SOAP Bible Study Method – Free Worksheet – Free Printables: Christian ~ Inspirational ~Motivational

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We are commanded to study the Word of God. The SOAP – Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer – Bible study method is a fantastic way to dive into the Word of God! It’s an effective approach that doesn’t demand a ton of your time. In just under thirty minutes, you can engage with the Word in a powerful, yet simple and practical way. This method will help you deepen your relationship with God, transforming you from just a hearer of the Word into a doer of the Word. After all, that’s the whole point of studying the Bible!

S.O.A.P. Method Explained

SCRIPTURE

Always begin your bible study with prayer, asking God to help you understand His Word. Read, and then write down the bible verse or passage of scripture you want to study. It’s a good idea to read the scripture out loud when copying it, so that you “hear” the Word. If you do not have enough room to copy the whole passage, you can simply copy the reference (ex. Psalm 23).

OBSERVATION

What does this scripture say? Examine the text by asking the questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Context rules, so you often need to read verses before and after your text in order to come to the correct interpretation (what does it mean) of the scripture. Look for key words and/or phrases. If something is repeated, it is important! There are online resources listed on the following page to aid you in observing and interpreting the Word of God.

APPLICATION

How can I apply this scripture in my life? Meditate on what you have learned, asking yourself the following questions. Did God give me any commands I need to obey? Did He show me any sins I need to confess? Did He give me any promises I can claim? How will this scripture help me today? How can this scripture help me in the future? Write down your answers as the Lord speaks to you.

PRAYER

God has spoken, and now it is your turn! Pray His Word back to Him, asking Him to help you apply it to your life. Pray that it will take root and dwell richly in your heart and mind, teaching and correcting you, so that you become more like Jesus. Praise Him because He is good. Thank Him for His grace and help in your times of need, and for everything.

HELPFUL BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES

Bible Study starts with a good Bible. There are many Bible translations, but unfortunately, they are not all equal to each other. Some are no more than a paraphrase, such as The Living Bible and The Message Bible. Others are not the best translations from the original texts, often changing, adding or taking away words and phrases. Since most of us do not read the original languages the Bible was written in, Hebrew and Koine Greek, we need to use a translation that is as close to the original texts as possible.

We recommend the New American Standard {NASB), King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NJKV), or the English Standard Version (ESV). There are online Bibles, such as Bible Hub or Bible Gateway, where you can read from different versions at the same time for a comparison. You can read more on the topic of translations from The Bible Society.

To accurately observe the scripture, and in order to interpret it, we need to make sure we understand what the key words actually mean. That is, we have to know the real meanings of the words when they were originally written. Words can change meaning over time, but the words in the Bible do not. What it meant when it was written is still what it means today. Knowing the original Hebrew or Greek word and it’s meaning, will give you a deeper understanding of the scripture. My favorite Bible study resource for this is the Touch Bible App. This App uses Strong’s Concordance, and has the key words already highlighted. You simply touch the highlighted word and you are given the actual word used in the original language and its definitions. This is very helpful because you can have two words in the same verse or passage translated as the same word (ex. “leadeth” in Psalm 23), but it is actually completely different words with different meanings. Knowing this will lead you to a different interpretation and thus, a deeper understanding of the scriptures.

The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is an extremely helpful aid in understanding words no longer in common use (as often found in the bible) or words that have changed significantly over the years. If you will be using the KJV of the Bible, you will find this dictionary an indispensable tool.

There are three different styles to choose from in color and black and white. You can print enough pages for a week, month, or even a year. Put them in a binder or have them bound.