NEXT STEPS IN READING THE BIBLE

We want to help you to dig deep into God’s word, the Bible. Below is one way we’ve found helpful. We also recommend the Explore Booklets and App from the Good Book Company (see below).

SOAP

In God’s word, the Bible, we come to understand and know Jesus better. God’s word is how God makes himself known to us and grows us as disciples of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, we want to be hungry for God’s word at Risen Church. Here is one helpful way to dig deep into God’s word, the Bible. It’s applying a simple pattern, SOAP, when we read the Scriptures.

S - Scripture that stood out

Plan to read the Bible chapter by chapter, book by book. Read a chapter or half a chapter each day. Then pause to write out the verse or sentence of Scripture that struck you or stood out to you from that section.

O - Observation

What is it that struck you or stood out? Write down what you observed.

As you think about it keep thinking about the context (surrounding verses and chapter) of the verse or sentence. When it comes to understanding the Bible context is king!

A - Apply

God’s word should make a difference to our thinking, our hearts and our lives. Or put another way it ought to transform our heads, our hearts and our hands.

For this change to happen we need to apply God’s word.

Here are some questions to get you thinking about how you ought to apply God’s word.

  • What did you learn about God?

  • What did you learn about yourself?

  • What did you learn about being part of the people of God?

  • What did you learn about Jesus and his salvation?

Or, what does this passage want to see changed in:

  • Your thinking or understanding – your head?

  • Or your heart?

  • Or your life?

  • In your church?

  • In your community? 

P - Pray

Write out a prayer responding to the Scripture passage, your observations and application. And pray that prayer.

Two more thought

If you did this in a note book you would build up your very own commentary on a book of the Bible.

Did you know that if you read 3-4 chapters of the Bible a day you would read it all in 1 year?

Download a PDF of this document here.

 

EXPLORE BOOKLETS AND APP

We also love the Explore Booklets and App from the Good Book Company. Just Search online for them.

We commend them to you.