Bible Study Breakthrough: Testing the SOAP Method

On Wednesdays of August I have been using the theme of Bible Study. We started by looking at why Bible study is important. If you have been a Christian for any length of time I'm sure you have heard how important Bible study is, so you make it something you have to do. Then when you follow through your excited. When you miss your quiet time, messing up again, you're upset with yourself. So last week I wanted to remind you that you are still loved.

In September I would like to do do a guided Bible Study. If you want to cast your vote for a specific topic, I would love to hear from you.  If you don't want to join us that is okay, but it doesn't change how important Bible Study is. To help you get started I'm going to show you 2 different ways to study. Today I'm going to show you my scripture journal of Genesis 2 using the SOAP method. Next week I'll show you Genesis 2 using Sketch Noting.

Scripture: you write out the scripture that speaks to you

Observation: you record what God has showed you

Application: you accept the challenge and put what you have learned into action.

Prayer: This is a place to you thank God for opening up scripture to you. You can also ask for him to help you put what you learned into action.

Ona

Despite ending with prayer I still feel it is important to open in prayer as well.  Now that you know the basis behind SOAP study, let's see what happens in Genesis 2.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please open my eyes and my heart as I study your word. Please help me to see something new that will push me to be the person you want me to be. In Jesus Name, Amen

Scripture:

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. - Genesis 2:1-3

Observation: God rested from His work, from His creating, from everything He had done. He made that day Holy because He rested.

Application: To rest means to stop working, it doesn't mean to work on different things. I need to stop working for at least 1 day a week.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to learn to rest. Thank you for your creation. Help me to treat it with the care it deserves. In Jesus Name, Amen



Scripture:

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams[b] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. - Genesis 2:4-8 

Observation: 1.  There was No rain at this point.  The garden / the earth was watered by the streams or mist coming from the ground.  2. The garden was full of food producing plants and shrubs, but outside the garden there wasn't any.

Application: We need to trust God's design and we should work this earth and take care of what is on it.


Scripture:

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.But for Adam[a] no suitable helper was found. - Genesis 2:18-20

 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[c] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’for she was taken out of man.”That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. - Genesis 2:21-25

Observation: 1.It is not good to be alone. We were made for connections / community. 2. We were made to help each other. 3. When it comes to marriage not all boyfriend / girlfriends are suitable. God will provide someone suitable and when they come we will share ourselves with them.

Application: We need to be willing to build community and connections with others.  We should also be willing to help others. We need to trust that God will provide a suitable mate (helper) in his timing.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Please help me to take care of the earth you have given me. Help me to build community and connections with others.  Help me to trust that you will bring a suitable friends and community to me. Help me to know when they are not suitable. In Jesus Name, Amen


Now that you have seen an example of how to do the SOAP Method, do you think it is something you can do? How can you improve on what I've done?