October 14, 2022
SOAP is an inductive Bible Study method. I'm using it in my new Happy Planner. I'm so happy to discover how easy this method has made my Bible reading time. PLUS I love the Happy Planner! It's so pretty, full of scripture and organized to make it easy to use. Did I Mention how pretty it is??? This week, Oct.10-15 2022 all Happy Planner materials are on sale for 40% off! I bought the planner, pretty stickers to aid in journaling with scripture on some of them, and bookmarks etc. My friend Debbi told me about them. Once I saw them and watched a couple videos I was hooked.
I first learned of the SOAP method from a study we did with an Ann Graham Lotz book. It appealed to me then, but after watching the video above, it decided to give it a try. I LOVE it. It helps me find the main ideas in my scripture for the day. The planner also helps in that regard too, as it has a specific space to write it, which forces me to be brief. This has been such a blessing to me, because I usually write a page of notes on just one passage of scripture. That can be very tedious and I find I didn't remember as much with all that writing as I do when using the main points in the SOAP method. I am using a reading plan from Bible Gateway. Read the New Testament in One Year. You can set which Bible translation you like and you can even put the app on your phone.
S– Scripture- you physically write out the scripture.
O– observation: Examine the text and write down what you notice.
What jumps out to you in the passage?
Who is it written by? Who is it written to?
What’s one thing you didn’t notice before?
What seems interesting or unusual?
What comes before and after the text?
Is there repetition, comparison, or contrast?
A– Application- Apply God’s Word to your life in a practical way. This is the part where you personalize your study of Scripture. As you read over the text, how does it apply to you? Is there a specific action you need to take or a confession you need to make?
If it’s an action, try to make it SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
P– Prayer: Respond to God’s Word with your own words.
- Accumulating head knowledge about God is of little use; it’s heart transformation He’s after, and that’s only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that the seed (the Scripture you just studied) falls on good soil in your heart, so that it will take root and produce fruit. Praise God for His attributes revealed in the passage. Confess any sin that has come to light during this time of studying. Thank Him for His Word and His care. And ask the Holy Spirit to continue growing you into a disciple of Jesus.
My Favorite Video Showing Faith Planning: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLsKP3OBsM&feature=youtu.be
The Happy Planner website (faith planners): https://thehappyplanner.com/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage%2Ccollection&q=faith+planners
Amazon Happy Planner Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/TheHappyPlanner/Homepage/page/FEA43FCC-E964-4636-A0BE-B1FE2177CE0D
There are other styles and additional products you can get to feed your inner craft or scrapbook diva.
October 16, 2022
Today I have an update on my Faith Planning progress. I've watched few more videos and read some more blogs as well. I love getting ideas from other people and seeing what they're doing with their Faith Planners. I've been focusing on the Happy Planner brand, as that is what I have. They have an extensive line of products a huge range of different styles. I've learned that Hobby Lobby, Joann, and Michael's all have sales on them and of course Joann and Michael's have those lovely coupons.
The first two photo's below show a couple of the dividers in the planner. It's so beautiful and the functionality of the page is perfect for starting out a new week. There is a section for Prayers, Blessings, God's Hand In and Intention. I am using this page, but if you chose not to you could rework it by covering the words with stickers or washi tape. That's exactly what I did on the pages you see in the last two sections. One page had a monthly layout for a previous month in this planner. As I wasn't going to use this page, I covered up the dates and wrote some inspirational quotes and scripture verses on it. Another section has what is called "filler pages." These are blank for you to use as you like. I took notes in Bible Study on one page in that section, and will use subsequent pages for meaningful scriptures and quotes that inspire me too.
I can't tell you describe to you how well this is working for me. The spaces for each day are perfect because they force me to be brief (I usually take a whole page of notes) using bullets and main ideas. Which is also helpful as I remember those much better than all the information I have been writing on pages of notes. This process also less time consuming, making it easier for me to continue with each day.
Here are two blog posts on using SOAP, except they call use a K for kneeling, instead of a P for praying, which gives you SOAK. I like that too!
https://womenlivingwell.org/2015/01/how-to-use-soak-bible-study-method-bible-coloring-chart/
Here is another good blog post on using the SOAP method https://www.mindyjonesblog.com/soap-bible-study-method-printable/
October 18, 2022
I've been calling this a Faith Planner, which is a combination planner, Bible Study and scrapbook. It has multiple sections that you use to document your faith. However, I just discovered an even better term that describes it perfectly, and that is War Binder. As you know, I've been using a Happy Planner as my Faith Planner, it could easily be referred to as a War Binder (or War Journal), because of the spiritual warfare we face constantly with Satan and his demons. The best way to equip ourselves for this war, is through prayer and reading the Bible regularly. What better way than to keep a War Binder, just like real generals in battles? Although Faith Planner and War Binder are essentially the same thing, I want to take some time to explain what a War Binder/Faith Planner is and how you can customize yours to suit YOU.
War Binder?
It is in fact, a “mobile war room” that you can take with you everywhere. The term ‘war binder” came from the movie The War Room, where Ms. Clara guides a struggling wife in creating her own “war room” as a place to pray, reflect on scripture and give thanks. A War Binder is like having an entire war room in one convenient place!
What’s Included in a War Binder?
You can include anything you like you in your War binder, including a Bible study plan, sermon notes, scripture writing, a monthly verse calendar, daily devotionals, some favorite quotes, etc. You’ll find that you enjoy looking for inspiration to add to your binder. If you need ideas to get started, be sure to check out Pinterest.
Here are some sections you may want to consider including in your war binder:
Prayers
Scripture
Gratitude
Sermon notes
Journal
Inspiration
Answered Prayers
Testimony
Reflection
Growth Areas
Bible Study
Trackers – prayer, tithing, etc.
photos
drawings
printables
Some Tips for Creating Your Own War Binder:
When setting up a War Binder, begin with a few simple supplies for example: small 3 ring binder, faith based stickers and washi tape. (I use a Happy Planner because they are beautiful and sooo much easier to get paper in and out.)
Remember that this is YOUR personal war binder. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It is for recording praise, worship, prayer and gratitude. It is for YOUR personal walk with God.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or even cost money. Use supplies you already have on hand. If you only have loose leaf paper or a composition notebook, guess what? That’s perfect! It doesn’t even have to be “creative.”
