From Reading to Studying: The SOAP Bible Study Method Explained
As a baby Christian, I assumed I would have no problem understanding the Bible because my mind would have been instantly upgraded at salvation to reflect Christ. Although that would have been amazing to experience, it wasn’t biblical.
I knew enough to know I needed to read my Bible daily. But beyond that, I had no idea how people knew all the stuff they said came from Scripture. I had the desire to learn and grow but no idea how to get there.
One day, in what I now know was a God moment, I overheard two women talking about getting a group together in someone’s home to study the Bible with this new method they had been hearing about. When they noticed my interest, they invited me to join them.
Together, these precious ladies and I learned the SOAP method of Bible study - a simple study approach that quietly built a spiritual foundation as it taught us how to slow down, listen, and engage with Scripture in a deeper, more meaningful way. Personally, it took me beyond the “coffee cup” Scriptures I used to hunt for and rely on.
Even after the study group disbanded, I continued to use the SOAP method in my quiet time because it gave me structure without pressure and direction without overwhelm. Instead of constantly wondering, “What am I supposed to do with this passage?” I knew what to do next as it provided a gentle, grace-filled framework to help guide me along.
In this post, I would like to share this type of study with you as we walk step-by-step through the framework of the SOAP study method, followed by an example.
Gather your supplies so you don’t have an excuse for your mind to wander during study time
SOAP Bible Study
Preparation
The SOAP method works beautifully because it needs so few supplies; a Bible, a place to keep your notes, a pen, and an optional cup of coffee. Okay, the coffee isn’t necessary but it does help me relax and focus.
As far as keeping track of your study notes, many of us like to do that in our journaling Bibles. However, I don’t believe this method is a good fit for that. I would recommend a notebook. If, like me, you are a binder Bible study girl, head over to the Cups to Crowns resource library and look for the two free SOAP method journal pages and the SOAP binder cover that you are welcome to print off and use.
The SOAP Foundational Framework
SOAP is an acronym that stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.
S. Pick a Scripture to study. Rather than randomly jumping around, I believe it is beneficial to pick one books of the Bible and go through it chapter by chapter using this method.
O. As you read your chosen Scripture, observe the text. What does the text say? Not what you want it to say - but what does it actually say? Ask yourself questions about what you are reading. Sometimes it helps me to put the Scripture into my own words.
A. Personal application connects you to what you have just read by asking, “what does this mean for me and how can I live it out today? What is one small, practical step I can take today to put this verse into practice in my life?”
P. Prayer. Pray over your chosen verse and how to apply it to your life. We should always weave prayer into our study of Scripture. The Holy Spirit loves to help us understand and apply what we are learning, and praying back Scripture is a powerful way to pray.
Okay, now that you have the foundation, let me show you what it looks like in practice.
Pick a comfy spot to do your Bible study
A Step-By-Step Example of the SOAP Method
Scripture (S):
“Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV).
Observation (O):
Paul is telling the believers that prayer is a mental and spiritual experience. We can pray anywhere, anytime, with anyone present, and no one would ever know. We can (and should) teach ourselves to pray (share our everyday moments with God) as a natural part of our thought process.
To me, this says I have a choice in how I choose to respond in a situation. I have a choice where my thoughts go (Philippians 4:8). It also says that living with a thankful heart and mind toward God, regardless of my circumstances, is what He desires for me.
Application (A):
Since I should want His will to be prominent in my life, I need to be intentional about monitoring my thoughts, stopping myself when I want to complain, and turning that grumbling into a prayer of praise. Even when I can’t change my circumstances, I can change my perspective.
Instead of focusing on all the things that have gone wrong in my day, I can make the effort to focus on what is good, right, and true. I can slow down my reactions and not be so quick to talk or to get angry (James 1:19). Adjusting my focus is a matter of the heart and mind, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer (P):
Lord God Almighty, thank you for every blessing, big and small. Help me to see things from your perspective. Sometimes I get so caught up in the moment that I can’t see the big picture, so I tend to complain, moan, and groan instead of praying or trusting.
Forgive me, Lord. Help me to accept that talking with you throughout my day and working to adjust my thoughts have nothing to do with pretending my problems don’t exist or that my life is perfect. Instead, I can trust you are good and faithful no matter what I face, because we are facing it together. Thank you, God, that you are with me through this long process and that your will for me is always good. In Jesus’ name, amen!
The SOAP method can be a practical choice when time is short but you wish to soak in the Word
Why The SOAP Method Works
The SOAP method works for many reasons. First of all, it is simple. The supply list is small but easily adaptable. Your study can be done in 10-15 minutes and applied to any Scripture verse. You can even combine a few verses and SOAP them together.
The SOAP method helps you develop the foundational habit for daily quiet time with God, which is really helpful if you are having trouble focusing and need little snippets of God-time instead of longer study sessions (priceless during my brain fog or low energy days!).
Also, the SOAP method has the basic framework our time with God needs; it gets us into God’s holy Word, slows us down to see what Scripture truly says, encourages us to personally apply Scripture to our lives, promotes meditation on what we have read, and it is all wrapped in prayer.
So, if you have been reading the Word and feel a draw to go deeper, but just don’t know what the next step could be, please consider giving the SOAP Bible study method a try. See what you think. I promise, if given the chance, you will be amazed at how God speaks to you through His word with this simple but powerful study method!
A Few Journal Prompts for a Gentle Next Step
The prompts below are not part of the SOAP Bible study method. Instead, they reflect a practice God has used profoundly in my own spiritual walk – Bible notebook journaling. If you are unfamiliar with Bible notebook journaling, you can read more about it here.
1. The SOAP method helps us go from reading to observing to listening and doing. When you open your Bible, do you tend to rush toward understanding so you can be done or are you willing to sit quietly meditating on the text? Ask the Lord to show you what “slowing down” with His Word looks like in this season of your life.
2. We are all in a different season in our walk with God. He knows what we need, even when we do not realize it yet. As you observe a passage of Scripture, what stands out to you first: words of comfort, conviction, instruction, or a promise? What might this reveal about what your heart most needs from God right now?
3. As you study, it is normal to read the verses through the lens of past experiences, disappointments, and expectations. However, we must get beyond that to read what the text actually says. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you see the text as it is, not as you fear it might be or wish it would be. Record your insight.
4. Choose one truth from today’s Scripture reading and ask yourself: where does this intersect with my real life right now – my thoughts, reactions, relationships or habits? Write honestly, without trying to sound spiritual. Nothing you write will shock God, as He already knows.
I also include journaling prompts in my monthly emails as a way to encourage Bible notebook journaling with Scripture-centered reflections throughout the month.
If this practice of Bible journaling feels uncomfortable, feel free to move slowly or skip it altogether. The prompts are offered as an optional way to reflect, pray, and continue the conversation with God as you think biblically about your life. They are not mandatory but a gift from my heart to yours.
