Starting 2025 on a Firm Foundation

 

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 I'm so excited to share with you the Bible study I'll be starting tomorrow! It's through a ministry called Love God Greatly. I've been doing Bible studies with them for over five years, since the fall of 2019. Their studies use the SOAP method that I've been fond of for many years. Just in case you haven't heard of this before, I'm going to break it down for you here. If you are interested in following along with me, you can send me an email to subscribe to my posts, or even do the study yourself by ordering the book or downloading the free app. 

S

 The "S" in SOAP stands for scripture. All SOAP studies are digging into God's Word. Typically, for Love God Greatly, they will offer a longer scripture passage to read for context and depth and then suggest a specific scripture or passage within it to study. This will usually be from one to three verses long. If I am using a journal, I will write this passage out as I find that the activity of writing helps me to consider it from a different perspective. If I am using a computer, rather than copy and pasting the scripture, I will type it out for the same reason. Another good practice is to read it out loud. I had a hard time getting used to this, but it really does make a difference. Something about hearing God's Word read, even by yourself, adds to the experience. Each of us lean more towards visual (with your eyes), auditory (with your ears) or kinesthetic (with your hands) learning, but we can all benefit from adding diversity to our study.

O

 "O" stands for observation. After reading the passage and copying down the scripture, what stands out to you today? I find that on different readings, the same scripture will stand out to me in different ways. Perhaps a specific word or phrase will jump out at you. Perhaps the passage raises a question in your mind that you either can or cannot answer in the moment. Perhaps you are reminded of a situation in your life or a story you've read elsewhere. Whatever it is, no matter how insignificant it might seem right now, jot it down. Some people like to use this prompt to do a word study or look up a particular subject, like the temple or what it took to be a priest. Here's a few tools I like to use for these:
Blue Letter Bible : This is my primary online study Bible. You can use the website or the app. If you click on (the app) or click "Tools" next to (the website) the verse, it will pull up a menu featuring: Interlinear, Bibles, Cross-Refs, Commentaries, Dictionaries and Misc. The Interlinear breaks down each word from the original language. Bibles will show you the verse in different translations for comparison, Cross-Refs will show you other places in the Bible that discuss the same things found in the verse. Commentaries will give you several options of tools, audio/video clips, and text commentaries that dive deeper into the meaning of the verse. Dictionaries help you to explore topics that the verse might reference, and MISC is just what you'd expect, miscellaneous resources. This might include maps, images, even music.
Bible Ref : Offers a simpler format with less options for those that get analysis paralysis.
Bible Gateway : Has even more resources, just in case you didn't find what you wanted in the other two!

A

 This is what my devotional blog posts are typically based upon. "A" stands for application. How does what you have read and learned apply to your life? Knowledge is worthless if it doesn't change how we live. Sometimes I'm not even sure what I will write here, but I start. I find that as I get going, the Holy Spirit intercedes and writes it for me! This is the most incredible feeling. I learn so much by just listening to what God is teaching me as I write. The application part of the study is where the rubber meets the road. It is part of the refining process that God is using to grow me into the person He designed me to be!

P

 Finally, we end with "P" for prayer. At first, it felt weird writing out my prayers. As I got used to it though, I found that this drew me down different paths. It helped me to see what I was saying to God, which sometimes changed what I wanted to say. It also gives me something to look back on. When I review my old studies, I can see what was on my heart and how God worked through it.

 Starting with this study, I'll be posting devotionals on my blog on Monday, Thursday and Friday. On Tuesdays I'll be sharing Travel information and on Wednesdays I'll be focusing on Wellness. This is all in an effort to share with you the things God is putting on my heart but not overwhelm you with 8+ posts a week! I'd love to hear your feedback as I go forward and refine this system.

Here's the Thing: As I've grown in this blog, I've gotten a better idea of my purpose, my passions. I love sharing them with you, but I also don't want to scare you away! I'm trying to find that sweet spot, the balance between following the passions God puts on my heart and finding consistency.

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