SOAP Bible Study Method
A Simple, Powerful Way to Dive Deeper into God’s Word
What is SOAP?
It’s one thing to simply read Scripture, but the SOAP Bible Study method invites you to slow down, reflect, and truly interact with God’s Word. When you take the time to S.O.A.P. your verses — writing them out, observing details, applying them to your life, and praying over them — Scripture comes alive in new and powerful ways. Don’t just read and move on; use the SOAP Bible Study method daily and discover how much deeper and more meaningful your time in God’s Word can be. You’ll be amazed at the difference!
SOAP stands for:
S– The S stands for Scripture- you physically write out the scripture……you’ll be amazed that what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!
O– The O stands for observation- what do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?
A– The A stands for Application- this is when God’s Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take?
P– And finally P stands for Prayer. Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.
Why SOAP?
The SOAP method of Bible study isn’t just a tool—it’s an invitation into daily transformation. Here’s why it’s so effective:
Simple & Intentional
It only takes a few verses a day, but helps you go deep.
Personal
It’s not just reading the Bible; it’s hearing God speak to you.
Life-Changing
Applying God’s Word daily leads to spiritual growth and renewal.
Flexible
Use it with any book of the Bible, on your own or with a group.
Repeatable
Whether you’re doing a devotion or an in-depth study, SOAP works.
How to Start with SOAP?
Here is a personal example….
Colossians 1:5-8
S– The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
O– (Many times I just bullet my observations……what I’m seeing at first glance when looking at the verses)
- When you combine faith and love, you get hope.
- We have to remember that our hope is in heaven…….it is yet to come.
- The gospel is the word of truth.
- The gospel is continually bearing fruit and growing from the 1st day to the last.
- It just takes one person to change a whole community…..Epaphras.
A– Something that stood out to me today was how God used one man, Epaphras to change a whole town!!! I was reminded that we are simply called to tell others about Christ……it’s God’s job to spread the gospel….to grow it and have it bear fruit. I felt today’s verses were almost directly spoken to LGG…..“all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” Isn’t it fun when God’s Word becomes so alive and speaks directly where we are at?!!!! My prayer today is that all the women involved in this Bible study will understand God’s grace and have a thirst for His Word.
P– Dear Lord, please help me to be a “Epapras”…..to tell others about you and then leave the results in your loving hands. Please help me to understand and apply what I have read today to my life personally, thereby becoming more and more like you each and every day. Help me to live a life that bears the “fruit” of faith and love……anchoring my hope in heaven, not here on earth. Help me to remember that the BEST is yet to come!
The most important ingredients in the S.O.A.P. method is YOUR interaction with God’s Word and your APPLICATION of His Word for YOUR life.
Ready to Begin?
All of our Love God Greatly Bible studies and Bibles are built on the SOAP method. We create beautiful, intentional resources to help you grow deeper in Scripture—personally, and in community.
Explore our SOAP-based Bible studies and start experiencing the joy of daily time with God.
