The Bible is an important way to hear God's voice in your life.
It's our primary authority for what we believe, a history of faith and truth, and a library of God's story with us. It shows us how Jesus wants us to live and love others. Most importantly the Bible is God's letter to you. Studying the Word of God is a discipline that produces a godly lifestyle. You cannot be an effective Christian without knowing how to effectively study the Scriptures, and we are committed to helping you along the way! A great place to start is using the SOAP Method of Bible study, as detailed below.
Reading the Bible // The SOAP Method
SOAP is an acronym: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. Journaling is an important part of SOAP and is an excellent way to record and process what God has spoken to you. Without writing your experiences down, you may forget things you have learned, prayer requests that have been answered, and some very important lessons along the way!
Scripture - READ THE BIBLE.
Take your time reading each chapter and allow God to speak to you. Look for a verse that particularly spoke to you and write it in your journal. (Look in the back of our "Now What?" books to find recommendations on which chapters of the Bible to start with).
Observation - WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE SAY? WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE MEAN?
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Study the context of the scripture to fully understand the meaning. Who wrote this passage? When and why was it written? Who was it written for? Sometimes, it's important to use trusted study tools to help you along the way! The goal is to personally discover what God, through His human authors, intended the Bible to mean.
Application - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO WITH WHAT I HAVE READ?
Applying the Bible to your own life happens through observation and accurate interpretation. Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Record in your journal how this scripture can apply to you today.
Prayer - TALK TO GOD.
Prayer is how we connect with God, and should be a two-way conversation. It can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say and journal about it. As you grow in prayer, it should be become an important part of your daily life. Each of us should have a dedicated time for prayer, along with prayer being woven throughout your day.
A great place to start learning to pray is "The Lord's Prayer" and can be found in the book of Matthew chapter 6, verses 9-13.
Scripture - READ THE BIBLE.
Take your time reading each chapter and allow God to speak to you. Look for a verse that particularly spoke to you and write it in your journal. (Look in the back of our "Now What?" books to find recommendations on which chapters of the Bible to start with).
Observation - WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE SAY? WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE MEAN?
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Study the context of the scripture to fully understand the meaning. Who wrote this passage? When and why was it written? Who was it written for? Sometimes, it's important to use trusted study tools to help you along the way! The goal is to personally discover what God, through His human authors, intended the Bible to mean.
Application - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO WITH WHAT I HAVE READ?
Applying the Bible to your own life happens through observation and accurate interpretation. Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Record in your journal how this scripture can apply to you today.
Prayer - TALK TO GOD.
Prayer is how we connect with God, and should be a two-way conversation. It can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say and journal about it. As you grow in prayer, it should be become an important part of your daily life. Each of us should have a dedicated time for prayer, along with prayer being woven throughout your day.
A great place to start learning to pray is "The Lord's Prayer" and can be found in the book of Matthew chapter 6, verses 9-13.
Get a Bible
Some prefer a paper Bible, and some love the online version! If you prefer to buy a paper Bible, we recommend a CSB, NIV, or NLT translation "Study Bible". If you prefer a digital version, YouVersion offers a free online or mobile app version of the Bible that provides various translations, reading plans, and more. To get started, click one of the buttons below!