Studying the Bible can look daunting but it can be made simple with models such as the SOAP and CIA methods. The SOAP method is useful for a basic study of the bible whilst the CIA method is necessary for a deeper understanding of scripture, either individually or as a whole.
S – Scripture
Write out the verse or passage of scripture that stood out to you
0 – Observation
What did you get from it? What is God saying? Did you learn anything new?
A – Application
How can you live out this scripture? How will you integrate it into your life now and in the future?
P – Prayer
Ask the Lord to help you live out His word because it is not by power not by might but by the spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).
Here’s a bible study journal with the SOAP method
C – Context
Before you jump into a Bible passage, take a minute to get the bigger picture. Try to understand what was happening when it was written; research the history, the culture, and the situation around it. Ask yourself: Who wrote this? Who were they talking to? What was going on back then? Knowing those details will help you understand the message and keep you from taking things out of context.
I – Interpretation
Once you’ve understood the context, the next step is figuring out what the author was really trying to say to the people it was written to. What was the main message or takeaway? Does it connect to another part of the Bible?
A – Application
What does it teach you about God? How can you apply this message to your life now?
Here’s a Bible study journal that incorporates both the SOAP and CIA method
Learning how to study the Bible can be less intimidating with the use of these two methods.
