Below is an example of how SOAP works. Your version and the way you write is likely to be TOTALLY DIFFERENT! That is the point. This is something that is personal and that is specifcially for you. The following example may be much more involved than you might be initially, or it may be far less than what you find yourself writing. For me, I find that some days I write more or less than others. What you need to know is that God is at work in your engagement of the Scripture. Approach it prayerfully and with an open heart and see what God does. Below is an actual entry from my personal journal. I am sharing it with you as an example. These are my thoughts as I pondered the designated verse of Scripture. I hope it helps!
—Bill Gibson, lead pastor, FaithWalk

S.O.A.P. Example:

S — Scripture:
"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NLT)

O — Observation:
"What does it mean to 'act justly?' Does it mean 'right,' as evidence of righteousness? Too often I think we look at these 'justice' directives and misunderstand them, as if to apply them to the lives of others. What I mean is that we might point to this as evidence that others should and are demanded to walk justly, avoiding our own walk. I am reminded of Peter walking with Jesus after breakfast on the beach. And after Jesus puts His finger on something personal in Peter's life, instead of yielding to God, Peter tries misdirection. He turns, points to John, and says, 'What about him?' to which Jesus replies, 'What is that to you? You follow me.' (John 21). I think sometimes we read verses like this one in Micah and immediately want to apply it to the lives of others instead of our own life — like Peter — try a complete misdirect. But the reference in Micah, to 'act justly' is an answer to the question, 'What does the Lord require of you?' The key word being YOU. And when we love something doesn't it begin to consume us and identify us? When I got married and said that I love Traci, doesn't Traci become a part of who I am and begin to consume my thoughts and my action and direction? So if we 'love mercy' doesn't that mean evidence of this love of mercy would then come to be an identifying mark in our life and that mercy would flow from us? And to walk humbly with the Lord would mean empty of 'self,' — all that defined me — in order to give God all of me. It does not mean that I lose all that I have, like my love for Traci and life itself, but instead means that I trust God completely with all those things — every ounce of me. 'Justice without mercy is harshly legalistic and even cruel. Mercy without justice sacrifices fairness on the altar of sentimentality and insignificance.' Is God just or is God kind? God is both. Humility is to imitate and respond to God's divine love, which is both justice and mercy. It is not our demands that release others from sin. It is our witness or how we have allowed God to transform us that releases others from sin. The Apostle Paul reminds me in 1 Corinthians 13 that Love is often all the things we are not. He writes, 'Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustices but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (v. 4-7) Paul gives us a written account of evidence of God's love. I also read in 1 John 4 that 'God is love.' Is this kind of love in me? Is it evidenced in my life, thoughts, actions, desires, and hopes?"

A — Application:
"How can these considerations be lived out in my life? God requires something of me, but what? All the things Micah lists out are things that originate from God, by His grace. So in order to apply these required things I first have to yield to God and offer God my entire being and receive that which I cannot create on my own. I cannot create justice and mercy that is rooted in love because I cannot create love. My love for Traci did not originate in me or in Traci but through God alone. To receive is to walk humbly with God with no concern for my future or the future of others, but instead to trust God completely with those futures — my future and the future of others. I cannot carry the burden of the world on my shoulder. That is Christ's work. This means that I can actually do nothing but bow to God and trust in God completely. That is humility. That is what that looks like. That is impossible! From my perspective, yes it is. But through God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26). I must offer God me. I can't offer God anyone else. I must and can only offer God myself. If I seek justice for myself can I understand when others extend mercy to those who have hurt me? Can I myself show mercy? If I am merciful to others can I understand why those who have been hurt think I have no concern for fairness? Since God alone knows in what proportions justice and mercy must be mixed in any given instance or situation, can I learn that walking humbly with God not only means that I seek to emulate God, but it also means that I cannot fully do this, since God alone is the righteous Judge. How do I, in my own desire and aspirations strive to walk humbly and emulate God and at the same time confront my own limitations of understanding and love in action? How does all this relate to Christian teaching about forgiving others in love, as a loving God has forgiven me? Or, to extend the Hand that was first extended to me?"

P — Prayer:
"God my prayer this morning is that you would help me make an offering of myself to you. Give me the strength I need to walk closer to you. It is only by Your grace, mercy, and love that I am able to be in your presence. Teach me all of that which I do not know and understand. Teach me humility, patience, and how to love everyone into the kingdom. Recreate me. Sanctify me and make me holy. Perfect me in Your love. Show me what it means to act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You God. In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen."

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