S.O.A.P.
Key Scripture: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on...Look at the birds of the air...Consider the lilies of the field...But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - Matthew 6:25-34
Purpose: S.O.A.P. (which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer) is an approachable way of getting in scripture with your group. This is a great tool that builds context throughout the Bible, while making observations in scripture, and how to put it into real life application so you can exchange your wishes for the Father's wishes through prayer.
Phase of Discipling Best to Introduce: D1
Discipling Tips:
Assign as homework or read together a whole chapter from the Bible.
After everyone comes back together, ask them to share one thing they learned/received from SOAPing, and what their step of obedience is.
This is a great tool to get people in the Word that may not be spending time in the word, or are just reading for head knowledge or maybe don’t think they can understand the Word so it therefore doesn’t help them to be in it.
Good tool to help people hear the voice of the Lord using scripture. Especially helpful because there is not a right or wrong way to what stands out to you and how does it apply to you.
When you introduce the tool:
Model it first for them!
You can assign a chapter for them to SOAP for next week, or…
You can send the group into different areas for 45 minutes to SOAP the chapter on their own.
Pay attention to what sticks out to them
Is there a theme of what things stand out to them throughout the process of soaping several chapters. It may be good insight to a future Kairos or set of belief patterns they have.
Is there a pattern of their application step being generalized or with wording that is more geared towards obedience in the future rather than obedience for today. They may need help learning to take their observation and making it applicable to their everyday life.
What SOAPing is and is not:
The Scripture section is only for them to rewrite their highlighted verses, NOT to add commentary or thoughts.
Tell them NOT to overthink the Observation section. Encourage them to write their free-flowing observations about the verses and why they think they stood out the most. There is no right or wrong way to observe.
The Application section is all about how the verses relate to their personal relationship with God. What is He showing/teaching them? What did the verses reveal about the Holy Spirit in their own life? How can they walk in obedience to what the Lord is asking them to do? Remind them to think practically and specifically: What can I do TODAY to make this part of who I am?
The Prayer section is just that – a prayer. Have them ask the Holy Spirit what He wants to do within them. What are their desires that they need to exchange for His? Their questions for the Lord? Get it all on paper and have them sit with it for a moment and see how the Lord responds. Then write that down, too.
Tool Specifics:
Read a whole chapter of scripture from the Bible.
As you read, take notice of which scripture(s) stand out to you the most.
Journal the following:
Scripture: Write out 1-3 verses from the passage that stand out to you.
Observation: Journal your observations about the selected verses within the context of the chapter (Don’t overthink it. Just write down your free-flowing thoughts, and why you think it stood out to you).
Application: How does this observation apply to your life specifically? Make it practical - Pinpoint a step of obedience the Lord is asking you to take TODAY.
Prayer: The exchange of our wishes for God’s. Write out your prayer and pause to listen for His response.
Tool Diagram:
Additional Tool Resources:
Originated/Adapted From:
Updated 5-14-2024