Master the SOAP Bible Study Method – A Step-by-Step Guide to Deepen Your Bible Study

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Have you tried MANY different methods of Bible study over the years only to find they didn’t work well for you? There seems to be one for every level of experience, and that is always a great thing! But the SOAP Bible Study Method is one of my favorites because of its simplicity while, at the same time, allowing one to take Bible study as far as they want to go with it.

It allows you to draw from scripture what the Lord wants to show you personally, and not just what someone else experienced. You are not limited in this method and can continue to use it as you grow in your walk and in as you grow in your study of the Word.

So let’s explore and see the SOAP Bible Study Method explained together!

Read on to learn more AND get your FREE SOAP Method workbook to help you along the way!

What is the SOAP Method of Bible Study?

There are many study methods out there that you can use to learn the Word, including Verse Mapping, APPLE, Inductive studies, Expositional studies, and many, many more.

In fact, I cover many of them in my post on Bible Study Methods!

So why the SOAP Bible Study Method? What is it exactly?

The SOAP Bible Study stands for:

S – Scripture

O- Observation

A- Application

P- Prayer

We are going to look at each one individually and explore the different ways you can use them in your study of the Word.

S – Scripture – The First Step in the SOAP Bible Study Method

This is the part where you get to choose which Scripture you want to dig further into.
It could be a verse you find during your daily Bible reading or one that you found in your Bible journaling or Scripture writing time.

Write the verse out (you can get my free SOAP Bible Study Method Prep Worksheet later in this post to use for this) and pray over it, asking God to show you what He wishes to speak to you through this study.

You can also choose a verse if you are studying by topic! For instance, if you are doing a topical study of parenting in the Bible you may choose a parenting verse each day.

If you are doing a topical study or if you are reading through a specific book of the Bible, it might be helpful to schedule out your Bible study!

My SOAP Bible Study Method workbook will help you do that! You can get it at the end of this article!

O – Observation – The Second Step in SOAP Bible Study

The observation part of the SOAP Bible Study Method is probably my favorite!

It is that time I get to ask questions that make me dig deeper into my verse.

This is a great place to ask the “who, what, where, when, why’s, and how’s” of the verse!

One of my amazing teachers, Rabbi Tony Eaton, said reading the Epistles is like reading someone else’s mail. It is not all being spoken TO us even when it is for us to learn from.

Sometimes the Lord is speaking to a specific person, like Moses or David, or one of the prophets. So we need to know these things.

So how do we “observe” in the Bible?

We look at:

• Who is speaking? Who is being spoken of?
• What is the focus of the verse? What does God want me to know about what I read? What promises are mentioned? What warnings? What commands?
• Where is this taking place? Where is the verse referencing? Where was the person who wrote it?
• When was this written? What timeframe is being spoken of?
• Why is this important to my walk with God? Why did ____ do ____?
• How is God trying to speak to me in this verse, this action, this wisdom, this person’s experience?

A – Application – The Third Step in the SOAP Method

This is the stage in the SOAP Bible Study Method where you will see what God wants to show you regarding how you can apply this verse, this lesson, and this teaching to your own life. 

How can you use what you get from the previous two steps in deepening your walk with the Lord? 

Does it speak to my life right now? Is it speaking to a situation I might be struggling with?

Are there other verses you can identify that are connected with this verse that you can study next?

Most Bibles will direct you to related verses. This is especially true when Jesus spoke the words of the prophets!

I advise you to not rush through this stage of your study.

In fact, I think it is a good idea to come back to this after the final step in the SOAP process and see if God has spoken anything to you further!

Take notes and then you can go back at a later date and see all the things He has shown you!

In the free SOAP Bible Study Method workbook, there is a note sheet where you can do that!

P – Prayer – The Final Step in the SOAP Bible Study Method

I did mention at the beginning of this post to pray before you start this study but now is the time to pray further and ask God to show you any lessons He wants you to draw from the Scripture you studied.

Has He shown you an area of your life you might be sinning in? Repent of that!

Has He shown you His will in a certain area? Ask Him to give you the strength to set aside your own will and follow His.

Has He shown you something you are holding onto that you need to put into His hands? Ask Him to help you to surrender to Him.See what else He lays on your heart and submit it to Him in prayer!

Has He shown you something you are holding onto that you need to put into His hands? Ask Him to help you to surrender to Him. Share on X

Yes sure, you could purchase a well-laid out study that walks you through the verses or the topic and explains how to interpret it but then you are getting THEIR interpretation.

The Word says in 2 Timothy 2:15

Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth.

CJB

In Hebrews 4:12 it says:

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword—piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

TLV

That “piercing”, that judging of thoughts and intentions come from your own study and the way the Lord speaks directly to you through His Word.

2 Timothy says “He deals STRAIGHTFORWARDLY with the Word of Truth”. So when you approach the Word on your own it allows you to experience His truth directly.

This method will help you dig into the Bible on your own and see what God has to speak to you directly!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOAP Study

1. What is the SOAP Bible Study Method?
The SOAP Bible Study Method is a simple, yet effective, approach to studying the Bible. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. This method guides you through a structured way of engaging with the Bible, helping you understand and apply God’s Word to your life.

2. Who can use the SOAP Bible Study Method?
The SOAP method is suitable for everyone—from beginners to seasoned Bible readers. Its simplicity allows you to go as deep as you want, making it a great tool for both personal study and group Bible study sessions.

3. How long does it take to complete a SOAP Bible study session?
The time it takes to complete a SOAP session can vary. Some people spend 15-30 minutes, while others may take longer to deeply reflect and pray over the Scripture. The beauty of this method is that it’s flexible and can fit into any schedule.

4. Do I need any special materials to use the SOAP Bible Study Method?
All you need is a Bible, a notebook or journal, and a pen. However, to make your study more organized and impactful, you can download our free SOAP Bible Study Workbook, which includes worksheets and planning tools.

5. Can I use the SOAP Method with any Bible translation?
Yes, the SOAP method can be used with any Bible translation. Whether you prefer the NIV, ESV, KJV, or another version, this method is adaptable to your preferred translation.

6. Is the SOAP Bible Study Method effective for group studies?
Absolutely! The SOAP method can be a great tool for group Bible studies. It encourages discussion and sharing of insights, as each person may observe and apply the Scripture differently.

7. How often should I use the SOAP Method?
You can use the SOAP method daily, weekly, or as often as you feel led to study the Bible. Some people use it for their daily devotional time, while others may use it as a part of a more extensive Bible study routine.

8. Can I combine the SOAP Method with other Bible study techniques?
Yes, the SOAP method can be easily combined with other Bible study techniques, such as Verse Mapping or Inductive Bible Study. You can tailor your study approach to what works best for you.

9. How can I keep my SOAP Bible studies organized?
To keep your studies organized, use a dedicated journal or our free SOAP Bible Study Workbook, which includes daily, weekly, and monthly planners. Regularly reviewing your notes can also help you track your spiritual growth.

10. What should I do if I struggle with the Observation or Application steps?
If you find it challenging to make observations or applications, take your time and pray for guidance. You can also consult commentaries or study guides for additional insights. Remember, Bible study is a journey, and it’s okay to take small steps. You can also get help from me by joining our Besorah Bible Study Facebook Group!

Our FREE SOAP Bible Study Method Workbook

As I have mentioned, I have created a SOAP Bible Study Method workbook for you to track your studies with a daily, weekly, and monthly planner.

It also includes a sheet where you can do your prep work by writing down questions, words you want to verse map, and more.

There are questions you can ask yourself for each verse as well!

I have created a FREE SOAP Bible study workbook for you to track your studies with a daily, weekly, and monthly planner. Share on X

And I am offering this to you absolutely FREE to help you on your journey and to thank you for your support!

I hope you find the SOAP Bible Study Method to be helpful and that you can use it for years to come and alter it as you grow to make it your own!

CJB – Taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern. Copyright © 1998. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. www.messianicjewish.net.

Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society.  Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.

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