Anyone who handles money as part of their job is trained to spot counterfeit bills. The training includes a few examples of fake money but focuses on studying the authentic bill. When you know what to look for regarding the real thing, you do not need to waste time studying the endless number of false currencies. It is no different with the gospel – the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
I remember from my training in the Army how to properly hook up a vehicle or other large piece of equipment to the bottom of a helicopter, so it can be flown someplace quickly. Part of the process involves hooking everything up for transport and always having someone check everything to ensure that nothing is out of place. It is never good to have a vehicle come loose while being flown by helicopter and begin dangling by fewer chains than when the flight started. The point is that you are never trained to identify what is wrong when checking everything. Instead, you look for everything to be correct. If anything is out of place, it stands out like a light in the dark when looking for what is true. It is as if a flashing light goes off. After reading the Bible for many years now, it becomes apparent when someone is teaching something contrary to what will move people forward in their relationship with God.
After coming to know Jesus in 2003, I learned essential habits for reading the Bible that aided me in my personal devotional time. Studying Scripture during my free time in Afghanistan for a year piqued my interest in learning more. While sitting in Afghanistan for three more years of my life because of the fallout from divorce, I spent much of my time reading Scripture and praying. Having filled several notebooks with observations and prayers from my time of study line-by-line through books like Matthew and Ephesians allowed me to know God better through His word.
“Consistency equals accuracy.” You hear these words repeated on the firing range at US Army Sniper School (when I was there many years ago, anyway). When you are consistent in your shooting position and recording all the details of what can affect your ability to hit your target, you gather the best data for future shots. Getting to the point of firing your first round and hitting your target at long ranges is somewhat of a science and an art. It is essential to interpret atmospheric conditions like temperature, wind, and humidity. Learning to read the Bible is the best way to get to know God intimately. Just as important, in my opinion, is reading every word, so you do not miss important concepts.
Wayne Cordeiro was my lead Pastor in Hawaii when I was born new by God’s Spirit through faith in Christ. Wayne taught a simple method to read the Bible in his book The Divine Mentor. I used the method as part of my devotional Bible study method for years and have read through the entire Bible many times using it.
SOAP
Scripture, Observation, Application, & Prayer
Scripture
By writing out a verse or passage of Scripture that stands out to you as you read, you commit it to memory. There is no requirement to memorize anything, but you will learn where concepts are in the Bible as you practice this discipline. I literally write down a verse word-for-word based on the English version of the Bible I happen to be reading. Or, when I feel like going deeper, I will write out a passage in the Greek (or Hebrew if in the OT) and dive in deeper as I study the words.
Observation
The observation made that caused a specific passage to stand out is recorded. This could be repeating words from another section of a letter to one of the churches or a simple note that God is speaking in a passage. It is something worth taking note of. An example from one of my devotional times is when Jesus is being criticized by the religious leaders of His day. His response to those criticizing Him:
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13, NIV).
It occurred to me that if Jesus said to go learn what something means, then perhaps that is something there worth paying attention to. Common sense, right? Well, how many people do you know who have gone and learned what this means? Maybe we should do that!
Application
The application comes when I have personalized the passage to live differently. This can be an exercise in futility if I fail to understand the context of a passage and misapply a concept intended for a specific group of people at a particular time. His listeners apparently did not go and learn what the Scripture meant because a few chapters later, Jesus says this:
“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent” (Matthew 12:7, NIV).
The passage referenced by Jesus in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7 is from Hosea 6:6, and because Jesus said to go and learn what that Scripture means, we should go and study it. First-century Jewish readers would know that God desires covenant faithfulness or covenant loyalty (like a faithful spouse) rather than sacrificing animals to cover sin. Hosea wrote that God wants us to intimately know Him in the highest sense. Just as Adam was disobedient in his relationship with God, so was Israel. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were disobedient and unfaithful to Him. I am unfaithful. You are unfaithful. We are disobedient and unfaithful. There is no question that God wants me to be obedient to His call on my life, but my track record has some blemishes. Thankfully, God is merciful, and His desire is for us to know Him.
God wants a relationship with us. That is an observation. The application is that as we actively seek a relationship with Him, we are not focused on trying to do good or trying not to sin. My application from studying the words of Jesus is that I need to be intentional about pursuing my relationship with God. That means staying plugged into Him throughout the day. Prayer and studying the Bible are the primary ways I spend time with Him. Heavenly Father, I need Your help to pursue my relationship with You. Lord, help me seek You each moment so I will remain committed to You.
Prayer
Always write out your prayer exactly how you pray it. You will not regret this. Read through the books of 1 Peter or Luke using this devotional method and write out what stands out to you. It is enlightening, especially when sharing in small groups. Try reading through the first chapter of Colossians individually, then complete the SOAP method. You will glean insights into how other people think as you share with a group. You will not be doing all your study on your own, which can lead to some odd ideas about the Bible without input from others who also have the Holy Spirit of God.
What is the gospel message? What are the necessary elements to communicate the whole message? How would you explain the Good News to someone as if they have no clue about the Bible and no idea who Jesus is?
