The S.O.A.P. Bible study method & free Printable

I can, and usually do, have many goals at the beginning of the year.  Like many people getting healthy has made that list many, many times.  Reading more books, more date nights with my husband, and ways to be incorporate more gratitude are also frequenters on my goals for the new year.  But without fail-the one that is always there is growing closer to God, going deeper in the Word, becoming more of who He has called me to be.

While I know there are many ways we can do that I also know that a daily time set apart for just Him and myself is absolutely foundational and critical.  That has to be top priority for me or it just won't happen as I get busy going on with the rest of the day and the rest of my to-do list.  

There are so many amazing devotionals and reading plans out there, one of my favorite basic methods though is the S.O.A.P method.  It was probably about 2 years ago that I first heard someone say they were going to "soap" a scripture and I felt absolutely clueless.   I took to Google that night and God led me straight to this post explaining it.

I love going through different Bible studies and devotionals as much as anyone, I just also love this alternative for when you're just wanting to pick a part a scripture or set of scriptures.  Here's the method if you are unfamiliar with it:

S- stands for Scripture.  Here simply write out the scripture(s).  
O- stands for Observation.  What does this scripture(s) mean?  What context is it in?  Who's speaking and who are they speaking to?  What main verses are jumping out at you?  Basically, what's going on here?
A- stands for Application.  How can I apply this to my day?  My life?  My relationships?
P- stands for Prayer.  Pray for the ways you've felt God is wanting you to apply this scripture(s)  to your life.  Pray these verses back to Him.  

If you are wanting to try out this method, I highly suggest some kind of journal to use.  Today I've provided a free printable mapping out this method!  Please feel free to print as many as you would like.  

Click here to print.

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