SOAP Bible Study Method

I came across the SOAP Bible study method in a devotional I was doing via the YouVersion Bible app. It’s a really simple, effective way to engage with the scriptures beyond passively reading and make it more personal. The acronym SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. 

SOAP Method of Bible Study

The four steps of the SOAP method of Bible study are fairly intuitive. 

Scripture: Select a passage of scripture you wish to study. Read it carefully, while engaging your heart and mind. I find it helpful to also read the preceding and following passages so that I can understand the context better.  

Observation: As you are reading, take notes. What stands out? Consider the characters, setting, and themes. Are there any emotions you experience in reading this passage? What piques your curiosity about it? Is there anything you don’t understand? 

Now, I don’t try to create a comprehensive breakdown of every element I can draw out of the passage, but simply capture whatever things I find noteworthy. This is a good place to select verses that are compelling for memorization, too. 

Application: Reflecting on what you’ve observed, how does it apply to your daily walk with Christ? This should be a pretty intuitive conclusion. If the passage is abstract, what does it teach you about God or your relationship to Him? If it is a more direct teaching, assess your track record with it.

Write down your thoughts. It might be helpful to keep a journal that consolidates your daily applications. You don’t have to be eloquent; just be authentic.

Prayer: Conclude the time you spend in study with prayer focused on the passage. Thank God for what He’s shown you, ask Him for the wisdom to know your next step and the strength to follow through. Prayer is a critical piece of Bible study that is often overlooked.

Here is an example of what this might look like in practice

SOAP Bible Study

This strategy for studying scripture is often attributed to Pastor Wayne Cordeiro. He popularized the SOAP Bible study in his book The Divine Mentor. Cordeiro developed the method to help his congregation engage with the Bible more deeply.

The Bible isn’t a dusty tome of ancient stories and archaic wisdom. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

SOAP is a simple, effective framework that helps people read and understand how the Bible applies to them where they are. When we are able to see how the Bible is relevant to us, it makes it much more interesting to read.

What about Simply Reading the Bible?

A SOAP method bible study or devotional will take more time than simply reading the Bible. But, I can attest that with the investment of time, and the application of a structured approach like SOAP, I find better insights and a richer understanding of the text. In fact, more than one of my blog posts stem from exactly this kind of examination of the text.

Not everyone will appreciate or enjoy this kind of structure, though. God gave each of us an individual mind, and if yours flourishes with a more flexible approach, there’s nothing wrong with that. I would recommend you give it a try, though.

Regardless of the approach you take to reading the Bible, I hope that God blesses and encourages you through the reading of His word. If you are interested in a SOAP study, New Life Fellowship publishes a monthly PDF that is excellent.

Scriptures for Today

Today, in preparing for this post, I’ve been dwelling on these scriptures.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16