection & prayer |
Online discussion group |
| 9|25 Series kicks off! “Missing in your midst” |
9|26 Series kicks off! “Missing in your midst” |
9|27 Online discussion group |
||||
| 9|28 Called! focus |
9|29 1 Peter 4:7-11 |
9|30 1 Cor 1:26-31 |
10|1 2 Cor 5:16-21 |
10|2 Prayer |
10|3 Acts 5:17-42 |
10|4 Online discussion group |
| 10|5 Front Row People focus |
10|6 Romans 12:9-12 |
10|7 James 1:19-21 |
10|8 Psalm 34 |
10|9 Prayer |
10|10 1 Samuel 25 |
10|11 Online discussion group |
| 10|12 Live Generously focus |
10|13 Matthew 6:19-25 |
10|14 2 Cor 9:6-11 |
10|15 Mark 14:3-9 |
10|16 Prayer |
10|17 Mark 12:41-44 |
10|18 Online discussion group |
| 10|19 Grounded & Obedient focus |
10|20 1 Cor 2:6-12 |
10|21 2 Tim 3:10-17 |
10|22 Hebrews 4:9-13 |
10|23 Prayer |
10|24 Acts 2:14-41 |
10|25 Online discussion group |
| 10|26 Ripple > Splash |
10|27 Hebrews 10:19-25 |
10|28 Matthew 28:16-20 |
10|29 Mark 10:35-45 |
10|30 Prayer |
10|31 Galations & 2 Tim |
11|1 Online discussion group |
| 11|2 We Own Our Part |
11|3 Matthew 7:1-6 |
11|4 James 5:13-16 |
11|5 Romans 12:1-3 |
11|6 Prayer |
11|7 2 Samuel 12:1-5 |
11|8 Online discussion group |
Weekly Rhythm
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video of characteristic shared online & questions posed for group or personal reflection | Work through a passage of scripture using S.O.A.P. with our staff in an online video | Use today’s passage to work through the S.O.A.P. method on your own | Scripture given for personal S.O.A.P. method | Choose a Memory Verse from the week for reflection & prayer | Choose a Memory Verse from the week for reflection & prayer | Online discussion group |
| 9|25 Series kicks off! “Missing in your midst” |
9|26 Series kicks off! “Missing in your midst” |
9|27 Online discussion group |
||||
| 9|28 Called! focus |
9|29 1 Peter 4:7-11 |
9|30 1 Cor 1:26-31 |
10|1 2 Cor 5:16-21 |
10|2 Prayer |
10|3 Acts 5:17-42 |
10|4 Online discussion group |
| 10|5 Front Row People focus |
10|6 Romans 12:9-12 |
10|7 James 1:19-21 |
10|8 Psalm 34 |
10|9 Prayer |
10|10 1 Samuel 25 |
10|11 Online discussion group |
| 10|12 Live Generously focus |
10|13 Matthew 6:19-25 |
10|14 2 Cor 9:6-11 |
10|15 Mark 14:3-9 |
10|16 Prayer |
10|17 Mark 12:41-44 |
10|18 Online discussion group |
| 10|19 Grounded & Obedient focus |
10|20 1 Cor 2:6-12 |
10|21 2 Tim 3:10-17 |
10|22 Hebrews 4:9-13 |
10|23 Prayer |
10|24 Acts 2:14-41 |
10|25 Online discussion group |
| 10|26 Ripple > Splash |
10|27 Hebrews 10:19-25 |
10|28 Matthew 28:16-20 |
10|29 Mark 10:35-45 |
10|30 Prayer |
10|31 Galations & 2 Tim |
11|1 Online discussion group |
| 11|2 We Own Our Part |
11|3 Matthew 7:1-6 |
11|4 James 5:13-16 |
11|5 Romans 12:1-3 |
11|6 Prayer |
11|7 2 Samuel 12:1-5 |
11|8 Online discussion group |
KINGDOM CULTURE SERIES
Jesus tells us this Kingdom is “in our midst” yet it is easy to miss what you’re in the middle of if you’re not aware of what you should be looking for. It’s easy to become more discipled in the ways of the world than in the Kingdom. We’re meant to live by a different set of standards, to be formed into a different set of virtues.
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Philippians 3:20 This series will take us through 6 characteristics of a “citizen of heaven” that we are called to embody.
The series kicks off the weekend of September 25 & 26 with an online discussion on September 27 and the actually study starting on September 28. Use the available notebook as a journal and a space for notes throughout the week/weekend and follow along online each day at behope.church/kingdom-culture and social media.
Our prayer is that through this study: We will have a clearer understanding of who we’re called to become as Citizens of Heaven We will establish habits of scripture reflection, prayer, memorization, and notetaking and develop these as daily practices in our faith journey.
Welcome to KINGDOM CULTURE!
THE WHAT
Live Generously
We are already blessed by a generous God. Living generously involves every area of our lives – our time, talent, and resources. However, Jesus teaches that generosity begins with our finances, because “where your treasure is your heart will be, also.” We all start by giving a gift: make a financial donation when the time is right. We seek to become givers: giving becomes part of our identity when we make regular contributions to his church with the first 10% that God gives us. We desire to become generous: make radical financial investments to further God’s kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Matthew 6:21
Front Row People
We understand that zeal and passion are not simply a matter of personality, but they are Kingdom virtues. While it would always be easiest to become cynical and prideful, we choose to be passionate and engaged people who are eager to follow where God leads. Whether we are gathered in community or sent to be the Church, these attributes define us. We praise God for the good, welcome purposeful change, and bring others along in
this process. Even in the back of the room we serve as thermostats in the world of thermometers.
Romans 12:11; Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 34:1
Called
Our lives have purpose and meaning because of what God has done for us and is doing in the world. We are called into relationship with Christ, claiming the identity God has for us through salvation by faith and growing daily in our relationship with him. We are called into purpose, not obsessing about the part we’re called to play, but delighting in being part of the bigger thing that God is doing in the world. We are called into passion, knowing that as the spirit works in our lives, that’s where true life is found. As called people we seek to champion the calling of others, helping them find Christ and his purpose and passion for their lives, as well.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Ecclesiastes 3:11; 1 Peter 4:10
Grounded in Scripture, Obedient to the Spirit
We have the opportunity to hear from God constantly through his Word and by obeying his Spirit. We begin by reflecting on scripture daily, seeking to move through scripture systematically to the point where we will embed the Bible in every facet of our lives, allowing the word of God to guide us. We believe God’s word enables us to be more aware of and responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit. When we sense the prompting of the Spirit we will respond, because we know that understanding can wait, but obedience cannot.
2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; Joshua 1:8
Ripple > Splash
We live out our great commission to be disciple-makers in partnership with our local church, but not dependent upon it. We use our influence to lead people into the kingdom through deliberate prayer, intentional conversations, strategic invites, and helping people not just attend, but engage in the community of faith. Christ came to serve others and we step into that, as well, knowing there is no greater joy than seeing someone grow in faith. Just as we celebrate baptism, we celebrate the investments made by the person baptizing. We believe that God is working all around us, so we will not wait for an opportunity – we seek them out.
Mark 10:45; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20
We Own Our Part
We acknowledge that we are both the potential problem and the future solution. We are imperfect people seeking for God to transform us every day. We seek to grow in spiritual maturity by spending less of our efforts noticing what is wrong with the world and instead, look for the problems within our own hearts. Therefore, we are confessional people knowing that God continues
to move not when we sit and acknowledge the problems surrounding us, but when we actively seek to become more like God daily. We will not let our problems define us. We will move forward by grace.
Romans 12:2; Matthew 7:3-5
THE HOW
There are many different tools and approaches for engaging scripture. What matters most is that the tool you use leads you to reflect upon scripture, and not just read it. We don’t read the Bible to simply “get it done.” We read & reflect to come to a greater understanding of who God is, how he’s working, and where he’s leading. The S.O.A.P. Tool is designed for that purpose. S.O.A.P. is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, & Prayer.
Here’s how you navigate it:
S: Scripture
Here is your chance to write out the passage. You can write out the passage in its entirety, or you can summarize it. This helps us slow down our pace and become more aware of what we’re reading.
O: Observation
What do you see in the verses that you’re reading? What sticks out to you? What’s interesting? What’s confusing? Who is the passage speaking to? What is true? Make a list of observations you have about the text.
A: Application
This is when God’s word becomes personal. What is God saying to me? What is God revealing about himself? What should I keep doing/start doing/stop doing in light of this text?
P: Prayer
In light of what you’ve just written, what is your prayer? Write it out here back to God. What do you desire? What do you need help with? Ask God to work in you and through you with a written prayer.
This can be a helpful tool regardless of your age because the power is not in the tool but in engaging God’s word in order for God to reveal himself to us. We’ll be using the S.O.A.P. method throughout this study, but our desire is that this would become a daily practice for you to engage & reflect upon scripture.
THE HOW
There are many different tools and approaches for engaging scripture. What matters most is that the tool you use leads you to reflect upon scripture, and not just read it. We don’t read the Bible to simply “get it done.” We read & reflect to come to a greater understanding of who God is, how he’s working, and where he’s leading. The S.O.A.P. Tool is designed for that purpose. S.O.A.P. is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, & Prayer.
Here’s how you navigate it:
S: Scripture
Here is your chance to write out the passage. You can write out the passage in its entirety, or you can summarize it. This helps us slow down our pace and become more aware of what we’re reading.
O: Observation
What do you see in the verses that you’re reading? What sticks out to you? What’s interesting? What’s confusing? Who is the passage speaking to? What is true? Make a list of observations you have about the text.
A: Application
This is when God’s word becomes personal. What is God saying to me? What is God revealing about himself? What should I keep doing/start doing/stop doing in light of this text?
P: Prayer
In light of what you’ve just written, what is your prayer? Write it out here back to God. What do you desire? What do you need help with? Ask God to work in you and through you with a written prayer.
This can be a helpful tool regardless of your age because the power is not in the tool but in engaging God’s word in order for God to reveal himself to us. We’ll be using the S.O.A.P. method throughout this study, but our desire is that this would become a daily practice for you to engage & reflect upon scripture.
Content drops daily. Never miss a thing.
BE HOPE FAMILY
SERIES BEGINS SEPTEMBER 25-26!
SERIES BEGINS SEPTEMBER 25-26!
Kingdom Culture
Kingdom Culture
This notebook, essential to the Kingdom Culture Bible Study, contains an intro to the SOAP method of reading the Bible, a guide to the Discipleship Characteristics we work towards, and a Scripture reading schedule. Get yours today – $5.00 Free Shipping!
