How to do the SOAP Bible study method

Do you want to be more intentional with your Bible study and dig deeper into God’s Word? Try the SOAP Bible study method. 

My Bible reading wasn’t so great. I had difficulty understanding it and struggled to read the Bible consistently. My one-year reading plans usually ended somewhere between Numbers and Deuteronomy. I fell into a habit of reading a short devotional each day and convinced myself that this was enough to keep me rooted in the Word. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t. I was missing out on so much of God’s revelation and guidance for my life by not being intentional with reading the Bible. I desperately wanted God to speak to me, but I neglected one of the main ways he speaks. 

One day, a friend asked if I wanted to join her online women’s Bible study group, and I thought, why not? It would be nice to study with a group of like-minded women, and having some accountability would keep me consistent. 

We used the Love God Greatly Bible studies, and I was introduced to the SOAP method of Bible study for the first time. It was exactly what I needed! The SOAP method helped me dig deeper into God’s Word and changed how I studied the Bible. 

What is the SOAP method of Bible study?

SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It involves journaling the Bible. The SOAP method goes beyond just reading scripture. You spend time writing out the verses and noting your thoughts and observations about them. Writing the scriptures slows you down, so you can reflect on what you’ve read and gain a deeper understanding. 

The SOAP method is a simple and straightforward way of studying the Bible. It can take less than 15 minutes or an hour, depending on how deeply you decide to dig into the scriptures. 

How do you SOAP?

Grab yourself a notebook, a Bible, and some pens and highlighters. I like to use the Give Me Jesus Journal because its layout is designed for SOAPing. But any notebook will do. 

Next, select the scriptures you’ll read. This can be a few verses or a whole chapter, but you will only focus on one or two verses when you SOAP. I like to choose the verses that stand out to me or that I feel God is leading me to as I read.

If you’re following a SOAP reading plan, like Love God Greatly, it will indicate which scriptures to read and which verses to SOAP. However, this method can be used with any reading plan. The main thing is that you chose a scripture to focus on when you SOAP. 

SCRIPTURE

Spend time reading the scriptures, then write out the verses you will SOAP. I’ll sometimes read several translations to get a clearer understanding of the scripture, then choose the version that resonates with me to write out. 

Go Deeper

Underline or highlight some specific words to reveal extra details and meaning. 

  • Verbs describing an action: am, is, can, had, are, was, were, be, being, bring, been, do, should, would, may, etc. 
  • Transition words that point to a further explanation or meaning: therefore, likewise, so, but, and, also, yet, thus, or, then, etc. 
  • Any words or phrases that are repeated to emphasize a point. 

OBSERVATION

Reread the scriptures and write down your thoughts and observations about them. This can be a simple bullet list. Or you can write a summary of what the scriptures say in your own words. You can also read a commentary to get more insights. 

Go Deeper

Here are some points to consider as you’re writing your observations:

  • Identify the context of the scripture. What is the theme of the book, and who was the author and intended audience? 
  • Why was it written?
  • What action is being accomplished or implied and how is it accomplished?
  • Are any literary devices used: Similes, metaphors, symbolism, hyperbole, irony, oxymorons?
  • Look up the meaning of any words you don’t understand. 

APPLICATION

Take action on what you’ve read to create change and transformation in your life. Look over what you’ve written and ask yourself how you can apply God’s Word to your life. What needs to change, and what steps can you take? Write everything down. 

Go Deeper

Understanding God’s character helps us to trust him and recognize His voice. This gives us hope and confidence as we go through our daily lives. 

  • What do these scriptures say about God’s character?

PRAYER

Write a prayer in response to what you learned. Pray over the actions you’ll take to apply God’s word to your life and about anything God has revealed to you. Pray God’s Word back to him and give him praise and thanks. 

Final thoughts

The SOAP method of Bible study helps you be more consistent and intentional in your Bible study. You will grow spiritually and gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word when you take the time to write it down, observe what it says, and apply it to your life. 

Using this method transformed my sporadic Bible reading into a cherished daily habit. By being more intentional and reflecting on the scriptures, God’s Word came alive for me. I was finally able to stick to a reading plan and have daily devotional time with the Lord. It helped me to grow spiritually and deepen my relationship with God. 

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