Day 23: One Last Model

S.W.A.P

Our time is quickly drawing to a close. We have time for one more model, and then a few days of closing thoughts and reflections as you round out 30 days of exploring scripture.

Today's model is in some ways a combination of the first two. It has elements of focused study but also creates space to pause, reflect, and pray. It is also an acronym, so depending on how you feel about those, you might be super excited already! I was introduced to this model and really used it for the first time because of Bob Johnson.

Bob’s approach is a slight adaptation of Pastor Wayne Cordeiro's creation of the Bible study method S.O.A.P. (Study, Observation, Application, Prayer). Bob switched out the 'O' for a 'W' and introduced me to S.W.A.P. I’ll be honest... I don’t fall into the category of those excited by acronyms, but if we are going to use one, let's use one that makes some sense.

Bob uses S.W.A.P because his theological claim is that one of the reasons we read scripture is to become more like the people God has created us to be. One of the ways we do that is by 'S.W.A.P.-ing' one way of life for a better one. He anchors this claim on the passage around the fruits of the spirit. As we open ourselves up to scripture, we in turn allow the spirit to work inside of us, healing, redeeming, maturing, perfecting us. We are swapping out our old lives of indifference, discouragement, discord, frustration, thoughtlessness, selfishness, apathy, hard-heartedness, and rashness for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!

So what is this approach? (The following is from a handout bob uses when he teaches this method)

S – SCRIPTURE

Open your Bible and read a scripture passage. It can be the reading for the upcoming or last week’s sermon, a reading from a scripture schedule, a devotional guide, or one you find some other way. Take your time reading it, listening for something God may be speaking to you. What verse, word, phrase, or thought seems to stand out to you? Write that verse, word, phrase, or thought down.

W – WHAT DOES IT MEAN? & WHAT CAN I OBEY?

What do you hear God saying to you through this scripture? You may want to consult a trusted commentary or the notes in your Bible to hear the passage in its historical context. What it says to you now cannot be opposed to what it said when it was written. But after discerning the text’s meaning, you’re not done yet with “what!”

Eugene Peterson, author of “The Message” Bible, says, “The MOST IMPORTANT question we ask of this text is not, ‘What does this mean?’ but ‘What can I obey?’” Identify what you hear the scripture calling you to obey or live into more deeply.

For both “What” questions, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. It often helps to mark up your Bible and to paraphrase and write this Scripture down.

A – APPLY 

Now, personalize what you have read. How does this passage and its meaning apply to your life right now? How will you respond to its call to obey? How will you live more deeply into the truth you discern? After reading and listening to the scripture, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and begin to contemplate the implications for your life. Boldly ask, “What is the Spirit of God speaking to me in this present moment?” You may want to pray 1 Samuel 3:10:

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”

You may hear a word of comfort, encouragement, direction, correction, admonishment, or wisdom. Perhaps you’ll hear a new promise. You may find an immediate connection between the text and your own life. Or you may not. That’s okay. The key is to listen, believing in faith that God is speaking through his Word. Something may connect later. 

If you need some direction, start with these questions:

• What does this scripture reveal about God?

• What does this scripture reveal about humanity, and specifically, me?

• What does this scripture reveal about the Christian life?

• How does this scripture contrast with the world in which I live?

• How does this scripture call me to live differently?

P - PRAY

Finish by speaking with God. Ask God to reveal greater insight on what God may be saying to you, so that you may embed this Scripture deeply in your life, with whatever is going on in it. Ask God to help you obey and apply what you heard. For instance, if Jesus’ words on giving to the poor in secret stand out to you after you read the Sermon on the Mount, pray, “Father, teach me to give with a pure heart. May I seek a greater reward than the praise of people.” Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write out your prayer.

My deep hope through this Challenge is that you would get to know Jesus a little bit more. Let’s use this method to explore some of Jesus’s interactions and innovations to those that want a relationship with him.

Toady use the S.W.A.P method on John 1:35-42:

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).