Transformative Bible Study: Engaging with Scripture Effectively
Summary
In our journey of exploring how to study the Bible, we have reached a pivotal point where we focus on practical application. The story of Emily serves as a relatable illustration of the challenges many face when approaching the Bible for the first time. Emily's initial intimidation by the Bible's size and complexity is a common experience. However, her journey from confusion to understanding highlights the transformative power of engaging with Scripture. Through the encouragement of a friend, Emily discovered the importance of starting with accessible parts of the Bible, like the Psalms or the Gospel of John, which introduced her to the compassionate and loving nature of Jesus.
The SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer—provides a structured approach to Bible study. This method encourages us to write down Scripture that stands out, observe its meaning, apply it to our lives, and conclude with prayer. This process not only deepens our understanding but also personalizes our interaction with God's Word. The story of Emily and the SOAP method both emphasize that Bible study is not about immediate comprehension but about consistent engagement and openness to God's guidance.
As we delve into Scripture, we are encouraged to look for people, places, and themes that resonate with us. The story of Gaius in 3 John exemplifies the importance of hospitality and faithfulness, reminding us that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God. The narrative warns against following poor leadership, urging us to discern and uphold what is good and true. By pressing into confusing or challenging parts of Scripture, we can uncover deeper truths and strengthen our faith.
Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a relationship with Jesus through His Word. Whether we are seasoned believers or new to the faith, the Bible is a living conversation that guides, challenges, and comforts us. As we continue to study, let us be open to the transformative power of Scripture, allowing it to shape our lives and draw us closer to God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Start Small and Accessible: Like Emily, begin your Bible study journey with accessible books such as Psalms or the Gospel of John. These sections introduce the character of Jesus and provide a foundation for understanding His love and compassion. Starting small helps overcome the intimidation of the Bible's complexity. [06:30]
2. Embrace the SOAP Method: The SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer—offers a structured approach to Bible study. By writing down Scripture, observing its meaning, applying it to life, and praying, we engage deeply with God's Word, allowing it to transform us. [13:08]
3. Seek Relational Insights: Look for people and relationships within Scripture, as they offer valuable lessons. The story of Gaius in 3 John highlights the importance of hospitality and faithfulness, reminding us that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God. [15:36]
4. Press Into Confusion: Do not shy away from confusing or challenging parts of Scripture. Instead, press into them to uncover deeper truths. Understanding context and seeking explanations can enhance our comprehension and strengthen our faith. [18:19]
5. Consistent Engagement: Regular engagement with Scripture is vital for spiritual growth. Even if understanding is not immediate, consistent study and openness to God's guidance will lead to deeper insights and a stronger relationship with Jesus. [25:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:48] - Emily's Journey with the Bible
- [06:30] - Discovering Jesus in Scripture
- [09:35] - Introducing the SOAP Method
- [13:08] - Applying the SOAP Method
- [15:36] - Relational Insights in Scripture
- [18:19] - Pressing Into Confusion
- [21:02] - Lessons from 3 John
- [23:31] - Warning Against Poor Leadership
- [25:55] - Consistent Engagement with Scripture
- [27:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 11:28-30
2. 3 John 1:1-8
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Emily, what initial challenges did she face when she first approached the Bible? How did her perspective change over time? [03:48]
2. What is the SOAP method, and how does it structure the process of Bible study? [09:35]
3. How does the story of Gaius in 3 John illustrate the importance of hospitality and faithfulness? [21:02]
4. What does Jesus promise to those who are weary and burdened in Matthew 11:28-30?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Emily's journey from confusion to understanding reflect the transformative power of engaging with Scripture? [06:30]
2. In what ways does the SOAP method encourage a deeper and more personal interaction with God's Word? [13:08]
3. How does the example of Gaius in 3 John challenge us to reflect on our own actions towards others and our relationship with God? [21:02]
4. What does Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 reveal about His character and His approach to those who are struggling?
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Application Questions:
1. Like Emily, have you ever felt intimidated by the Bible's size and complexity? What steps can you take to start small and make the Bible more accessible in your study? [03:48]
2. How can you incorporate the SOAP method into your daily routine to enhance your Bible study experience? What practical steps will you take this week to begin using this method? [09:35]
3. Reflect on a time when you showed hospitality or faithfulness to someone. How did that experience impact your relationship with God and others? How can you continue to practice these virtues in your daily life? [21:02]
4. Are there any confusing or challenging parts of Scripture that you have avoided? How can you press into these areas to uncover deeper truths and strengthen your faith? [18:19]
5. Consistent engagement with Scripture is vital for spiritual growth. What specific plan can you create to ensure regular Bible study, even when immediate understanding is not achieved? [25:55]
6. Jesus invites those who are weary to come to Him for rest. In what areas of your life do you need to accept this invitation, and how can you practically seek His rest this week?
7. How can you cultivate a relationship with Jesus through His Word, allowing it to guide, challenge, and comfort you in your daily life? What specific actions will you take to deepen this relationship?
Devotional
Day 1: Overcoming Intimidation with Small Steps
The journey of engaging with the Bible can often feel overwhelming due to its size and complexity. Many, like Emily, find themselves intimidated at first. However, starting with smaller, more accessible books such as Psalms or the Gospel of John can provide a gentle introduction to the compassionate and loving nature of Jesus. These sections offer a foundation for understanding His character and teachings, helping to ease the initial intimidation. By taking small steps, individuals can gradually build confidence and familiarity with Scripture, allowing them to explore more challenging parts of the Bible over time. [06:30]
"For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little." (Isaiah 28:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small step you can take today to begin or deepen your Bible study journey, and how can you make it a consistent practice?
Day 2: Engaging Deeply with the SOAP Method
The SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer—provides a structured approach to Bible study that encourages deep engagement with God's Word. By writing down Scripture that stands out, observing its meaning, applying it to one's life, and concluding with prayer, individuals can personalize their interaction with the Bible. This method not only enhances understanding but also allows Scripture to transform lives. Consistent use of the SOAP method fosters a deeper relationship with God, as it encourages openness to His guidance and insights. [13:08]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate the SOAP method into your daily routine, and what specific Scripture will you start with today?
Day 3: Discovering Relational Insights in Scripture
Scripture is rich with stories of people and relationships that offer valuable lessons for our own lives. The story of Gaius in 3 John, for example, highlights the importance of hospitality and faithfulness, reminding us that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God. By examining these relational insights, we can learn how to better love and serve those around us, aligning our actions with God's will. This exploration encourages us to seek out and emulate the positive examples found in Scripture. [15:36]
"Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church." (3 John 1:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you show hospitality or faithfulness to today, and how can you reflect God's love in your actions towards them?
Day 4: Embracing the Challenge of Confusing Scripture
Confusing or challenging parts of Scripture should not be avoided but embraced as opportunities for growth. By pressing into these difficult passages, we can uncover deeper truths and strengthen our faith. Understanding the context and seeking explanations can enhance our comprehension, allowing us to see the bigger picture of God's plan. This process requires patience and persistence, but the rewards of deeper insight and a stronger relationship with God are worth the effort. [18:19]
"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." (Proverbs 25:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one confusing or challenging Scripture you have encountered recently, and how can you seek to understand it more fully today?
Day 5: The Power of Consistent Engagement
Regular engagement with Scripture is vital for spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Jesus. Even when understanding is not immediate, consistent study and openness to God's guidance lead to deeper insights and transformation. The Bible is a living conversation that guides, challenges, and comforts us, and by making it a regular part of our lives, we allow it to shape us in profound ways. This consistent engagement is key to cultivating a lasting relationship with God. [25:55]
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." (Proverbs 8:34, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a daily habit of engaging with Scripture, and what specific time and place will you dedicate to this practice?
Quotes
"We're finishing up our series of how to study the Bible this week. We started out with preparation. How do you prepare to read God's Word? What do you do before you start reading that prepares you for consuming the Word of God, as sweet as honey as it can be, but we need to ask God for Him to guide us in what we are to take away from His Word. Oftentimes I read through the Word and I'm just like, yep, that person did that, that's really cool. I don't know how that works in my life. And other times you come across a spot and it's like, man, that really speaks to me today." [00:00:01] (34 seconds)
"Emily had been in and around the church. She had seen Bibles here and there, but she never really had one of her own. There have been times where she had seen verses people posted on Facebook or Instagram, or, you know, you go into Kirkland's and it's like the Christian store of wall hangings. I don't even know if we have a Kirkland's anymore. It used to be at the mall. It was great. Huh? Okay. I mean, everything in the mall is dying, so I'm assuming it's not there anymore." [00:00:53] (34 seconds)
"But it was just too intimidating for this Emily to really get into the Word. It's a large book, and not only that, it's a large lots of books, 66 books all compiled together. However, the font is really small, and it's a long thing that you don't know where to start. Maybe the beginning, maybe somewhere in the middle. Psalms is a great place. I don't know. But this Emily, one time she was at the Salvation Army." [00:01:41] (33 seconds)
"so she took the bible home and that night she opened it up and she flipped through some of the pages she kind of saw what was in there a little bit and she thought she'd start at genesis it's a good place to start when you read a book see when i read a magazine i tend to go to the back and work my way to the front apologize me thinks i'm crazy i mean if i find an article i'll read from the beginning of the article but i like going from the back i don't know but she started in the front she found genesis and she was reading through and there were some good stories but she was a little confused as she went in and of course as you go along there's a couple of names that come up in large long lists that become like" [00:02:59] (43 seconds)
"Emily found a Bible study at Jasmine's church. She clung into a group to where, as she read through Scripture, she was able to be sharpened by those around her. She discovered that the Bible wasn't just a book compiled of 66 books put together, but that it was actually a conversation, and a guide, and a source of hope for her and her life. later on she gifted a Bible to a friend who was struggling and inside that cover she wrote to her friend don't be afraid to start God will guide you" [00:06:52] (48 seconds)
"if the mountain is insurmountable climb a bunny hill read John 3 .16 over and over and over again Amen Amen. Some way, shape, or form, get into the Word. I'll let you in on a small hint. Last week I talked about our push -up contest, not contest, exercise that Paula and I have been doing. Well, guess what? We jumped back on the bandwagon and we lasted one more day. So this week we're going to go two days. Maybe. Three days? If you fall off the wagon, just get back on." [00:08:39] (38 seconds)
"The SOAP method doesn't give you a place to start. You're going to have to figure that one out. If you have questions, just Google it. They'll tell you or ask any one of us who have read once or twice in our life. We'll give you a place to start. Psalms is great. John is great. Proverbs is great. Genesis is even great. There's some really great stories up there. Revelation? Oh, Lamentation. Yeah, that one's tough. Revelations is tough at times." [00:09:23] (30 seconds)
"What do you observe in that text as to why you wrote it down? You wrote it down for some reason. Something about it stood out to you. Write down in your paper what you observed in that text. The A is application. How do you apply this to your life? How do you apply what you've read and what you have observed? How do you apply that to your daily life? F and the P, write a prayer. That's the preparation. The preparation comes before and it comes after." [00:11:40] (38 seconds)
"Look for spaces in scripture that don't make sense. That's going to happen. Places that don't make sense or they confuse you as to why they're even in scripture or what the scriptures are trying to say. And instead of running away from the places that don't make sense, the places that are confusing, press into those places. I have a study bible I've talked about. The study bible, the first half is scripture. The second half is explanation of the scriptures." [00:18:32] (34 seconds)
"Dear friends, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God, for they are traveling for the Lord and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that they can be their partners as they teach the truth." [00:20:48] (33 seconds)
"God, that's one example. Pull something from Scripture. God, reveal something from your Word to me today. When He reveals something, write it down. What do you observe in there? How can you apply what you've observed to your life? And then we pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you and we thank you for your Word. Even in a book that we don't get into on a regular basis, 3 John. It's a little tiny gospel, not gospel, a little tiny book way in the back of the New Testament." [00:26:36] (40 seconds)
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