S.O.A.P.S. Collab: How Constructive Is Criticism?

 

Good evening, Friends! I have decided to join a collaboration hosted by Ingrid over at her YouTube channel, Listening Beyond the Words. Please go check her out! She has great videos to help you dig in to God's Word. This year, she started her S.O.A.P.S. series, which is the collaboration I'm jumping in on. At the end of this post will be a link to the playlist for this series, so you can go check out past studies, and others that are joining this collab as well.

Some of you may have heard of the S.O.A.P. method of Bible study. Here, an S has been added to the end. So we have Scripture (the verse or section of scripture you're studying), Observation (your own observations about that section of scripture), Application (how you can apply the scripture and what you learned about it), Prayer (your prayer to God), Surrender (something that you have prayerfully chosen to surrender to the Lord). This is a way to take a section or verse of scripture and study it. Each part of S.O.A.P.S. is written down in a journal. Follow along with me as I go through this week's scripture, and you will see how it works.

S

Scripture

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

O

Observation

Believers are to comfort and edify one another. The meaning of comfort, I think, is pretty obvious. But what exactly does "edify" mean? The meaning I found on the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary says, "to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; uplift also; enlighten, inform."

So, we are to instruct and inform one another to help each other improve in our faith! But, it says, "uplift also." We are not to be mean or rude to others while we are enlightening them. We are to uplift them at the same time we are trying to help them improve. And, we are to give comfort.

A

Application

I think for many of us Christians, it can be difficult to find this balance. It can go one of two ways. We can be quick to point out when we see sin or something wrong. On the other hand, we sometimes remain quiet when we see sin or something wrong, because we don't want to offend.

In this verse, I think "comfort" comes first for a reason. Who are we most likely to comfort (or be comforted by)? People we already have a relationship with! Now, there are times, through social media for instance, that we may try to comfort strangers or acquaintances with our words and prayers. But, tangible comfort? When we comfort with words of love, hugs, crying together, etc. Those are going to be the people we know really well and have already established a relationship with.

And that's where edifying can then come in. Now, if I'm doing something wrong, I totally expect those who love me to call me out, and to support improvement in my life. But, think about it! How different is your reaction going to be if your best friend (who you know loves you) calls you out on something, versus an acquaintance who you see once a month?

Keep in mind, just because you're best friends with someone, doesn't give you leave to be mean or rude about it, either! Remember? "Uplifting also." I think the better you know someone, the better you will be able to find balance in your words of edification to them. You know them well enough to know how to talk to them.

Now, I do think there is a time to call out a person or a group of people you don't know well. The prophets and the disciples of Jesus did this all the time! But, I believe it needs to be done with careful, prayerful consideration.

P

Prayer

This is where you would write out your prayer to God. I did this in my journal, but I'm choosing not to share it here, as it's between myself and God. ☺️

S

Surrender

Finally, this is where you would write what you want to surrender to God. This can also be quite personal, so again, I'm choosing not to share it here.

That's it!

I really enjoyed using this method of study. I had heard of the S.O.A.P. method before, but this was my first time actually using it. As I move forward in my Proverbs study, I'm going to be using S.O.A.P.S. However, I may set that aside for a time as I join this S.O.A.P.S. study.

And as promised, here's the playlist. This includes all the studies that have been done in this series so far, as well as others that have joined in this collaboration.