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Picture of a Bible and SOAP Bible Study @ AVirtuousWoman.org

How to Use the SOAP Bible Study Method

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

Today I’m talking about how you can use the SOAP Bible Study Method to help you learn more about the passages of Scripture you are reading to grow your faith and understanding.

How to Study the Bible with the SOAP Bible Study Method | Free Printable @ AVirtuousWoman.org

There are so many ways you can study the Bible and a number of different Bible study methods out there. The SOAP Bible study method is one of my favorites because it’s so easy to use. It’s a simple method that gives you a good guideline for study.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

How to Use the SOAP Bible Study Method

The SOAP Bible Study Method takes a passage of Scripture and helps you dig into into the details and learn how to apply it to your life. You end each study time with prayer, asking God to help you apply it what you’ve learned.

If you’re new to the SOAP Bible Study Method or you simply just want to learn more about it, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s answer some questions you might have about this method of Bible study.

Can I Study the Bible Alone?

YES! In fact, it’s important to take alone time with God every day and be in the Word. It’s absolutely wonderful to fellowship with other believers and study together. However, spending time with God alone on a regular basis allows you to meditate on God’s Word and hear His voice.

You may find it hard to know where to begin when studying alone. That’s okay! You can start with any book of the Bible. I found that starting with some of the shorter books in the Bible was an easy way to get my feet wet when I first began to really study the Bible.

Why is it Important to Study the Bible?

The Bible is God’s Word. Inside the pages of your Bible you’ll find God’s direct message to you.  It’s not only a gift God gave us but an instruction manual for life. God’s Word offers encouragement, answers to life’s difficult questions, and it’s the best tool you can use for personal spiritual growth.

Reading the Bible draws us closer to God. God speaks to us and mold us through His Word. How can you know what God wants for you if you never read the Words He gave you?

As you study the Bible, you’ll notice a spiritual change in yourself. And I bet you’ll find that as your study time becomes a habit, your attitude will soften and you’ll feel more peace.

God’s Word offers us joy, peace, and certainty – all the things we strive for on a daily basis.

Reading and studying your Bible is important! Reading God’s Word each day helps you to stay connected to Him. But studying God’s Word deepens your faith and understanding of spiritual things.

Having a Bible study method that you enjoy using will help you understand more about:

  • what you believe and why you believe it
  • doctrine and theology
  • the context of certain passages
  • topics that pertain to your life

What is the SOAP Bible Study Method?

Having a method for reading the Bible helps you get into a routine each time you study. It helps you get in the right frame of mind for study. You’ll find that having a simple Bible study method gives helps you to better apply God’s Word to your life.

How to Study the Bible with the SOAP Bible Study Method @ AVirtuousWoman.org

SOAP stands for scripture, observance, application, and prayer. Let’s look at what each one of those mean, in depth.

Scripture

For this section you’ll read the scripture or passage of scripture in depth. You first read it without any prompting or help towards the meaning. Then you write it down which is a tactic that helps it make more sense and be more memorable.

related: Bible Study Methods for the Proverbs 31 Woman

Observance

This is the second step to where you dive deep into the scripture you just read and wrote down. Make note of anything you noticed that seemed interesting or stood out to you.

Many people like to use the 5 W’s method like you would in English, for this part. Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Try to answer as many questions about the scripture as possible in order to fully understand it. This means you might

  • read a commentary about the scripture
  • learn what scholars might have to say about the passage
  • read other translations of the verse
  • look up the original words in Greek or Hebrew, etc.

Really dig deep and study the verse or verses you chose for the day.

Application

This is the point where you slow down and ask yourself, “Out of everything I learned, how does this apply to me and my life and how can I utilize it in my life?”

This is the most personal aspect of the Bible study. You need to be honest with yourself. Take a hard look at any changes you need to make in your life or struggles you currently have.

Being honest with yourself will help you understand how best to practically apply the scriptures to your life today. You’ll be amazed at how much the Word of God can really change your life!

related: Does the Bible Interpret Itself

Prayer

This last step should also be your first step. Begin your study time with prayer. You can pray as your read God’s Word and even pray as you feel led throughout your study time.

Bathe your studying in prayer so that your mind and heart is open to what God has to show and speak to you through your scripture for the day.

Pray that God will show you how to apply this scripture to your life.

Use the end of your studying as a time to reflect with God on what you’ve learned. Have an open and honest conversation with God – just like you would with your best friend.

Tell Him your worries and fears, especially the ones brought up from your studying. If you feel confused or worried, pray that God will open your heart to what He has in store for you right now.

You may find that throughout the day you feel God’s voice speaking to you and revealing even more lessons about from your study time.

related: God Answers Prayer

Resources to Aid Your Bible Study Time

  • Blue Letter Bible
  • Bible Gateway

The SOAP Bible study method is a great method for digging into the Word of God.

It’s also an easy method to help guide you in your study time if you’re a beginner.  Read the Word and let God speak to you.

The SOAP and other Bible study methods are meant to make your time in God’s Word easier and more fulfilling.

Free Printable SOAP Bible Study Sheets

Free Printable SOAP Bible Study Method @ AVirtuousWoman.org
SOAP Bible Study Method

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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

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This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joelle Banson

    May 18, 2020 at 6:18 am

    Hi can you please send me a free printable?
    Reply
    • Melissa Ringstaff

      May 18, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      Sure!
      Reply

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Hi There! My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I believe that being a Proverbs 31 Woman isn't about being perfect. Here at A Virtuous Woman you'll find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose.


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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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