S.O.A.P Journaling
Before anything else, echo David’s prayer, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Psalm 119:18 NLT
S – The S stands for Scripture –Write out:
The passage of Scripture that stood out
The name of the book
The chapter and verse numbers
Write out the verse if space and time allows for further reflection on what is being said
O – The O stands for Observation. What do you see in these verses?
Who is speaking (doing the action)? Who is the audience?
How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
What words stand out? Repetition? Contrast?
What does the passage say about God?
What does this passage teach us about mankind?
A – The A stands for Application. What do I need to do today?
What would the application of this verse(s) look like in my life?
Praise to give?
Promise to claim?
Sin to confess?
Example to imitate?
Command to obey?
P – stands for Prayer. Write a prayer based on the passage.
At times, personalize the verse(s) and pray God’s word back to Him.
Praise Him for who He is/for what He has done
Repent of sins I have committed/of commands I have neglected
Ask the need of others/for my needs
Yield my will to God’s will for me/my agenda to God’s agenda