12-27-2020
12-27-2020
Brandon Weaver (Online English)
S.O.A.P.
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
1. Looking back over 2020, how has God’s Word helped you when you’ve felt depleted or discouraged in this challenging year?
2. Read Psalm 32:8: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
God wants to teach you the way to go, and He often does that through Scripture. Share about a time when you felt God gave you personal direction for your life while you were reading the Bible.
3. You can hear the voice of God through reading the Bible, but if you want this to happen, you have to be intentional and schedule this into your calendar. Think about your day tomorrow, and schedule a time when you could spend about 15 minutes reading the Bible and going through the SOAP acronym. Write this into your calendar now.
The SOAP acronym guides us through a simple process:
S = Scripture
As you read the entire Bible passage for the day, pay attention to whether a certain verse or phrase jumps out at you. Pick one thought or idea that you feel led to focus on that relates most to your life at the present. Take a blank page in a journal or notebook, and write that verse or phrase out next to the letter “S”. Trust that this is what God will use to instruct you and help you grow spiritually as you go through the next three steps.
4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible wasn’t just dropped out of heaven, yet Paul tells us it was “God breathed.” What does it mean that Scripture is “God-breathed”? How is the Bible different from other books?
O = Observation
Observe what’s being taught regarding the idea or verse that God led you to in the “S” step above. Write a few sentences regarding the who, what, when where, and why in the passage. We recommend the Bibleproject.com, which has helpful, free overview videos of each book of the Bible. Each time you start reading a new book of the Bible, begin with their video of that book to help you better understand it as you read.
5. Share something you recently observed as you read the Bible.
A = Application
Hold your life up to the Scripture. This is a time to focus on your own life, rather than thinking of how other people should be following God’s instructions better. Use words like “I,” “me,” and “my,” and consider…
· How am I doing with living out what I observed here?
· Is there anything I need to confess to God or to others?
· Are there changes I need to make in my life?
· Are there promises or encouraging ideas that God wants me to accept and rest in?
· What is God saying to me personally?
6. Read James 1:22-25: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
What is James’ point here?
7. Community of Hope’s fountain at our West Campus entrance has this verse on it. Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tell about a time when another Christian’s hope overflowed into your life and helped you get through a difficult season.
P = Prayer
Close out your journal entry by writing out a simple prayer asking God to help you incorporate what you just learned into your daily life. Respond to God in whatever ways He leads you – asking for His help, or expressing your love and gratitude to him.
8. Studies show that it’s possible to form a new habit by doing something consistently for at least 21 days. Join your church in doing this with our “Journey Through John” 24-day reading plan, designed to help new Bible readers learn how to read and understand Scripture using the SOAP acronym. Go to the YouVersion app “Find Plans” and search for “Journey Through John” or use this link: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22757-journey-through-john. It might help you to do this with together friends. Check out that feature on the YouVersion app.
Ready for your next step?
If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
· New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “hello” to 561-264-6079.
· COH App: Be sure to download our app so you can stay connected with our church and get sermon notes, announcements and more!
· It’s not too late to give to our Annual Missions Offering! Support our missions partners and our outreach into our community and help us get the equipment and staff to better reach people through online teaching. For more information on our Missions Offering, go to https://communityofhope.church/missions-offering
· Get Your Life Back Sermon Series starts next week! If you feel like 2020 stole some of your life, join us next week for our new sermon series to see God’s plan for how to get your life back.
· Groups Launch Season: Experiencing community is more important now than ever. If you’re not in a small group yet, we want to help you find one where you can build friendships, grow spiritually, and care for each other. We’re offering some great topics as well as Bible study and support groups. Check out a list of available groups for 2021 and fill out a group request form at communityofhope.church/groups, and we’ll get you connected to a group that works for you.
· Our next Connections Class: This 4-week class is the best way to get more connected at COH and grow in your understanding of how to live the Christian life. If you wish, at the end of the four weeks, you can become a Community of Hope partner, which opens more opportunities for leadership and service. Our next Connections class series will be held on Sundays, from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at the West Campus (and simultaneously online) beginning January 17th. Register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
· Daniel Fast Group: This 5-week support group will support you as you participate in a 21-day fast, designed to help you draw near to God and give your body and soul a fresh start as you begin the new year. The Group will meet Sundays from 9–10:15am outdoors on the West Campus porch beginning January 3. Register at communityofhope.church/groups.
· Thank you for your financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to our community! To give to Community of Hope, go to https://communityofhope.church/give.