SOAP Bible Study: John 6:28-29

When people first hear about following Jesus, it is natural to ask what God wants from us. Many imagine that doing God’s work must involve great effort or religious deeds. Yet in John 6:28-29, Jesus gives a simple and surprising answer. He tells us that the real “work” God desires begins with belief, not performance. This SOAP Bible Study: John 6:28-29 helps us see how faith is the foundation of everything we do for Him.

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After Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people, the crowd followed Him across the sea, hoping for more bread. When they found Him, they asked what they must do to please God. Their question revealed a common misunderstanding. They thought spiritual life depended on what they could accomplish, rather than what God could provide. Jesus answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Those words turned their thinking upside down. God’s desire is not that we earn His favor, but that we trust His Son.

As we walk through this passage together, we will use the SOAP method: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. This approach helps us slow down, read carefully, and let the truth of God’s Word shape our hearts. Let’s look closely at what Jesus said and how it changes the way we live each day.

Scripture

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28–29, ESV)

Observation

These verses take place after the feeding of the five thousand, one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles. The people were amazed by His power and wanted to see more. Yet their focus was on physical needs rather than spiritual truth. When they asked Jesus what they must do to perform God’s works, they expected a list of commands or duties.

Jesus’ reply turned their expectation inside out. Instead of giving them tasks to complete, He pointed them to faith. Believing in Him is the central work that pleases God. Everything else flows from that trust. True faith recognizes who Jesus is, the One sent by the Father, and rests in His provision. This moment reminds us that God’s plan has always been centered on His Son.

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For those listening, this message was both freeing and challenging. It freed them from the pressure of religious striving but also called them to something deeper. Belief is not a one-time act. It is a continuing relationship of trust and dependence. Jesus was calling them to stop chasing temporary satisfaction and to find eternal life in Him alone.

Application

We often fall into the same pattern as the crowd. We want to know what to do to please God. We look for actions, rules, or routines that make us feel spiritual. But Jesus reminds us that the true starting point is belief. Our service, obedience, and good works are not ways to earn God’s favor. They are the fruit of a heart that already believes.

Believing in Jesus means more than agreeing with facts about Him. It means trusting Him completely, His words, His promises, and His saving work. Each day, we choose to rely on His grace rather than our own strength. When we believe, we find peace in knowing that God’s approval is not based on performance but on relationship.

As we grow in faith, our actions naturally begin to reflect the One we trust. The work of God begins with belief, and through that belief, every other part of our walk finds its purpose and power.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding us that Your greatest desire is our faith. Help us to trust Jesus fully and rest in His finished work. Keep us from chasing spiritual performance and teach us to live each day from a heart of belief. May our faith in Christ produce obedience, love, and service that honor You. Strengthen us to walk in simple, steady trust, knowing that this is the work that pleases You. Amen.

Closing Thoughts on SOAP Bible Study: JOhn 6:28-29

In John 6:28–29, Jesus invites us into a life shaped by faith rather than effort. The people asked how to do God’s work, and He answered with grace. To believe in the One God has sent is to begin every good work in the right place, with trust. That truth still changes lives today.

This SOAP Bible Study: John 6:28-29 shows us that belief is not a small thing. It is the foundation of our relationship with God. Faith in Jesus opens the door to forgiveness, peace, and a life led by the Spirit. Without it, even our best intentions fall short. But with it, every part of our life can bring glory to God.

When we believe, we stop striving to earn approval and start living from the assurance that God already loves us. That is the beauty of grace. Our calling is to keep believing, keep trusting, and keep following the One whom God has sent.