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Using the SOAP Method for Sermon Preparation

By Tom Galland

The SOAP method is one of the simplest and most effective frameworks for studying the Bible. It was developed by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii. While it is often used for personal devotion, it translates naturally into sermon preparation.

SOAP stands for:

  • S - Scripture: Read and write out the passage
  • O - Observation: What do you notice in the text?
  • A - Application: How does this apply to life today?
  • P - Prayer: Respond to God based on what you have read

    • It is not a rigid formula. It is a framework that keeps your study focused and devotional at the same time. For pastors, it bridges the gap between personal Bible study and public proclamation.

    Why SOAP Works for Sermon Prep

    Many pastors struggle with sermon preparation becoming purely academic. You study the Greek, read the commentaries, analyze the structure, and somewhere along the way, the passage stops speaking to you personally. You know what it means, but it has not moved you.

    SOAP prevents that. The Prayer step ensures that you are not just studying the Bible. You are encountering God in it. And a sermon that comes from personal encounter carries a different weight than one that comes from intellectual analysis alone.

    As John Stott wrote in Between Two Worlds (Eerdmans): "The secret of preaching is not mastering certain techniques but being mastered by certain convictions."

    Step 1: Scripture

    Start by reading your preaching passage slowly and carefully. Read it in at least three translations:

  • A formal equivalence translation like the ESV or NASB for accuracy
  • A dynamic equivalence translation like the NIV for readability
  • A paraphrase like The Message by Eugene Peterson for fresh perspective

    • Then write out the passage by hand or type it into your notes. This forces you to slow down and pay attention to every word. You will notice things you miss when you just skim.

    If you are using Logos Bible Software, you can pull up parallel translations side by side. If you prefer free tools, Blue Letter Bible offers interlinear views, original language tools, and multiple translations.

    Step 2: Observation

    This is where you dig into the text. Spend the most time here. Ask questions like:

    Context questions:

  • Who wrote this? To whom? When? Why?
  • What comes before and after this passage?
  • What is the larger argument or narrative?

    • Text questions:

  • Are there any repeated words or phrases?
  • What verbs are used? Are they commands, promises, or descriptions?
  • Are there any contrasts or comparisons?
  • What does this passage reveal about God's character?
  • What does it reveal about human nature?

    • Cross-reference questions:

  • Where else in Scripture is this idea found?
  • Does the New Testament quote or allude to this Old Testament passage (or vice versa)?
  • How does this passage connect to the gospel?

    • Write down everything you observe. Do not filter yourself at this stage. You are gathering raw material.

    This is also where commentaries become helpful. Good accessible commentaries for pastors include:

  • The Bible Speaks Today series (IVP) for pastoral warmth
  • The NIV Application Commentary for bridging ancient context and modern application
  • The Pillar New Testament Commentary for scholarly depth that remains readable

    • Always start with your own observations before consulting commentaries. Let the text speak to you first.

    Step 3: Application

    Now ask: what does this mean for my congregation? How does this truth apply to their lives this week?

    Good application is specific, not vague. Consider different people in your congregation:

  • The new believer who is still learning the basics of faith
  • The long-time Christian who has heard it all before and needs to hear it fresh
  • The person in suffering who needs comfort and hope
  • The person in sin who needs gentle but honest confrontation
  • The skeptic who wandered in and is not sure what they believe
  • The parent who is exhausted and wondering if they are doing it right
  • The young adult navigating career, relationships, and identity

    • Your sermon should have something for each of them. Not all in equal measure, but enough that no one feels invisible.

    The difference between weak and strong application:

  • Weak: "We should trust God more."
  • Strong: "When you get that medical report this week and fear takes over, remember that the same God who sustained Paul in a Roman prison is sustaining you in that waiting room."

    • Step 4: Prayer

    Before you finalize your outline, pray over what you have studied. This is not a formality. It is essential.

    Ask God to:

  • Confirm the main idea He wants you to preach
  • Give you wisdom in how to communicate it
  • Prepare the hearts of your congregation to receive it
  • Keep your ego out of the pulpit

    • Prayer should not just be the last step. It should be woven throughout your entire preparation process. Pray before you open the text. Pray when you get stuck. Pray when you think you are finished.

    Worked Example: Philippians 4:4-9

    Let me walk through the SOAP method with a specific passage.

    Scripture

    "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (ESV)

    Observation

  • Paul is writing from prison (Philippians 1:13-14). This is not a comfortable man telling comfortable people to be happy. This is a man in chains telling his friends to rejoice.
  • "Rejoice" is a command, not a suggestion. And he says it twice for emphasis.
  • "The Lord is at hand" could mean Christ's return is near, or that Christ is near (present with them). Both readings work.
  • The antidote to anxiety is not willpower. It is prayer "with thanksgiving." Gratitude reframes anxiety.
  • "The peace of God" is not the absence of problems. It is a peace that "surpasses understanding," meaning it does not make logical sense given the circumstances.
  • The list in verse 8 (true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable) is a filter for what we allow into our minds.
  • Verse 9: Paul says "practice these things." This is not just belief. It is behavior.

    • Application

  • For the anxious person: You do not have to white-knuckle your way to peace. Bring your anxiety to God in prayer, and let gratitude change the lens through which you see your situation.
  • For the person consumed by negative thinking: Paul gives you a filter. Before you dwell on something, ask: is it true? Is it honorable? Is it lovely? If not, redirect your mind.
  • For the person in a hard season: Paul wrote this from prison. If he can command rejoicing from a cell, your circumstances do not disqualify you from joy.

    • Prayer

    "God, I am anxious about [specific thing]. I bring it to you now, with thanksgiving for [specific blessing]. Guard my heart and mind with your peace. Help me think about what is true, not what I fear. Amen."

    From SOAP to Sermon Outline

    Once you have completed the SOAP process, you have the raw material for your sermon:

    1. Main idea (from Application): "God's antidote to anxiety is not willpower but prayer with thanksgiving."

    2. Introduction (from Observation): Paul wrote this from prison. This is not comfortable advice from a comfortable man.

    3. Point 1: Rejoice is a command, not a feeling (v.4)

    4. Point 2: The antidote to anxiety is prayer with thanksgiving (v.6-7)

    5. Point 3: Guard your mind by choosing what you think about (v.8-9)

    6. Conclusion: You do not have to figure this out alone. Bring it to God. He will guard your heart.

    Tools That Support This Workflow

    The SOAP method pairs well with digital tools that let you organize your notes and share them easily. Preach Notes is designed for pastors who want a simple, focused place to build sermon outlines and publish them to their congregation. Church Notes gives your congregation a place to engage with the sermon on their own.

    Whether you are a seasoned preacher or just getting started, the SOAP method gives you a reliable framework that keeps your sermons grounded, practical, and Christ-centered.

    Ready to simplify your sermon prep?

    Preach Notes is built for pastors who want to write better sermons and share them with their congregation.