Dear Brothers/brethren of 
Please I urge you to take your time and read through this article/post, I assure you would be blessed as you do so.
In this article/post, i would want to take the time and explain what the S.O.A.P. method is and WHY you should use it during your quiet time.
SOAP Method Explained?
S.O.A.P. is a method of Bible reading and journaling. It can be used with any daily Bible reading plan. It’s one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it, suddenly words start popping off the page.
By SOAPing your verses you are able to dig deeper into scripture and “see” more than if you simply read the verses and then went on your merry way.
Let me encourage you to take the time to S.O.A.P. the daily verses and see for yourself how much more you get out of your daily reading……you’ll be amazed.
What S.O.A.P. means and How To Use It?
Bible studying can be confusing. You can do it many ways. There is a method devised in such a way you can get a better understanding of the Scriptures. It is divided into four parts: S -- Scripture. O -- Observation. A -- Application. P -- Prayer, its explained in details below:
S– The S stands for Scripture- you physically write out the scripture……you’ll be amazed that what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!
O– The O stands for observation- what do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?
A– The A stands for Application- this is when God’s Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take?
P– And finally P stands for Prayer. Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.
Studying God’s Word like this can take as little or as long as you have time to give. Some days it can take just 10 or 15 minutes, other days longer.
How do I S.O.A.P. Effectively as a Christian?
Here is a personal example…. Lets examine the bible text below and i would use it to personally explain how you could use this method effectively.
Colossians 1:5-8
S– The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
O– (Many times I just bullet my observations……what I’m seeing at first glance when looking at the verses)
- When you combine faith and love, you get hope.
- We have to remember that our hope is in heaven…….it is yet to come.
- The gospel is the word of truth.
- The gospel is continually bearing fruit and growing from the 1st day to the last.
- It just takes one person to change a whole community…..Epaphras.
A-Something that stood out to me today was how God used one man, Epaphras to change a whole town!!! I was reminded that we are simply called to tell others about Christ……it’s God’s job to spread the gospel….to grow it and have it bear fruit. I felt today’s verses were almost directly spoken to LGG…..“all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” Isn’t it fun when God’s Word becomes so alive and speaks directly were we are at?!!!! My prayer today is that all the women involved in this Bible study will understand God’s grace and have a thirst for His Word.
P– Dear Lord, please help me to be a “Epapras”…..to tell others about you and then leave the results in your loving hands. Please help me to understand and apply what I have read today to my life personally, thereby becoming more and more like you each and every day. Help me to live a life that bears the “fruit” of faith and love……anchoring my hope in heaven, not here on earth. Help me to remember that the BEST is yet to come!
LET ME GIVE YOU A QUICK RECAP OF WHAT I HAVE DISCUSSED ABOVE
S.O.A.P Method
Step 1: Scripture
(a) Start by reading the Bible thoroughly, you can read wherever you want, but you can also read according to a specific schedule.
(b) Quote scriptures and refer to them in a special notebook/journal for your Bible studies. If you don't know how, here are some examples: Gospel according to John, chapter 3, verses 4 through 6 : Jn 3:4-6; Exodus, chapter 14, verse 16 : Ex 14:16; Psalms, chapter 46 : Ps:46
Step 2: Observation
(a) Reflect on what you read, scanning over it is not sufficient.
(b) Immerse yourself in the word of God, to understand what was written.
(c) Put into words your reflections and understandings in your notebook. Explain the scriptures as much as you can understand them.
Step 3: Application
(a) Think of how you can apply the message of God in your life.
(b) Write down your objectives and results in your notebook so you can remember them later.
(c) Believe and say so, then trust God to do what He has promised.
(d) Take a stand on the good plans (never bad) and on great promises of God for you.
Step 4: Prayer
(a) Create a prayer following what you learned. This could be asking for the gifts/blessings of God that you have read.
(b) Ask God and Jesus to help you follow their message; so you can seek and live a better life following their lead.
(c) Expect an answer to your requests to God. God may answer: "Yes.", "No." or "Wait." We can keep seeking and asking sincerely, knowing that we do not receive when we do not ask. So, we ask in order to receive, knowing an answer will come.
The most important ingredients in the S.O.A.P. method is YOUR interaction with God’s Word and your APPLICATION of His Word for YOUR life.
I hope this explanation helps you today as you learn to dig deeper into God’s Word.
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!