Daily Devotional

How Will I Engage With Those Scriptures?

What is your favorite way to engage with Scripture? Maybe you love to journal your thoughts and questions as you read. Maybe you enjoy writing down a verse many times to help with memorization. Or perhaps, you haven’t quite found a way to engage with God’s Word yet.

A relieving truth is, there is no perfect way to spend time with God. And as you consistently seek His presence, He’ll inspire you to move beyond simply reading His Word, but deeply engaging with it. 

The S.O.A.P. method is a simple, yet profound tool for growing in your time with God—and it continues to grow with you. Today, take a moment to choose one of the verses below and engage with it through the S.O.A.P. method:

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” — Luke 11:28

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. — Hebrews 4:12

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. — James 1:22-24

Scripture: Write the verse in your journal. Read it a few times and consider reading it in more than one translation. What words or phrases stand out?

Observation: Now, take time to understand what the verse truly means. 

• What is the genre? 
• Who is the author?
• Who is the original audience?
• What was the author’s objective?
• What happened immediately before and after this verse?
• Why is this significant? 

Application: Next, reflect: How can I apply this to my life?

Prayer: Today, pray that God would continue to meet you as you seek His presence. 

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word and the gift of Your presence. I pray that as I continue to engage with Your Word that You would give me the wisdom to put it into practice. I want to do more than hear Your Word, I want to live out Your Word every day of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.