How Christian Parents Can Use the S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method to Help Grow Their Child’s Faith
“I love those who love me, And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
As Christian parents, it’s important to teach our children about God’s love and how to build a strong relationship with Him. While reading the Bible straight through is a good way to study God’s Word, there are many other methods to help children understand and apply what they’re learning. One such method is the S.O.A.P. Bible study method.
What is the S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method?
(Note: We will be using the verse from above)
S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It’s a simple yet effective way to study God’s Word and apply it to our everyday lives. Here’s how it works:
Scripture: Choose a short passage or verse to read out loud and write it down. This helps children to remember the verse and encourages them to think about what it means.
Scripture example: I love those who love me, And those who diligently seek me will find me. – Proverbs 18:7 NASB
Read a short Bible passage out loud and/or write it out. Yes, it is that simple. Have them write out whatever scripture they are reading that day/week/etc. Writing it out will help them to remember the verse. Some will read it in different translations just to see if there is a different way of reading it.
Observation: This is when children start to dig into the text to discover all the W’s – who, what, where, when, why, and how. Encourage your child to ask questions such as:
- Who said this in the Bible?
- What does it mean?
- What was going on?
- Who were they talking to in the text?
- Does the verse speak to me? Why?
As your child studies the text, they can use a word dictionary or online sources to learn more about the words and phrases used in the passage.
This was written in Proverbs which means it was written by Solomon but it was about God. He was speaking to all. Yes, the verse definitely speaks to me because it tells me I need to seek Him. I need to pray to God more and study his word. By studying his word more I will KNOW him and won’t be fooled as easily.
Application: Time to start applying whatever your child has learned to their life. Ask them questions such as:
- Is there a spot in your life where this verse can help you improve?
- What needs to change in your life to implement this?
- What is God trying to show you?
- What did you learn from this passage?
Encourage your child to think about how they can apply what they’ve learned to their everyday life, and to make a plan to put it into action.
I would apply this to my life by making prayer more than just once a day. I would also begin studying his word more by purchasing or using other apps to dig into his word. I want to search for the meaning in different languages.
Prayer: Use this verse to talk with God through prayer and tell Him what your child has discovered. Encourage your child to ask God to help them implement any changes they need to make in their life, and to thank Him for showing them the verse and how they can apply it to their life.
Lord, Forgive me for not realizing this sooner and for slacking in my bible reading. I thank you for putting a spotlight on this verse and showing me what I needed to add to my daily life. Please Father I ask that you help me make this more into a daily habit that I love doing. I would never want this to become like a chore, help me to love this and have fun doing it. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Using the S.O.A.P. Bible study method can help children to understand and apply God’s Word to their lives, and to build a stronger relationship with Him.
Tips for Using the S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method with Children
- Choose age-appropriate passages: Make sure the passages you choose are appropriate for your child’s age and reading level. Younger children may need simpler language and shorter passages, while older children can handle more complex ideas and longer passages.
- Make it fun: Bible study doesn’t have to be boring! Encourage your child to use different colors or draw pictures to help them remember the verse and what they’ve learned.
- Be consistent: Set aside a regular time each day or week for Bible study with your child. Consistency helps to build a habit and encourages your child to make Bible study a part of their daily routine.
- Lead by example: Children learn best by example, so make sure you’re setting a good example by regularly studying the Bible and applying it to your own life.
- Celebrate progress: Encourage your child to celebrate their progress and the changes they’ve made in their life. Celebrating progress helps to build confidence and encourages your child to keep going.
Don’t forget to click the image below to get the FREE printable SOAP bible study worksheet to use. (For personal use only.)
The S.O.A.P. Bible study method is a simple yet effective way for Christian parents to help their children grow in their faith and build a stronger relationship with God. By encouraging children to read and study God’s Word,