Bible Study Methods

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE
Bible Study Methods
Lesson Seven

We have looked at the History of the Bible. We have seen an overview of both the Old and New Testaments. We looked at the "rules" regarding Bible interpretation, and we also saw some the "tools" that are available to study the Scriptures with. The most helpful "tool" in my opinion is the exhaustive concordance, and I recommend that you use the Strong's. The last lesson was on the subject of the proper use of the Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. Now we are at the point where it is time for you to put some of these things to work.

Preparation

To effectively study the Bible requires that you: 1. Read the Scriptures carefully and prayerfully. As you take up the Scriptures to read, pray that the Lord will open your eyes, that you will see and understand what it is that He has for you today. 2. That you take notes. Yes, you need to write down everything. I would suggest a notebook that is set apart just for your Scripture notes. This will be a helpful reference in the future. 3. That you think! Reason things out. Do not accept things just because they sound right to you. PROVE ALL THINGS, HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD! (I Thess. 5:21 KJV) 4. That you memorize parts of the Bible. MEMORIZE!!?? Yes. I will give you more on this later, but consider this. Memorization depends on interest, not on intelligence!

Three Ways to Study the Bible

There are three basic ways to study the Scriptures. We are going to take a quick look at each method for Bible Study, and then help you choose one. The last lesson in this series will be the Lesson That You Prepare. Using what you have learned so far, plus using some of the Bible Study Tools, you will compose the final Chapter in this series!. The three basic methods of Bible Study are:

a. TOPICAL

b. EXPOSITORY

c. MEDITATIONAL

Let's take a quick look at each of these.

TOPICAL: This is just what the name implies. You choose a topic in the Scriptures to study. Pick one that interests you. Something that you would like to learn more about.

Then, using a Concordance, look up all the references to that topic, write them down, and then look them up in the Bible. This can take some time. Do Not Get In a Hurry.

Reading each passage carefully, answer these questions in your own notebook: 1.) What does this passage mean? 2.) How does it apply to me? 3.) What can I learn from it?

Some Biblical topics are: prayer, fasting, grace, salvation, tithing, faith, repentance, confession ............

EXPOSITORY: This word literally means "a detailed explanation". Referring to a study of the Bible it means a detailed study of a verse, a chapter or a book (or books) of the Bible. To do an expository study, pick a verse or several verses to study. ( I would wait until I had done this several times before I choose too long a section of the Scriptures.) Read your selection through very carefully at least 3 times before you start your study of it.

Then, when you are ready, read it through slowly. Write in your notebook all the major words that are used in it. Once you have them all listed, look them up in the Concordance. Look up the meanings of the words and write those down. Check the references to other Scriptures where those words are used. Read them and make notes on how those Scriptures apply to the ones you are studying. This can get quite detailed. Take your time.

Check a Bible Commentary, a Bible Dictionary and/or a Bible Encyclopedia and see what it says about the Scriptures you are studying. Make notes on all relevant material, listing the references used.

Then, looking over all the material you have gathered, write down the interpretation (What it Means) and the application (What it Means to Me and how I can apply it to my life).

MEDITATIONAL: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou have good success." (Joshua 1:8 KJV see also Psalm 1) Meditational Bible Study is one of the highest forms of study. It is commended in Scripture as one of the ways to God's blessing on the life!

It begins by memorizing. I would suggest memorizing a few verses at first. Then "grow" into memorizing chapters and books of the Bible. This is what the Scriptures mean when it talks about "hiding God's Word" in your heart. You hide it in your heart by memorizing it.

There are many little "tricks" to memorization. One way is to set the section to music and sing it. Yes, it works. We learned Psalm 1 that way years ago.

Once you have a section of the Scripture memorized, you meditate on it by filling your mind with it. You let the words of the memorized portion run through your mind, again and again. (Joshua 1:8 - "..meditate therein day and night...") As you do this prayerfully, thoughts, ideas, concepts will be revealed to your mind. Keep a notebook handy and write them down. As you think on the Scripture you have memorized, look for 1.) Interpretation - What it means. and 2.) Application - How to apply it to the life. Be sure to write them down. Quite often the more you meditate upon a Scripture or a portion of Scripture the more revelation you receive about it. Again, take your time.

One way to use Scriptures you have memorized is to quote them out loud during times of emotional upheaval. For instance, if you have memorized the 23rd Psalm, during a period of "darkness" you can quote this Scripture. It affirms your faith, brings light and peace, and will help keep your mind from running away with worry or fear.

Your Turn

Now it is your turn to give the Bible Lesson. Choose one of the Methods of Bible Study. Take several weeks and DO IT! Don't put it off. Start now. Once you have it done, if you will share it with me I will try to evaluate it and help you along the road of Studying the Bible! God Bless you in your study of His Word.

Lesson One Lesson Two Lesson Three Lesson Four Lesson Five Lesson Six