S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method

Today I want to go over the S.O.A.P. Bible Study method.  If you google this, you will find many resources on this quick method for studying Gods word.  I like to implement this method when studying short passages of scripture.  So, this is what SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.  Let’s look at each part in more detail.

Scripture

Start with scripture you want to study and read it several times. It is often helpful to read it in different versions of the Bible.  Here is a great online resource for that.  Now, write the passage out longhand.  This is a great way to help you slow down and focus on what the verse is saying.  After you have written it out as written, re-write it in your own words, paraphrase it.  It can also be fun to use a scripture writing journal for this and incorporate your artistic skills if you want to.

Observation

Now let’s dig a little deeper in our Bible to find answers to questions such as:  Who is saying this?  Who is the audience?  Read the verses before and after your verse to make sure you understand the context. Does anything stand out to you? Are you noticing anything you have not noticed before?  Pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

Application

This is where it needs to become personal.  What stood out to you in the verse that may require you to take an action step.  Be intentional in finding one thing you can do or change in your personal life regarding what you have learned. If it’s an action, try to make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. If it is an attitude, spend some time journaling or visualizing how you are going to be mindful about making a change.  If it is a sin you need to confess, take it to prayer right away.

Prayer

It is in prayer that we can ask God for His wisdom and understand in cementing His Word to our hearts. We can even pray God’s word back to Him; God loves it when we do this!  Pray about any revelations you have found or any areas of surrender you need to make.  Once again, this would be a great thing to journal out next to the verse you wrote out in step one.

Let’s try one together!

Scripture:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort.  He comforts us whenever we suffer.  That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (GWT)

Observations:

This is a letter from Paul and Timothy, written to God’s Church.  As I read further down into the scripture, Paul and Timothy mention that they have confidence in God’s church and that they know that they also suffer in their walk, but that because Paul and Timothy have found comfort in God, so will others share in their comfort.  I feel like the Holy Spirit is reminding me that it is in my suffering that I will be able to help others by encouraging them to wait for the comfort that we are assured of, because of our faith.  It is a pay it forward system.

Application:

I am going to send out a card with an encouraging message to a family member who is struggling with an issue.  I also am going to confess, in prayer, that I have been lazy in taking care of my family members.  I will work on being more generous with my time and energy to encourage others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your reminder of the many times I have been extended comfort in my time of needs.  I also thank you for the times of struggles in my life, that I have come through them stronger than before.  I confess that I tend to be lazy and don’t always make time for others who are in similar struggles.  Help me to be better about paying forward the comfort that you have so generously bestowed upon me.  In your precious name, I pray, Amen.

Are you ready to try one yourself?  I have provided a link to a free downloadable SOAP journal page.  I encourage you to use this method to dig into scripture and learn more about God’s Word!

You can download a SOAP journal page HERE.