[featured_image]On my recent trip to India (December 2009) to train pastors of a church planting movement, each day every pastor spent time S.O.A.P. Journaling through a specific passage of Scripture. It was powerful to see them feeding themselves on God’s Word, and then sharing with one another what God was saying to them. After they shared what they intended to do in obedience to God’s Word, they prayed for each other.
It was amazing to see the ways that God was working! I love this simple method — to understand it more completely, you can read about it here: S.O.A.P. Journaling.
If you are reading God’s Word each day, but you’re not writing down what you’re learning from God as you read, S.O.A.P. Journaling is a great approach to help you capture what each passage means. Yet, even more important than writing down the things you are learning, write down how you intend to obey God’s Word. In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep My commandments.” And again in verse 23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” If we really love Jesus, we won’t just read His Word, we will obey His Word.
S.O.A.P. Journaling helps you to obey what God’s Word says.
After you’ve journaled, SHARE what you are learning and doing in response to God’s Word with someone else. You’ve spent time alone with God, then tell someone how you are living out what God’s Word says. This is a great way to reinforce how you intend to obey, as well as modeling time alone with God, and getting the support you need to live an obedient Christian life. Sharing with others is the key that makes this such a practical and reproducible model.
S.O.A.P. and Share – it’s simple and practical, and easily transferable. You can show someone how to do it in just a few minutes. You can even draw it on a napkin — anything you can draw on a napkin is easily transferable. It’s so simple that the newest believer can start doing it right away. That’s one of they keys to multiplying disciples, groups, and churches.
I’m committed to feeding on God’s Word and sharing it with others. Are you?
What’s your simple method of feeding yourself spiritually?
How are you sharing with others what you are learning from God’s Word?
