S.O.A.P. Journaling - Introduction

Last Wednesday night in the young people's class, Bro. Mike reminded us about a little method of Bible study he had talked to the class about the Sunday night before (the youth have a separate class from the adults on Sunday nights as well as Wednesday nights, but I go in with the adults on Sundays so had not heard about it until Wednesday). He called it 'S.O.A.P. Journaling' and encouraged the ones who had not gotten one of the hand-outs to get one and try it out in their personal devotion time.
I got one of the bookmark-sized papers and read over it, and though I have not actually done it entirely yet, it looks like a very good and helpful method to use, or at least to incorporate into one's personal Bible study time. I hope to start soon.
I thought maybe when I start it, I would record my journalings here on my blog. As an introduction (and in case anyone reading may want to use it themselves), I am posting the instructions and suggestions from the little hand-out:


S.O.A.P. Journaling

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us through His Word. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the spiritual "nuggets" that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! It may be helpful to create a log at the front of your journal that helps you find a particular journal entry in the future that spoke to you. You could include: Date/Passage/Main Idea/Topic/… along with the page #. May God’s Word rule and reign in your heart as we learn together to live the Word and be more like Jesus.

S – SCRIPTURE – Select the passage of Scripture for today’s reading. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal. It may not be an entire verse. It may be a phrase or even a single word.

O – OBSERVATION – Who was this passage written to? Why? What was their response? What instruction has been given? Ask as many questions as you can about the passage and surrounding context. What is the author’s main point or emphasis on this particular scripture? Paraphrase what you believe the main point of this passage is saying.

A – APPLICATION – Ask yourself how the Scripture and Observations applied to the people who were in the context of what was read. Now ask yourself, "What can I learn from this and how does it apply to my life both in the past, present, and future?". Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write down how you would obey this scripture in your life today. "I will..."

P – PRAYER – This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out and ask by His Spirit that He would empower you to be faithful to His Word.

~Acknowledgments: Wayne Cordeiro