I think this is a great way to to study the bible "where you are". You don't need a book telling you what to read and what other people have felt. The SOAP method helps you to understand what the spirit wants you to get from what your reading. I am going to start doing this and think it's great for people who always read the bible or people who have never read the bible. Try it and let me know if you like it!
‘S’ for Scripture
‘S’ for Scripture
Open your Bible to today’s scheduled reading. Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal His truth to you through your Bible today. Take time reading the whole text and allow God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your Bible next to the scriptures that stand out. When you are done, reread the verses you marked, then look for one verse/section in your reading that particularly speaks to you today. This is God’s voice, write that verse number out in your ‘Life Journal’ and begin to explore what the Lord has to say you.
‘O’ for Observation
Now think more deeply about this key verse that the Holy Spirit has drawn your attention to, writing down your observations.
What insights is God giving you in this scripture?
What lessons do you see? What does this verse say about life, faith, God, people, yourself, character, truth, sin, possessions, our culture, etc.?
Can any of these lessons be stated as eternal principles to live by?
Now paraphrase and re-write this ‘key verse(s)’ using your own words.
‘A’ for Application
Application is the time to discover, ‘What does God want me to do in response to His Word today?’. Here’s how you get there. Personalize what you have read, your observations, and the voice of the Holy Spirit, by asking yourself the following questions. As the answers become clear, write in specific & practical terms how this verse applies to your life right now.
How does this apply to my life right now?
How does this apply to my relationship with God?
How does this apply to my relationship with myself? With other people?
How does this apply to me at work, home, school, church?
Is there an instruction, encouragement or promise God wants me to take to heart?
Is there a behavior or character correction that God is talking to me about? What specifically should I do about that?
‘P’ for Prayer
When you are all finished, write out a prayer to the Lord responding to how he has spoken to you through His Word. Whatever is in your heart and mind right now, speak it back to your Father in heaven. Don’t get caught up in your grammar and sentence structure, just write down whatever is moving and stirring in your soul.
From: A Pattern for Reflecting and Recording God’s Word, God’s Voice to You
And Rock Point Church-Calgary, AB
