01. If You Cannot Feed Yourself, How Will You Feed a Disciple?

By International African Mobilization | September 18, 2026

02. If You Cannot Feed Yourself, How Will You Feed a Disciple?

Matthew 4:4; James 1:22

Many Christians have listened to sermons for years but still do not know how to open the Bible, hear from God, and obey what He says.

They depend on a pastor, teacher, devotional book, podcast, or Bible study leader to prepare every spiritual meal for them.

There is nothing wrong with learning from gifted teachers. God gives teachers to equip His people.

But if you can only receive spiritual nourishment when someone else prepares it for you, how will you feed a new disciple?

And how will that disciple ever learn to feed someone else?

Disciples Must Learn to Feed Themselves

Jesus said:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.”

Matthew 4:4 WEB

Physical children eventually learn to feed themselves. Spiritual children must learn the same thing.

Our goal is not to make disciples permanently dependent upon us. Our goal is to teach them how to listen to God through His Word, obey what He teaches them, and help others do the same.

One simple tool for doing that is SOAPS Bible reading.

What Is SOAPS?

SOAPS is a simple, reproducible way to read and respond to Scripture.

S, Scripture

Read a passage slowly. Write down the verse or verses that capture your attention.

Do not rush. Ask God to help you notice what He wants to show you.

O, Observation

Write what you observe in the passage.

What does it reveal about God?

What does it reveal about people?

Is there a command to obey, a promise to trust, an example to follow, or a warning to take seriously?

Begin with what the passage actually says, not what you want it to say.

A, Application

“What must change in my life because of what I have read?”

Application must become specific obedience.

“Love people more” is vague.

“I will call the person I have refused to forgive and ask to meet with them” is specific.

James warns us:

“But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.”

James 1:22 WEB

Bible reading is incomplete until it leads to obedience.

P, Prayer

Turn what God showed you into a prayer.

Thank Him for the truth He revealed. Confess where you have disobeyed. Ask for courage and strength to put His Word into practice.

Prayer moves Scripture from the page into our relationship with God.

S, Share

“Who needs to hear what God showed me?”

Share the verse, your observation, and what you intend to obey.

You do not need to preach a sermon. Simply tell someone:

“I was reading the Bible today, and this is what God showed me.”

When disciples immediately share what they are learning, the truth begins moving from one life to another.

SOAPS Changes the Goal of Bible Reading

The goal is not merely to finish a chapter.

The goal is to hear God, obey God, and help someone else do the same.

SOAPS teaches a disciple to approach Scripture with five expectations:

God wants to speak through His Word.

I can understand what He is showing me.

I must respond with obedience.

I need His help to obey.

What I receive is meant to be shared.

This is how ordinary believers become self-feeding disciples, and how self-feeding disciples begin making other disciples.

A Tool Must Be Used

Putting a tool into your pouch accomplishes nothing if you never take it out.

Do not merely read about SOAPS today. Practice it.

Choose a short passage from Scripture. Work through each letter. Write down your response, identify one action of obedience, and share what you learned with another person.

Then teach that person how to complete a SOAPS of their own.

That is how a simple Bible-reading tool can begin multiplying from one disciple to another.