Nothing’s sweeter than spending time in the Word…
However, I must confess, that wasn’t always my experience.
Rather than losing myself in Bible study, I’d open a page and read for awhile, then check it off my spiritual to-do list and go on with my day.
I knew there was more to studying scripture, but I didn’t know how to do it.
Once again, the Navigator 2:7 Discipleship Course came to the rescue, giving me different tools and approaches to digging deep in God’s Word.
How to Study the Bible
Here’s a Word Time video that outlines four approaches that you might find helpful as well. It’s from the Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World DVD Bible Study.
Below the video, you’ll find the sidebar that accompanies the video in the companion study guide.
Many of us want to go deeper in our study of God’s Word, but we’re unsure of how to study the Bible. I’d like to share a few methods I’ve found to be effective in my walk with God.
Topical Study—searches through Scripture to gain deeper insights into a specific subject
~ Think of every form and synonym of the word or topic you want to study.
~ Look up each word in a concordance or topical index.
~ Read over the list of scripture phrases that contain that word to find the verses that seem most relevant to your struggle, then look them up.
~ Write out the verses that really speak to you. Consider memorizing one or two.
Book Study—focuses on one book of the Bible for an extended time
~ Study background of the book, historical context, audience, and author.
~ Read through the book quickly as an overview, then again slowly verse by verse.
~ Look for common themes and/or repeated words.
~ Explore cross-references. Read various translations and commentaries.
Character Study—targets one specific person in the Bible (for example, David or Esther)
~ Read portions of scripture that directly involve the character and his or her story.
~ List qualities, both good and bad; note growth or digression.
~ Search for other biblical references to that person.
~ Write down lessons learned and specific ways you are inspired.
Ask Questions—consider the following to go deeper in your study of any scripture passage:
~ WHO wrote it and to whom is it written?
~ WHAT is the overall theme?
~ WHY was it written?
~ WHERE did it take place?
~ WHEN was it written?
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman
who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)
I’d love to hear from you…What is your favorite Bible study method?