S.O.A.P.

When taking a deeper look into a passage we will be using the SOAP Bible study method. This method is not only easy to learn and use, it is also effective in gaining a deeper understanding of the passage you are studying.

What makes this method so effective? SOAP intentionally breaks down the larger passage, that is the whole book you are studying, into more manageable chunks. My recommendation is read through the whole book at least once and then the particular chapter once or twice more to determine some context of the book. This will give your study some direction and help you not stray away from the intended purpose of the passage you are studying.

This approach is also good at getting you to slow down and interact with the text of the Bible. By taking these smaller chunks more seriously, you begin to understand that even the small passages have a big impact on the overall story of the Bible. This is done by taking the text you are studying and breaking it down into more manageable steps.

S - Scripture

Read and write out the Scripture. You are looking to only study a few verses at a time, I recommend studying no more than five verses at a time.

Something I have started doing recently is meditating on Scripture. This sounds weird at first but this isn't like a monk going "ohhhhhhhmmmm". This is being in continuous prayer over Scripture and being open to listening to what God is telling you about this passage.

Spend some time in silent prayer and repeat the passage to yourself a few times. This will also help open and align your heart to be ready to receive God's Word.

O - Observation

This is where you start to notice things about a passage you may not have noticed before. Just remember, just because you heard or read a passage before doesn't mean you can't learn something new about it today (or next week, or year, or whenever you are reading this). This section will grow as you do, but here are a few ways to get started.

Are there any repeating words?
What stands out to you?
What words do you not know?
Who is speaking in this passage?
Who is being addressed?
Does this passage teach you about God?
Does it teach you about your identity in Christ?
Are there any truths or warnings mentioned?

The list can go on and on and on and on and.... you get it. Not all of these questions will be used but you'll start noticing which ones are good to ask yourself based on the passage you are studying. This is where the majority of you study is done. Answer as many questions as you find, and if you are having trouble, focus on anything that repeats, words you may not know or understand, and anything that teaches you about God. As you get used to studying your Bible you will get more comfortable finding and answering more observation questions.

If you get to the point where you need further assistance in your study, then I would suggest using a resource such as https://www.gotquestions.org/ to help you get a better understanding of what you studying. You can ask just about anything and get several well thought out answers.

A - Application

Here's where your study gets personal (hopefully in a good way).

As you go through and study the passage, is there a truth you discovered that should have a lasting effect on your life? Something you need to change or stop doing?

Is the Holy Spirit working in you or guiding you to an understanding of the passage you didn't have before (we call this illumination)?

How has this passage impacted your life during your study?

When you get more versed in studying the verses, you will be able to derive an application from the passage's context (what it meant then to the original audience) to what it means for you today. Take some caution in this and remember, the Bible was written for us and not to us.

P - Prayer

This is your personal response to what you studied and how God has revealed and moved in you. This can be anything from praying the Scripture you read and studied, to thanking God for His truths and faithfulness in your life, to confessing any sins that were revealed, to an action plan of putting your studies into practice.

Example

(S)cripture

18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”

20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.” 21 And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was.

Exodus 19:18-21 (CSB)

(O)bservation

God's descent was powerful and full of awe (this is how we actually got word awful from but it has since changed usage)

The people recognized God's power and wouldn't speak to Him directly or casually approach Him

They used Moses as a mediator, do I need a mediator today to approach God?

There was a clear boundary between where God descended on the mountain and where the people were located, only Moses approached where God was

What does is mean to fear God? (this is something to study further; always record the questions you find when studying or whatever challenges you)

(A)pplication

Because of who God is-powerful, awesome, holy, righteous, good, etc-we are to approach Him with reverence, obedience, and respect (which is what it means to fear Him, which is not be be afraid but to understand just how great He is and treat Him as such)

Moses was the mediator for the Israelites, for me today, Jesus is my mediator. It is because of Jesus that I can have a personal relationship with God.

Do I fear God (approach Him with reverence, obedience, and respect) or do I treat Him casually in my life?

Do I disregard any boundaries that God has placed in my life?

(P)rayer

God, I praise and thank You for providing Jesus as the mediator so I can be closer to you. I pray that You help me stay in reverence and obedience to You. Help me recognize the boundaries in my life You have placed so that I will not drift away from you but to come closer.
Amen.