Have You Tried the SOAP Bible Study Method?
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It was another day meeting up with my mentor Katie. She and I were talking over lunch about spending time in the Bible, and Katie brought up the SOAP method of study. She shared that she has used this particular method of personal Bible study for years. She explained that she loved how she could apply it to any Scripture at any time. As she began to demonstrate this method to me, I loved it.
The SOAP method was a form of Bible journaling created by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro. He is the founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii. Not every pastor may be so cool as Cordeiro, who is seen in the pulpit wearing a lei on Sunday mornings. He is 71 years old and still faithfully serving the Lord there.
So, what is the SOAP method?
What Does SOAP Stand For?
SOAP is an acronym that stands for:
S: Scripture
O: Observation
A: Application
P: Prayer
When you open your Bible, it can be easy to skim over the passage, check off your daily Bible reading and move on for the day. This is not the intention of God’s Word. Take a look at some verses which illustrate this:
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
“But he answered, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
If we believe God at His Word, then we know that He has spoken to us. He is telling us that His Bible is His Word, and it still speaks today. It is useful to us, changes us, and prepares us to live our lives with His Spirit within us.
The SOAP method is one great way to help us go deeper into the Bible and reflect on how God is speaking to us personally though His Word.
How Do We Use the SOAP Method to Study Scripture?
Scripture
The first step to this method is simple: read the Scripture. We do not need to read other people’s opinions of the Scripture first; we should be confident to allow the text and the Holy Spirit to speak to us directly. You can write out any verse or verses that stand out to you.
Observation
Next, we observe what the text is saying. We might ask questions like: Who was this written to? What was its purpose? What does it reveal about Jesus? What does it reveal about humanity?
Application
Afterwards, we apply this to our own lives. We might ask, “How is God speaking to me right now with this text?” or “How can I be changed by this truth?”
Prayer
Once we have finished reflecting on our own circumstances, we can talk to God about what we have read and spend time in prayer.
Using the SOAP Method on John 3:16-17
Scripture
John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Observation
The disciple John wrote these verses. Jesus is speaking to the world. He was sharing this to bring hope to all believers that they will have eternal life when they believe in Him. In these Scriptures, Jesus is revealed as God and the Savior of the world. These verses tell us that the world is sinful, and we need a Savior so that we do not perish, but have redemption in Christ.
Application
God is reminding me that He is my Savior. Jesus is the Lord of my life and He has saved me and desires that the entire world would know that He is the Way to eternal life in heaven. I can be changed by having a fresh motivation to share the gospel with those around me. Jesus cares for all people and I should too. I can slow down and become more aware of others and their spiritual needs. I can pray with them and invite them into a relationship with Jesus too.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you so much for being my Savior. John 3:16 is so frequently quoted that I often neglect its power. Help me to see these verses through fresh eyes today and be reminded that You came for the entire world, but You also know me by name. Thank You for saving me from eternal punishment. Thank you for eternal life guaranteed by Your death and resurrection. Help me when I want to be lazy with the gospel or am so self-focused that I forget to share this good news with those around me. Give me eyes to see others with Your great love today.
Amen.
Why Use the SOAP Method?
Why should anyone use the SOAP method? This is not a one-size-fits-all method; the Bible does not tell you that you have to use this method. However, it is a wonderful resource to us in our time in Scripture. Why not use this to connect on a deeper level with our Savior and His holy Word?
What I love about the SOAP method is that it is simple enough for a new believer in Christ to apply, and deep enough for a seasoned spiritual veteran to grow. It is very practical and replicable. You can use it whether you are in the book of John or Deuteronomy. You could type it on your phone in an airport or write in a journal in your home.
Something to consider is the context and the amount of reading. For instance, this method may not work well by pulling out one random Scripture such as Deuteronomy 28:27 which says, “The LORD will smite you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors and with the scab and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed.”
If you read this verse alone, you would have no idea of the concept of this passage. It could be confusing and you might interpret the verse in the wrong way. I highly recommend reading a good chunk of Scripture – a full chapter or at least a few verses together. This will prevent any confusion or misunderstanding of its original intent.
I praise the Lord that Katie showed me this method that day at lunch together. It has been one that I have shared with college students and am so grateful that Pastor Wayne created this easily duplicated journaling process. I pray that it is a blessing to you in your time in the Word and a resource as you read the Bible and get to know the Savior deeper every day.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Gabrielle Henderson
