“…breaking it down and changing not necessarily the reason I read, but the way I read has been exactly what I needed. I read because I want to follow Jesus.”
S = Scripture
The SOAP experience starts with reading God’s word. Don’t feel like you have to read through the entire Bible. Feel comfortable even in reading 1-2 verses. The point is not how much you read but what you get from the reading. Many of the Psalms are short but very powerful.
Don’t know where to start? Start with Jesus. Start with Mark if you are a worker/doer and like short, to-the-point stuff. Start with Matthew if you know your Old Testament and like Jewish prophecy. Start with Luke if you like to think and meditate on things and cheer for the underdog. Start with John if you are already familiar with the life of Jesus because 90% of John is unique compared to Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
O = Observation
The definition of “observe” is to perceive something and register it as being significant. We want to perceive scripture and register it as being significant to us. As you read the text, highlight and underline what stands out to you. What is interesting or unusual? Maybe you learned something or see something that you have never noticed before. Perhaps there is something you don’t understand and want to take a deeper look at. It could be something you need to apply to your life.
This step involves the action needed for your observation to relate to your life. God’s message is meant to be read and followed. First, reread what you highlighted or underlined and write down one or two that especially stand out to you and why. Next, go through your observations and write down some actions you can take to apply them to your life.
Here are a few ideas for application:
Maybe you found something interesting to share with your life group, group of friends, or a family member.
Do some research by reading another book about what you observed or look up the author or other events.
Maybe it’s something you need to work on so you ask someone close to you to hold you accountable.
Talk to a minister or elder.
If your observation is a characteristic of God you noticed choose a specific person or time or event where you will apply the characteristic.
Display reminders in your car, at work, on your bathroom mirror, etc.,
Set aside specific times you will pray about it.
Journal! Write down how what you observed makes a difference each day.
A = Application
P = Prayer
Now it’s time to pray that what you’ve read will become a part of your life! Prayer is an amazing gift God has given us. He wants you to pour your heart out to him and will speak to you if you will hear him. Choose one thing from your application list. Pray about it and work on that one thing today.
SOAP Example
Scripture: Read Mark 1:40-42
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Observation: Highlight and underline
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Application: Reread what was highlighted, write down the ones that especially stand out and why, list steps of action
1. Begged Jesus on his knees
Sometimes my prayer requests are pretty casual. Perhaps I don’t really believe prayer works???
Perhaps I need to take 1-2 things that are on my heart and spend some purposeful time with God in prayer.
2. Compassion and Touched
Jesus was FILLED with it. How much do I have? As a leper, he was ‘untouchable’. Jesus could have just spoken to cure him but touch him because he was filled with compassion.
I will spend today trying to be full of compassion. I will try and see people who are hurting. I will listen, help when I can, and pray for them. I will touch someone’s life through a hug, card, call, or text.
Prayer: Choose one thing to pray about and work on today.
God, you are full of compassion and touch peoples lives. I want to be like you. Today I am going to call my friend. Please help them know that they are loved by me and you. Amen
