AT SHINE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME DAILY IN GOD’S WORD.
BELOW IS A GREAT READING AND JOURNALING PLAN WE FOLLOW.
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WHY S.O.A.P. IT?
It’s one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it, suddenly words start popping off the page. By SOAPing your verses you are able to dig deeper into scripture and “see” more than if you simply read the verses and went on your merry way. Let me encourage you to take the time to S.O.A.P. the daily verses and see for yourself how much more you get out of your daily reading……you will be amazed.
WHAT DOES S.O.A.P. MEAN?
S – The S stands for Scripture: You physically write out the scripture……you’ll be amazed that what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!
O – The O stands for Observation: What do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?
A – The A stands for Application: This is when God’s Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take?
P – And finally P stands for Prayer: Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.
Studying God’s Word like this can take as little or as long as you have time to give. Some days it can take just 10 or 15 minutes, other days longer.
HOW DO I S.O.A.P.?
Here is a personal example from Colossians 1:5-8
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SCRIPTURE
Colossians 1:5-8
The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
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OBSERVATION
(Many times I just bullet my observations……what I’m seeing at first glance when looking at the verses)
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When you combine faith and love, you get hope.
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We have to remember that our hope is in heaven…….it is yet to come.
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The gospel is the word of truth.
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The gospel is continually bearing fruit and growing from the 1st day to the last.
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It just takes one person to change a whole community.
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APPLICATION
Something that stood out to me today was how God used one man, Epaphras to change a whole town!!! I was reminded that we are simply called to tell others about Christ……it’s God’s job to spread the gospel….to grow it and have it bear fruit. It's my job to share the good news!
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PRAYER
Dear Lord, please help me to be a “Epaphras”…..to tell others about you and then leave the results in your loving hands. Please help me to understand and apply what I have read today to my life personally, thereby becoming more and more like you each and every day. Help me to live a life that bears the “fruit” of faith and love……anchoring my hope in heaven, not here on earth. Help me to remember that the BEST is yet to come!