Loose Your Purpose!

Have you ever considered a piece of abstract artwork and indelibly questioned its meaning? What message or feeling is the artist conveying, and did you miss it? Which style of abstract art is being implemented: Expressionism, Cubism, Geometric Abstract, etc? Do all of the consumers understand it? Or, I chuckle to imagine, am I the only one boldly admiring the color scheme or symphony of shapes, and still yet pondering the artist’s true intentions?

I endeavor to exercise this moment as the perfect segue into my thoughts of how I study the anointed Word of God to obtain a greater understanding and apply it to my life. Through the years whenever I have been drawn to the Word of God, I have struggled with knowing where to begin reading as I am certain that I am not alone! Family members and religious advisors inherently have directed me to the Our Father’s Prayer found in Psalm 23. I would agree that this is an excellent foundational scripture which encompasses universal God-ordained precepts, covenants, and decrees; but what would be my next step? 

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) instructs:

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

Burdened with this goal, I soon discovered a practical and functional approach to studying the bible known as the S. O. A. P.  Bible Study Method. The S. O. A. P. Method is an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Here is a brief breakdown:

Scripture: You select a verse, a prayer, or passage from the Bible. Take a moment to read, to understand, and to glean the meaning and the scope of the Word. Breathe. Settle your thoughts. Take notes to reference later or to delve deeper as you are being led by the Holy Spirit.

Observation: Consider what is being revealed in the passage. 

• Who are the main characters? 
• What events are unfolding? 
• When did this occur? 
• Where is this happening? 
• Why would any of it matter with my new understanding, seeing, and hearing God through the passages?

Now, the fun begins for the believer in discovery!

Application of the Word of God: 

• Can I see myself in this passage of the Word of God?
• What prophetic truth is being revealed to me?
• What are my areas of conviction, need, or opportunity?
• How should my priorities be adjusted that would be acceptable in God’s sight?
• What about my values, beliefs, attitude, and character should be changed or nurtured under the Blood of Jesus?
• Who is God calling me to become unto Him?

Prayer:  Well, actually this step should occur prior to reading and after reading the Word to adjust our spiritual receptors and prepare for ingestion. Each time prior to reading the Bible you may read a prayer such as Nehemiah 1: 5-7.  I encourage you to grab your Study Bible now and to read Nehemiah’s plea to God or to simply beseech the Lord from your heart as in my example below:

“Father God in heaven, I stand before You with an open mind, a yearning heart, and a seeking soul to receive prophetic insight into Your Word in the Matchless Name of Jesus! Remove the scales from my eyes to see! Open my ears to hear for greater understanding! Touch my tongue in the Name of Jesus that the words of my mouth are acceptable unto You, Dear Lord! In Proverbs 25:2 (KJV) Your Word says:  “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”  And in agreement with Your Word, allow Your Word to wash over me to the renewing of my mind and the infilling of my soul in Jesus’s Name!

Amen!“

The beauty of the S. O. A. P. Bible Study Method is that it is simple, requires less than 15 minutes of your day, encourages consistency, and the maturing implementation of your own perspective through praying for greater understanding. Let’s begin today to continuously seek God through scripture and prayer!

Respectfully in Love,

Tammy Boone Williams

12/13/2024