Bible Study… Is it a method you need?
As mentioned in Part 1, a method to do Bible study is important… So I am going to give you 2 methods, which I know and have used to do Bible study.
But first, let me start with a recap…
A Quick Recap
What is Bible study?
You can find the answers in my previous post, Bible Study (A foundation) – Part 1.
How to do bible study?
In much more detail in the previous post:
1st step: Get a METHOD
2nd step: Get a TIME
3rd step: Get a PLACE
4th step: THIS is now an APPOINTMENT
5th step: Get the EQUIPMENT READY
6th step: READ THE BIBLE ALOUD
7th step: NEVER GIVE UP
8th step: It is dealt with on the CROSS
Let’s get started with the Bible study…
Method 1 – Discover Bible Study (DBS)
You may save this image and print it, or even recreate it… It is a template on what we are going to use for this Bible study method…
Lets look at the steps:
Step 1: Pray
Many of us may think this is common knowledge, but it is VERY important… Ask God for wisdom as we read the Scripture… Ask His Spirit to break open what we read and give us revelation.
Step 2: Get the scripture we want to read
For the purpose of the next two blogs I am going to use Psalm 23 (You can use scriptures, chapters or books)
Step 3: Read the Scripture
Reading the Scripture, gives us insight. Now we need to keep our mind at that scripture we are reading. Do not jump through the Bible for understanding… This is so we get the revelation of WHAT GOD IS SAYING IN THE SCRIPTURE we are currently reading. Remember that context around the scripture is important, thus we do not just read a single verse at a time… And reading a scripture multiple times opens it up even more…
Step 4: Write Scripture in our own words
Understanding will be better when we write it down in our own words… And writing it down will give us a preview of what we get out of the scripture we have read. This is a good reference point for the future. You will see what you learn over time if you do the same chapter over and over. (This is column 1 on the above image)
Step 5: Interpretation – (Column 2)
Step 5.1: What does it say about Jesus? – What does the given Scripture say about Jesus… This is why we ask for revelation… Not all scripture mention Jesus, but since the Bible is God-breathed, IT WILL ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING ABOUT JESUS… Maybe it is about His Character, or maybe it is about how He reacts to certain things… But ALWAYS will it speak about God.
Step 5.2: What does it say about man? – Why would it say anything about man? Man is God’s ultimate masterpiece… Man thinks, chooses and loves… This is why God would speak to man using the Bible. The Bible is a guide, and God wants to speak to us… So God would reveal something about man, especially for us, in every Scripture we read.
Step 5.3: What does it say about God’s plan? – Many may think this is weird, yet God’s plan is given in the Bible… We will find that, the more we read the Bible, the more of His plan comes to light, especially in our lives.
Step 6: Application
How can I apply that which I have read today in my life. Don’t think about adding all 500 possible things found, that can be applied. Keep it simple. If we say we want to apply something, start with something that we are willing to do. The application normally can start with “I will…” (Column 3)
Step 7: Pray
I know it seems like a lot of prayer, but bear with me. Step 7 has two parts…
Step 7.1: Ask for guidance – In the application we said we will do something, here we ask God for Guidance in that pursuit
Step 7.2: Give Thanks – Now give thanks for the revelation that He gave us.
This is the first method, that can be used, to do Bible study. It works well in Groups and on your own. I have done it in both ways, and it is effective.
Notes for a group setting (It is necessary to know, especially if planning to use it):
Firstly, pray together.
With this if you have someone who takes lead or facilitates, let them guide. This does avoid having a mix up.
With reading the Scriptures, let everyone read a part aloud, even if it is multiple times that the same Scriptures get read in multiple translations.
Time may be of the essence, however where possible, instead of giving deadline, observe the group. You can see when everyone is coming to a close.
For groups I would add a Step 8: Encourage everyone to go through study on their own
Method 1 (DBS)- Example
Why do I add this? Nothing shows better on HOW something works, than actually doing it… So I am going to use this Bible study method to go through Psalm 23.
Just a note, this is an example, thus I am not going to go into it to deep… I will however do it step by step so you can see what I do.
Step 1: Pray
Father God, I ask for wisdom as I do my Bible study today. I ask that YOUR SPIRIT will show me what I miss and guide me and keep me focused on what YOU want to show me in what I read. Amen.
Step 2: Get the scripture we want to read
Psalm 23
Step 3: Read the Scripture
I will just put the scripture here I am using.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)
Step 4: Write Scripture in your own words
God is my Shepherd, because of this I need nothing, because He has already supplied everything I need. If I need rest, He makes sure I get it, He keeps me calm. He leads me wherever I need to go. Even if I go through a tough time, He is still leading me. Because God is in front leading me I do not have anything to fear. God’s rod is used to protect me and His staff is used to guide me, thus they give me comfort. Even if I am in the midst of enemies, He will still supply all my needs. Surely His love and goodness will never leave me… (This is some of the revelation I got a while ago reading Ps 23, I am not going to add everything as this is an example to follow)
Step 5: Interpretation
Step 5.1: What does it say about Jesus?
Jesus is my Shepherd, and as a Shepherd, He will supply all my needs, and guide me where it is save…
Step 5.2: What does it say about man?
Man in here is compared with a sheep. A sheep does not have any worries because the shepherd is in control and will give everything to the sheep that is needed.
Step 5.3: What does it say about God’s plan?
God’s plan is that man should be like a sheep, no worries because He is in control. He supplies us in all our needs. God wants us to live in His House all the days of our lives. He wants us to have goodness and love everyday.
Step 6: Application
I will trust God more with what I have in my life and trust that He will supply all of my needs everyday.
Step 7: Pray
Father God, I ask for YOUR guidance as I am journeying to trust YOU more in my everyday life. I thank YOU for the revelation that YOU have given me. Amen
– END OF BIBLE STUDY EXAMPLE –
I hope that this helps you in your pursuit to growing closer to God. If you have any questions about this method, comment and ask. I will do everything to try to answer you. Be ready, another method will soon arrive in Part 3 of this series. God bless.