What is S.O.A.P. Journaling?
S.O.A.P. is a powerful Bible study method that helps you go beyond just reading scripture to truly understanding and applying God’s Word to your life.S - Scripture
Write out the verse or passage that stands out to you.
O - Observation
What do you notice? What is the context? Who is speaking?
A - Application
How does this apply to your life today? What action should you take?
P - Prayer
Respond to God based on what you’ve learned.
Creating a Journal Entry
1
Select a Scripture
While reading the Bible, tap a verse and select Create S.O.A.P. Entry, or go to Journal and tap New Entry.
2
Write the Scripture
Copy or type the verse(s) you’re studying. Writing it out helps you engage more deeply.
3
Record Your Observation
Write what you notice about the passage:
- Historical context
- Key words or phrases
- Who, what, when, where, why
- Connections to other scriptures
4
Identify Application
Ask yourself:
- What does God want me to learn?
- Is there a command to obey?
- Is there a promise to claim?
- Is there a sin to avoid?
- How should this change my behavior?
5
Write Your Prayer
Talk to God about what you’ve learned. Thank Him, ask for help to apply it, or intercede for others.
AI-Powered Insights
SoapBox enhances your study with AI assistance:Get Context
Tap Get Insights to receive:- Historical background
- Original language meanings
- Cultural context
- Related passages
Deeper Questions
AI suggests reflection questions to help you dig deeper into the text.Application Ideas
Receive practical suggestions for applying the scripture to your daily life.AI insights are tools to enhance your study, not replace the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Always test insights against the full counsel of scripture.
Journal Features
Rich Text Editor
- Format your entries with bold, italic, and lists
- Add headings to organize thoughts
- Include block quotes for scripture
Verse Linking
Automatically link scripture references so you can tap to read the full passage.Tags
Add tags to categorize entries:- Topics (faith, love, forgiveness)
- Books of the Bible
- Personal themes
- Church series
Favorites
Star entries you want to revisit easily.Viewing Your Journal
Journal History
Access all past entries from the Journal tab:- Sort by date, book, or tag
- Search your entries
- Filter by date range
Calendar View
See which days you’ve journaled with the calendar view. Build a streak!Statistics
Track your journaling habits:- Total entries
- Current streak
- Books studied
- Most used tags
Sharing Options
Private by Default
All journal entries are private unless you choose to share them.Share with Groups
Share insights with your small group:- Open an entry
- Tap Share
- Select your small group
- Add a message (optional)
Public Sharing
Inspire others by sharing to the community feed:- Open an entry
- Tap Share to Community
- Your entry appears on the church feed
Export Your Journal
Keep a backup or print your journal:Export Options
- PDF - Formatted document for printing
- Text - Plain text file
- All Entries - Complete journal archive
How to Export
- Go to Journal > Settings
- Select Export Journal
- Choose format and date range
- Download or share the file
Tips for Effective Journaling
Be Consistent
Be Consistent
Journal at the same time each day. Even a short entry is better than none.
Be Honest
Be Honest
Your journal is a conversation with God. Be real about your struggles and questions.
Be Specific
Be Specific
Vague applications rarely lead to change. Write specific, actionable steps.
Review Regularly
Review Regularly
Look back at past entries to see how God has been working in your life.
Don't Rush
Don't Rush
Quality over quantity. One thoughtful entry is better than rushing through multiple.
Example Entry
Here’s what a S.O.A.P. entry might look like:Sample Entry: Philippians 4:6-7
Sample Entry: Philippians 4:6-7
Scripture:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Observation:
Paul writes this while in prison! He’s not writing from comfort but from chains. He says “do not be anxious about ANYTHING” - that’s comprehensive. The antidote to anxiety is prayer WITH thanksgiving. The result is peace that “guards” (military term) our hearts and minds.Application:
I’ve been anxious about the job situation. Instead of worrying, I need to:
- Bring it to God specifically in prayer
- Thank Him for what He’s already done
- Trust His peace to guard my thoughts