A Modern Guide to Reading the Bible: 2 Practical Methods to Deepen Your Faith Part 1

Feb 21

Discover two practical and modern methods to read the Bible with ease. Strengthen your faith and gain deeper spiritual insights with this essential guide. This is Part 1!

Photo: @livforhimm

As the year started, we were all energized with resolutions—promises to hit the gym, eat healthier, or learn something new. But what about those of us who resolved to spend more time with God, to listen for His voice, or simply to know Him more deeply? Now that we’re in February, how are you doing with that resolution? Is it still burning strong, or has the spark started to fade?

It’s easy for even the most thoughtful resolutions to slip away. But what if this year, you could keep that promise and see it transform your spiritual life? Spending time with God doesn’t have to feel like a chore, it can be a life-changing journey that shapes you from the inside out. Spiritual resolutions aren’t just about attending church more or checking off Bible reading plans. They’re about reshaping our entire approach to life, guiding us to make decisions rooted in faith, and allowing God’s Word to influence every aspect of who we are. When we commit to growing spiritually, it affects our relationships, our work, our mindset, and our whole lives. We don’t just want to know about God; we want to know Him—to live with His wisdom, His peace, and His strength in every situation.

Psalm 119:9 asks, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word." This isn't just about purity; it’s about living fully, walking in truth, and becoming who we’re meant to be. To do that, we need to understand God’s Word. And to understand it, we need the right approach.

Reading the Bible doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key to spiritual growth is finding the method that works best for you. Some people thrive on structure, while others prefer the freedom of traditional approaches. Regardless of which route you take, the goal is to engage with God’s Word in a way that fosters growth and transformation.

5 Structured Methods (Acronym-Based)

Structured methods, particularly those that use acronyms, provide a clear, easy-to-follow path to Bible study. These approaches are perfect for those who appreciate order and direction in their spiritual practices. By breaking down the process into specific steps, these methods ensure that you don’t just read the Bible passively, but actively engage with it, reflect on its message, and apply it to your life. The beauty of these methods is that they can help create a routine, giving structure to your study while also encouraging personal growth.

1. SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer):

SOAP is one of the most popular acronym-based methods, and for good reason. It offers a balanced approach that guides you through reading, reflecting, and praying. By writing down the Scripture first, you give yourself a concrete starting point. Observation then helps you examine the passage deeply, noticing key details, themes, and lessons. The application step is where the real transformation happens—it challenges you to think about how the passage fits into your life today. Finally, prayer allows you to seal the lesson, asking God to help you apply what you’ve learned and to continue working in your life. What’s great about SOAP is that it encourages you to engage with Scripture from multiple angles. Whether you’re looking for comfort, wisdom, or challenge, SOAP allows you to approach every passage with intentionality. It’s flexible, adaptable, and can be used with any Bible passage, making it a great choice for anyone wanting a structured yet personalised approach to Bible study.

2. ACT (Ask, Chapter, Think):

ACT is a streamlined method that keeps things simple while still encouraging deep reflection. This method is perfect for those who prefer a less complex process but still want to ensure they’re engaging with the Bible in a thoughtful way. You start by asking God for insight—inviting Him to speak to you through the text. Then, you read a chapter, which helps provide context and depth to the passage. The final step, think, asks you to reflect deeply on what you’ve read and how it connects to your life. While ACT is more straightforward than SOAP, it’s still a powerful tool for cultivating spiritual growth. The simplicity of the method makes it ideal for daily use, especially for those who want to stay consistent with their Bible reading without feeling overwhelmed by complexity.

3. PRESS (Pray, Read, Examine, Summarise, Share):

PRESS takes the idea of reflection and application even further by incorporating community and sharing. It’s great for those who enjoy discussing Scripture with others or who want to process what they’ve learned in a group setting. The method starts with prayer, asking God to open your heart to the passage. After reading, you examine the text, diving into the meaning behind the words and the deeper lessons. The summarised step ensures you capture the core message of the passage, and sharing gives you an opportunity to talk about what you’ve learned with others—whether in a Bible study, a small group, or even in a personal journal. PRESS is ideal for those who enjoy a more social approach to Bible study, or who want to integrate accountability into their spiritual practice. The sharing aspect can also deepen your understanding, as hearing others' perspectives often sheds new light on the text.

4. PRAISE (Prayer, Read, Analyse, Illustrate, Summarise, Express):

PRAISE is unique in that it integrates worship and personal reflection into the study process. This method is great for those who want to approach Bible reading with an attitude of praise and adoration toward God. Like PRESS, PRAISE begins with prayer, but it then moves into reading the passage with a focus on God’s character. After reading, you analyse the text, looking for deeper meanings or lessons. The illustrated step invites you to imagine the passage in a personal way—how can you visualize the message of the text in your life? The summarised step ensures that the core lesson is captured, and finally, express encourages you to share your thoughts in a way that reflects your praise, either through worship, prayer, or journaling. PRAISE is particularly powerful for those who want to connect more emotionally and spiritually with the Bible, making it a great method for those seeking a deeper, more transformative experience with God’s Word.

5. WORD (Write, Observe, Reflect, Do):

WORD is an action-oriented method that emphasises not just reading the Bible, but actively living it out. Each step encourages you to engage with the text in a way that leads to action. First, you write the Scripture down to focus your attention. Observe the passage, noting important details, themes, and insights. The reflected step helps you think about how the passage applies to your life, and finally, the do step challenges you to take concrete action based on what you’ve learned. Whether it’s a change in attitude, behavior, or decision-making, WORD helps you ensure that your Bible study doesn’t remain just theoretical but leads to real-life transformation. This method is ideal for anyone looking to not only learn from the Bible but actively incorporate its teachings into their daily life.

Why These Methods Work

What’s great about these structured methods is that they provide a clear, repeatable process that helps you engage with the Bible more deeply. They are perfect for those who enjoy having a set routine in their spiritual practice. Each method is designed to ensure that you’re not just reading Scripture but actively reflecting on it, applying it to your life, and praying for God’s guidance. This structured approach gives you a sense of direction and purpose, so you can make the most of your time in the Word.

These methods also work well for people who want consistency in their Bible study. With a set process like SOAP or ACT, it’s easier to make Bible reading a daily habit. You don’t have to overthink what to do next—you simply follow the steps and let the method guide you.

Even though these methods are structured, they’re flexible enough to fit your personal spiritual needs. For example, you might find that SOAP works best when you have a lot of time for reflection, but ACT is great for a busy day when you just need to spend a few minutes with God. The methods are adaptable, so you can adjust them based on your schedule or where you are in your spiritual journey.

Another benefit is that these methods promote intentionality. They keep you from rushing through Scripture and encourage you to slow down, reflect, and engage with the text in a meaningful way. You’re not just reading to finish a chapter—you’re reading to understand, apply, and grow.

Practical Guide: How To Apply These Methods

Here’s how you can use a few of these methods:

SOAP (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.”

Observation: This verse invites us to bring our anxieties to God, and in return, we receive His peace—something beyond our understanding.

Application: In overwhelming moments, I’m reminded to pause and pray. Instead of carrying my worries alone, I can surrender them to God, trusting that He will give me peace.

Prayer: “Lord, thank You for the peace that surpasses understanding. Help me to bring my worries to You and trust that You will guard my heart and mind.”

PRESS (1 Peter 5:7):

Pray: “God, open my heart to receive Your Word today. Teach me to live according to Your truth.”
Read: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Examine: The act of “casting” our anxieties reflects trust in God’s care. We surrender our worries because we believe He can handle them better than we can.
Summarise: God invites us to give Him our burdens, knowing He will care for us.
Share: How can you surrender your worries to God today? What are you holding onto?

PRAISE (Isaiah 40:29-31):

Prayer: “God, I come to You today seeking strength. Teach me to trust You more fully.”

Read: “He gives strength to the weary... but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Analyse: Even the strongest among us grow tired, but those who trust in God will be renewed.

Illustrate: Picture soaring like an eagle—God’s strength lifting us above life’s challenges.

Summarise: Trusting in God renews our strength, enabling us to keep moving forward.

Express: “Today, I will place my hope in God and trust that His strength will empower me.”

4 Traditional Approaches

While structured methods like SOAP and ACT offer a clear path, traditional approaches to Bible reading allow for a more flexible, organic interaction with Scripture. These methods can feel more personal and adaptive, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a deeper, more reflective connection with the Bible. Each of these methods provides a different lens through which you can explore God’s Word, and they can be customised to fit your spiritual needs and goals.

1. Topical Reading:

Topical reading is an approach that focuses on specific themes or issues, making it ideal for those who are dealing with particular life circumstances or questions. For instance, if you're struggling with anxiety, you can search for verses or passages that speak about peace or trust in God. This method allows you to see a topic from multiple angles, pulling from different parts of the Bible to get a fuller picture. Whether it’s hope, forgiveness, gratitude, or God’s love, topical reading helps you understand how these themes thread through Scripture. It’s an excellent way to find comfort, strength, and practical wisdom for your daily life. A great tool for topical study is a good concordance or Bible app that allows you to search for themes and words across the Bible.

2. Character Study:

Focusing on the lives of biblical figures helps us understand the human experience through God’s perspective. Characters like David, Esther, Moses, Ruth, or Paul provide rich examples of faith, perseverance, and the complexities of following God’s call. When you dive into a character study, you can explore their strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, and how God’s grace was evident in their lives. This method allows you to see that God doesn’t use perfect people—He uses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary purposes. By studying these figures, you can find relatable examples for your own journey and be inspired by their stories of faith. Some character studies focus on key moments in their lives, while others dive deeper into their entire life arc to see how they grew in their relationship with God.

3. Devotional Reading:

If you’re looking for something that’s both short and impactful, devotional reading is a fantastic option. This method typically involves reading a passage or short Scripture verse followed by a brief reflection or meditation. Devotionals are often centered around specific themes or life stages and are designed to encourage spiritual growth and personal reflection. Many devotional books or online resources also include prayers or questions to help you apply the message to your life. This method works well for people who may not have a lot of time but still want to connect with God daily. A consistent devotional practice helps you center your thoughts on spiritual matters, provides inspiration for your day, and nurtures a habit of regular reflection on God’s Word.

4. Chronological Reading:

For those who prefer to see the bigger picture of God’s story, chronological reading offers a timeline of events from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible isn’t always arranged in chronological order, so reading it in this way allows you to understand the sequence of historical events, God’s unfolding plan for salvation, and the way His promises and prophecies come to life over time. This method is particularly beneficial for people who enjoy history or want to understand the context behind certain passages. As you read through the Bible in this order, you’ll notice how the different parts of the Bible build upon one another. It’s like piecing together a puzzle—each book and passage contributes to the greater story of God’s work in the world.

Traditional methods are particularly effective because they encourage you to spend time reflecting, meditating, and understanding God’s Word at a deeper level. Rather than just reading through the Bible for information, you’re invited to engage with it thoughtfully, allowing it to shape your heart, mind, and actions. The beauty of these methods is that they provide flexibility while still offering structure to guide your exploration of Scripture.

The key to spiritual growth is all about consistency. Whether you choose a structured acronym or a traditional approach, the goal is to engage with God’s Word in a way that challenges you, shapes you, and empowers you. Don’t just read the Bible—let it wreck you in the best way possible. Let it stir your soul and set your life on fire.

Think of it like a relationship. You wouldn’t expect to truly know someone or build trust with them if you only communicated once in a while. You wouldn’t just scroll through their profile and assume you understand them. No, real connection takes time, attention, and conversation. The Bible is like God’s love letter to you; it’s the place where you get to know Him better, understand His heart, and grow closer. The more you engage with it, the deeper your relationship with Him grows. After all, God promises in Jeremiah 29:13, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Don’t just casually “read” God’s Word and claim you know him, date him. Get to know Him, talk to Him, let Him challenge you and draw you in closer. Because when you engage with His Word, you’re not just gathering knowledge but you’re building a deep, life-changing relationship.