Meditating on the Word of God; God's key to prosperity and success!

Developing A Habit of Daily Bible Study, Journaling & Prayer
“How is your SOAP today?”

This Week's SOAP: 8 - 14 Mar
Previous Weeks' SOAP: 1 - 7 Mar2; 2 - 28 Feb; 15 - 21 Feb

From 23 March onwards, we begin a new series of bible studies using the "SOAP" method.

SOAP stands for Scripture; Observation; Application; Prayer.

SOAP is a simple method that helps believers develop a discipline and habit of daily bible study, journaling and prayer. It is adapted from the Inductive Bible Study method but modified so that Christians from all backgrounds can use it to build up their spiritual lives and be equipped for useful ministry.

Tools needed: a pen, a bible, a notebook to record your discoveries.

Time needed: 30 minutes – 10 for reading and observation, 10 for application and 10 for prayer based on the application.

How to do your daily SOAP exercise?

S is for Scripture – Choose 1 or 2 verses from the assigned daily passage. Write the verse(s) down word for word from your bible translation. Include the scripture reference e.g. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”, Psalm 23:1

O is for Observation – Take time for careful observation of the 1 or 2 verses you have chosen. Reading and meditating in the Bible is not the same as perusing other literature. Every word, every phrase is important. It is there for a purpose. To search out the meaning of a verse or passage is like detective work. You need to find out what is there, what is not there; what is said and what is not said. This is why deliberate scrutiny of 1 or 2 verses will yield greater results compared with just a cursory reading of large portions of Scripture. As you observe, ask yourself this one question: “What does this mean?” Is there a promise? Is there a command or exhortation? Is there a warning? Record your observations limiting yourself to a maximum of three.

A is for Application – After you have done your observations and made your findings as to what the verse(s) is saying, you move on to application. You ask the next question, “What does this (your observations) mean for me”? Take time now to allow the Holy Spirit opportunity to take the word of God and personalize it to minister to your needs. Again, record your applications.

P is for Prayer – This is the most important part of your SOAP exercise. You come to the place where the Holy Spirit is able to reveal your spiritual need in the light of the word of God. God’s word is the standard for our character and conduct. The distance between where you are and what the Spirit has revealed to you is the basis of prayer that is based on the word of God. It is this kind of prayer that He guarantees He will answer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him”, 1 John 5:14, 15

Example of SOAP

Scripture:
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God”, 1 John 4:7

Observations:
1. God calls us “Beloved”!
2. Because we are loved by God, we are called to “love one another” and called to continue to love with His kind of love.
3. This is the evidence that a person “is born of God and knows God”.

Application:
1. Do I know and experience that I am “beloved”, loved by God?
2. Do I reflect this in my relationship with the brethren, especially those I find difficult to love? Am I able to love them just as God loves me even though He may not like many things He sees in me?
3. Do I cry out to the Father to help me overcome when I have a relationship problem with someone in the Church?

Prayer: “O Lord, may I know and experience Your love to such a measure that I can always love whoever You place around me including those who I struggle with liking and loving. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!”

with Love,

Bro. Hock Lin
16th August '09