How to Read Your Bible in a Way That Actually Changes Your Life (Using the SOAP Method)

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

One of the biggest misunderstandings about faith is thinking that it will grow simply by being around it. We go to church, listen to a sermon, maybe even join a small group — and we assume that’s enough. But here’s the truth: you cannot grow in your relationship with God on second-hand knowledge alone. What I mean by that is knowledge that someone else received from the Word of God, and then they share with you how the Spirit spoke to them. You need to hear from God's Word firsthand. 

Imagine a baby relying on their parent for every bite of food. That’s perfectly normal at the start. But as the child grows, they need to learn how to feed themselves. Spiritually, it works the same way. You can stay a baby Christian — always dependent on someone else to “spoon-feed” you — or you can grow into maturity by learning to “self-feed” through God’s Word.

A GUIDE FOR DAILY LIVING

The Bible is not just ink on a page. It’s God’s living Word — alive, powerful, and full of promises. It’s how He speaks to us and reveals His heart for our lives.

The psalmist wrote:

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

(Psalm 119:105)

Literally, the Bible shows him how to walk through this life. The Bible is meant to guide us in how to live for Jesus in our everyday walks of life. 

And Paul reminded Timothy:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

(2 Timothy 3:16–17)

It is useful - the Bible is not meant to be an ornament on your nightstand. Notice that word: training. Just like learning a skill, becoming spiritually mature doesn’t just “happen.” It’s the result of daily time with God’s Word — not rushing through it, but reading with the expectation that God wants to speak.

The challenge, of course, is knowing how to approach the Bible in a way that’s both simple and meaningful. That’s where the SOAP method comes in.

THE SOAP METHOD

Pastor Wayne Cordeiro popularized the SOAP method. He wanted to give his church a tool that would help ordinary people engage the Bible in a way that was personal and transformative — not just academic. I have used it for many years and found it to deepen my time spent in the Bible.

SOAP is an acronym that stands for:

• Scripture

• Observation

• Application

• Prayer

Here’s how it works:

1. Scripture

Start by reading one chapter of the Bible each day, ideally working through an entire book instead of jumping randomly from verse to verse. I prefer to finish one New Testament Book, and then do one Old Testament book, and so it continues. 

As you read, underline or highlight everything that stands out. When you finish, go through your highlighted sections. Then choose one section (a verse or two) that especially speaks to you and write it in a journal.

Journaling is a key part of SOAP. It helps you remember what God showed you, track His promises, and look back later to see how He’s been at work in your life.

2. Observation

Once you’ve chosen your verse, pause to ask: What’s going on in this passage/chapter? Who is speaking? What’s the context? What’s the main idea?

Write a sentence or two about what you observe. Don’t overcomplicate it — this isn’t a theology exam. Just capture the essence of what is happening in the chapter. Think of it as a mini-summary of the chapter.

3. Application

Now comes the turning point: go back to the verse or two that you wrote down in step 1. How does this verse apply to you specifically? God doesn’t just want you to learn information; He wants His Word to transform your heart and daily life.

Ask questions like: What difference should this make in the way I live, think, or respond today? What is God asking me to do or to change? What is God revealing to me about His character? What promise does He want me to hold on to? What lie is he revealing that I should let go of?

A trick I learned that has really helped me make it applicable to my personal life is by writing the application as if God is speaking to me directly. For example: “Louis, stop rushing ahead — learn to wait on Me with patience.”

4. Prayer

Finish by turning you’re Application into a conversation with God. Thank Him for what He’s shown you. Confess where you need His help. Ask for strength to live it out. And remember — prayer isn’t one-way. Pause and let the Holy Spirit speak to you, too.

WHY IT MATTERS

Think of SOAP like spiritual exercise. Just as your body gets stronger with regular training, your soul grows stronger every time you spend time with God in His Word.

Here’s the bottom line: sermons and devotionals are helpful, but they can never replace your own time in God's Word. If you want to grow from spiritual infancy into maturity, you need to feed yourself on His Word daily.

The SOAP method is a simple way to do that. It doesn’t take hours, and it doesn’t require a seminary degree. It just requires a willing, expectant heart, a Bible, and a few quiet minutes with God.

So grab your Bible, open your journal, and start SOAPing today. You’ll be surprised at how God meets you in His Word.