![]() ![]() Through prayer thank God for teaching you, express what you have learned, and ask God to help you apply this truth in your life. “Right now I believe God wants me to….” Complete that sentence with the action you need to take to apply the scripture. In my own journaling practice I found one of the simplest and most effect ways to do this was to complete the sentence. If you have identified in a passage a principle, task, or change, then ask yourself how it personally applies to you. God calls us through his Word to grow as disciples. You can learn more about the latter three in my post, “Are you hearing these three calls to action in scripture?” With that in mind watch for truths you need to know, principles you should implement, tasks you should accomplish, or changes you need to make. He wants to teach us about Himself and about how to live our lives as disciples. What does this passage mean for us today? God seeks to instruct us through his Word.Most misunderstanding and misapplication of text is rooted in failing to consider the context. It pushes you to explore the biblical world more deeply. What would this passage have meant for the original audience? This question pushes you to think about the context of the passage. ![]() Just bullet point observations upon your first reading of the passage. These notes don’t even have to be full sentences. In a journaling process that I have followed which is closely aligned with this method, I use to record three things: One of the downloads I have prepared, “The One Year Bible Reading Guide” offers multiple plans for you to choose from. That’s just one more simple reason to not get around to reading. Following a bible reading plan will help you be more consistent and you won’t waste time trying to figure out what to read. Read a passage and write down a verse or two that stands out for you. To follow the SOAP bible journaling method you need three things: A healthy bible study and prayer life will be well-rounded. People report to me that one of their devotional struggles is that they tend to fall into just thanking God or only asking God for things. Third, methods broaden your experience of God. In those moments, a method can get you over the hump of resistance. Let’s face it - sometimes bible study is hard work and you aren’t excited about it. I just listened to an interview with a psychologist whose research revealed that when people have a ritual around an activity it can help them complete the activity even when it’s difficult. Second, a method creates greater faithfulness. A method helps you set and keep an intention for your time with God. Having a structure is a bit like having an agenda for a meeting, or a grocery list for a trip to the market. ![]() A method offers you a pattern to come back to when your attention wanders. BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING A METHODįirst, a method helps you focus. Before I break down the SOAP method, I want to interject a word about the benefits of adopting a structure for your bible reading time. This easy approach is very similar to the daily practice I followed in college. I recently encountered a bible journaling model known as the SOAP method. Following a structure inherently helps you overcome common problems people have keeping a consistent devotional time. Our SOAP journal contains the 'Canvas' section from our Dream Planners including dream planning, refocus cloud, an exercise to speak God's word over your fears.I am a big fan of using a structure for your devotional time. There is no right or wrong way to do it it is your journey to finding truth in God's word so that you can grow strong in the LORD. "I have been so blessed to learn the SOAP method at my church Hillsong NYC, and after incorporating it into my daily routine, the Bible began to challenge, uplift and refine me in new ways! God has pressed this product on my heart for years, and I am so excited to place it in the hands of His children and give them a beautiful space to fall in love with His words on a new level." - PollyĮach season contains a 14-day SOAP bible study, with a journal entry in at the beginning and end to open up and offer your heart your God.The space in our book is minimal and very open, so you can also use this daily space to journal about your day, write what you are thankful for, and meditate on what the Lord is speaking to you. The purpose of our SOAP journal is to navigate the seasons of life using God's holy word.
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