welcome to bible resources
Whether you're just starting your faith journey or have been walking it for years, the Bible can be tough. It can be hard to jump into reading the Bible when you don't know how or where to start. We're here to help! We want to give you some great tools and resources to help you grow. If you ever get stuck or have questions, feel free to reach out to us via the chat in the corner of the screen or the email button below.
The internet is full of resources to help you engage the Bible. We wanted to give you a few to begin that journey. As you encounter the scriptures, take time to write down/journal what you're learning. It's a great way to stay engaged and see how you're growing.
bible study
download a bookmark
To give you a reminder of the breakdown of each book of the Bible, we have bookmarks of the Old and New Testaments to help give you a snapshot of what the Bible is all about.
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They are quirky. Our hope is that they peak your interest to start reading the Bible and encounter God, your heart, and Jesus in the process.
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Bookmarks originally found at forefront.org
Ways to Read the Bible
There are plenty of ways to engage the scriptures. Many enjoy using reading plans with specific passages to read daily. Another method that has been helpful to many is called S.O.A.P., which was designed by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro.
reading plans
s.o.a.p
For a free printable of this method, click here
SO... WHY S.O.A.P.?
It's one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it, suddenly words start popping off the page. By SOAPing your verses you are able to dig deeper into scripture and "see" more than if you simply read the verses and then went on your merry way. Let me encourage you to take the time to S.O.A.P. the daily verses and see for yourself how much more you get out of your daily reading...you'll be amazed.
WHAT DOES S.O.A.P. MEAN?
S - the S stands for Scripture - you physically write out the scripture. You'll be amazed at what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!
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O - the O stands for Observation - what do you see in the verses that you're reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?
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A - The A stands for Application - this is when God's Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take?
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P - And finally P stands for Prayer. Pray God's Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.
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Studying God's Word like this can take as little or as long as you have time to give. Some days it can take just 10 to 15 minutes, other days longer.
EXAMPLES OF S.O.A.P. IN ACTION
Bible Verses: Colossians 1:5-8
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S - The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
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O - (One great way to do this is to just bullet your observations...what you're seeing at first glance when looking at the verses)
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When you combine faith and love, you get home.
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We have to remember that our hope is in heaven...it is yet to come.
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The Bible is the word of truth.
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The good news of Jesus is continually bearing fruit and growing from the 1st day to the last.
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It just takes one person to change a whole community...Epaphras.
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A - Something that stood out was how God used one man, Epaphras, to change a whole town! It's a reminder that we are simply called to tell others about Christ...it's God's job to change people...to grow it and have it bear fruit. ​Read it as though the verses were almost directly spoken to you as well as to Hilmar Covenant... "all over the world this good news of Jesus is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard about it and understood God's grace in all its truth." Isn't it cool when God's Word becomes so alive and speaks directly where we are at?!!
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P - Dear Lord, please help me to be an "Epaphras"...to tell others about you and then leave the results in your hands. Please help me to understand and apply what I have read today to my life personally, becoming more and more like you each day. Help me to live a life that bears the "fruit" of faith and love...anchoring my hope in heaven, not here on earth. Help me to remember that the BEST is yet to come!
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The most important ingredients in the S.O.A.P. method is YOUR interaction with God's Word and your APPLICATION of His Word for YOUR life.