1. S - Scripture

Write down the verse or verses that you are studying. It will help you better focus and retain the information. For someone like me that has a limited attention span, writing the verses down helps me focus on the words better. Also, if I do not have my Bible with me at a given time, at least I will have had the verses written down so I can still read it without having to search for where I last put down my bible.

O - Observation

Examine the texts and write down what you notice. This is where you ask questions regarding what the passage is about. What jumps out to you? Who is it written by? Who is it written to? What is something you notice now that you did not notice before? What is intriguing or unusual? Is there any repetition, comparison, and contrast?

I personally use bullets to write my observations, but there is no "set" way to note your observations in the passage.

A - Application

The application is when it gets personal. This is when you think about how you can apply what you learned in your reading in your life. How can you apply God's word to your life in a practical way? What changes do you need to make? Is there something you need to confess?

P - Prayer

This is when you respond to God's Word with your own words. Pray about what you just read. Pray about anything that was revealed to you.