S.O.A.P. Wash Me and I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Last week was Promotion Sunday at our little church, so today was the first day of the new classes. I wanted to make sure everyone knew how to use S.O.A.P. so I reviewed and introduced it to the class today. We used John 12:1-11. Though I have shown this method before, I thought you might be interested in a refresher on how to use S.O.A.P. as well. You might want to buy or make a journal to record your daily readings.

S. Scripture - Prayerfully read a chapter and allow God to impress one or two verses on your heart. Copy that scripture as the heading of today's reading.

O. Observation -  In your own words, what are your observations about the context of the verse? 

A. Application - How has God impressed upon you to apply these verses in today's world? 

P. Prayer - Write your prayer about applying this scripture in your life.

The verse we took from John 12: 1-11 was verse 9. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 

Our observation was that people came to see Lazarus because he knew what it was like to be dead and then come back to life. They probably had questions like; "Did you go toward a light? Was it scary? Did you hover around and watch people as they mourned for you? Did you go to paradise or heaven?" One of the biggest take aways we had was that Lazarus was a man just like the people and they wanted to see someone whose life God had resurrected from death to a new life.

Our application became our Christian walk. We say we are Christians and people watch us every day to see how God has changed us, how He has delivered us from a lost/dead state to a new/resurrected life in Christ. Usually folks don't really come to church looking for God. They come because someone invited them. People want to see how God can change us in such a way that we are new people/creatures in Christ. They've never known what it is like to have their lives completely changed. They are curious to see how it works. 

Our prayer was of course personal and individual but here's my thoughts.

Father, help me demonstrate my life in Christ every day that others might see the wonderful change Jesus makes in my life because I have asked for forgiveness and salvation. May others be so affected by the change that it would cause them to turn to Jesus as well. In Christ name. Amen

Where will you be using SOAP this week? Won't  you share the insights God has given you?

Blessings,

Gail 

Hey Kids:

Paul wrote these words to young Timothy. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

II Timothy 3:15.

You can use S.O.A.P. You may want to do your own study or find out where your parents will be studying each day. God may reveal something different to you that you can share at family alter. God has something for each of us no matter how old or how young. We'd love for you to share with us, but most importantly, share with your family and demonstrate Christ to others.  

In The Beginning

Last week we looked at the first chapter of Genesis. I hope you enjoyed your time in God’s creation. I hope He revealed to you that the creation is so complex that it could in no way have just happened any more than a watch you found ticking on the sidewalk or a car in the parking lot could have just happened. Anything and everything has been created either by God or by man created in God’s image.

This week I’d like to dig deeper looking at the next few chapters. Using our SOAP idea of choosing one or two Scriptures from each chapter that God has impressed on your heart. Make an Observation and an Application. Then offer a Prayer concerning God’s will for you through this study. Let’s begin.

Genesis 2 – The Seventh Day – a day of rest, not made for God but made for man. A day for man to consider the “excellency of His works and God’s goodness toward him” (Geneva reference 2:3).

-          Creation of marriage. I noticed the change in wording from woman when she is created to wife as Adam declares the cleaving to his wife.

Genesis 3 – The original sin -   James 1:15 The grandkids and I were picking berries the other day and one said why do they have to have thorns?

 

 

 I replied because Adam and Eve sinned. We talked about the sin being disobedience.  She remembered the story and I think she must have done some pondering because later she said. “What about dinosaurs? Some people say Adam didn’t see the dinosaurs.” We logically reasoned that if sin caused death, when did the dinosaurs die? In a world so full of itself do we not still try to be gods, relying on our own ideas rather than on God’s Truth?

-          References to Adam and Eve as man and woman until it speaks of their relationship as husband and wife. Mark 10:6-9

Hope this helps to get you started digging deeper and seeking God. What God impresses on your heart from these chapters may not be the same thing He impressed upon me. That’s why it is so neat to share our discoveries. As we share we all grow.

Lord Jesus help us desire to know You better through Your word. Give us unity through Your word that we might be better servants of Thee. In Your name we pray. Amen.

S.O.A.P.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17

Have you ever watched someone make soap or listened as the old folks told about soap making?

“You take the ashes from the hearth and run water through them. That makes the lye. Then you take the fat from the hog that you kill and render the lard. Mix the lard and lye water together and stir til she’s thick. Pour it up in the wood molds and let it cure.”

 That would be the explanation most of our foremothers would give.

Soap making is a relatively new invention given to us from the Romans, but God has been using soap on us since the first animal sacrifices. Alters had to have ashes removed. The ashes already contained the animal fat. The one who cleaned the ashes already had the components of soap. All he needed to do was wash. The blood sacrifices were a picture of Jesus sacrifice for us. We are in need of spiritual cleansing from our sins. All we need is to do is ask Jesus to forgive us and cleanse us, to make our hearts brand new.

Just like we need a regular bath, we also need to make sure we keep our hearts clean. I John says 1:9,10 says: If we say that we have no sin. We deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

A friend introduced me to a Bible study method called S.O.A.P. It’s an acrostic for

Scripture

Observation

Application

Prayer

Read a chapter and write down the verse that seems to jump out.

Write down what you observe about the passage

Write how it applies to you.

Pray and ask God to help you apply this truth to your life.

Thought the video might be helpful.

click here