The Bible. What Is It? Sample

Imagine sitting in front of a pile of LEGO bricks. They somehow go together to make a creative and beautiful piece, but how can you assemble it without instructions? Then, someone hands you the exact instruction book to build the set. Awesome! How do you begin?

Like everything else, you start with one choice, one instruction, and one application. Get this piece and put it here. And God’s Word is the same way! It requires us to open up the book, study one Scripture at a time, and then consider what it says and how we can apply it to our lives! Get one piece and find out where it goes. Let’s explore one way to do it.

There’s a Bible study journaling method called SOAP – which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Here's how you do it:

1. Scripture: Choose a Scripture or passage that you want to read and highlight/underline it in your Bible or Bible App.
2. Observation: Make Observations about the passage (For example, what does it say, teach or warn of?).
3. Application: How will you apply this truth to your life? What steps can you take? What changes do you need to make?
4. Prayer: Respond to God with prayer.

This is a simple framework on how to have that conversation with God - breathing in his Word, allowing it to form and transform us, and then breathing out back to him in prayer! Grab something to write or type with (your Notes app could work), take a few minutes, and let’s use the SOAP method on today’s Scripture passage! Here are some other questions to consider and reflect on as you do:

Consider: How are God’s laws and commands described in this passage? Do I see them in the same way this author did? Why or why not?

Reflect: When we are obedient, whether, to our parents, teachers, or any figure of authority, we do so out of love and respect. With God, it should be the same. We should obey God and follow his commands because of our love for him and our desire to know him more. How does obedience to God affect how you personally encounter and interact with him?