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Also by Rick Warren

The Purpose Driven® Life

The Purpose Driven® Church

Living with Purpose SeriesGod’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions

God ’s Power to Change Your Life

Rick WaRRen’s

MeTHODsBiBLe sTUDY

F r o m t h e a u t h o r o f

T H e P U R P O s e DR i v e n® L i f e

Rick WaRRen’s

MeTHODsBiBLe sTUDY

12Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word

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Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods Adobe® Acrobat® eBook Reader® format Copyright © 1981, 2006 by Rick Warren

Formerly published under the title Personal Bible Study Methods

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

ISBN-13: 978-0-310-27759-0 ISBN-10: 0-310-27759-0

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

KJV indicates Scripture quotations from the King James Version.

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All rights reserved. Some forms are designated in the text as being suitable for reproduction. No other part of this publica-tion may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other — except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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To my wife, Elizabeth Kay

whose prayers, support, and commitment to disciple-making have been

a constant encouragement while I was working on this book.

She is truly a gift from God.

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cOnTenTs

Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Introduction:.How.to.Study.the.Bible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Preview.of.the.12.Bible.Study.Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

1. TheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 2. TheChapterSummaryMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 3. TheCharacterQualityMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 4. TheThematicMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 5. TheBiographicalMethodofBibleStudy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 6. TheTopicalMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 7. TheWordStudyMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 8. TheBookBackgroundMethodofBibleStudy . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 9. TheBookSurveyMethodofBibleStudy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 10. TheChapterAnalysisMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 11. TheBookSynthesisMethodofBibleStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 12. TheVerse-by-VerseAnalysisMethodofBibleStudy . . . . . . . 221

Appendices A. HowtoHaveaMeaningfulQuietTime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 B. GeneralQuestionsforaBiographicalStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 C. AListofPositiveandNegativeCharacterQualities. . . . . . . . . 259 D. APartialListofBiblicalPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 E. ASuggestedListofKeyWordsforStudy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 F. WhattoLookforinaChapterAnalysisStudy............. 265 G. APlanforStudyingtheBibleSystematically . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

For.Further.Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271About.the.Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272About.the.Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

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PReface

FormanyyearseverytimeIheardagoodsermonorsomein-depthBibleteaching,Iwouldleavethemeetingfrustrated,wonderingtomyself,How.did.he.find.all.of.that.in.his.text?Iwantedtobeabletodiscoverthosetruthsonmyown.Inaddition,IoftenfeltguiltybecausepeoplewerealwaystellingmeIoughttostudytheBible,butwhenItriedtostudyit,Ididn’tknowwhattodo.SoIwouldgetdiscouragedandgiveup.

Since those days of frustration, I have discovered thatmost Christians sin-cerelywanttostudytheirBiblesontheirown,buttheyjustdon’tknowhow.Theydon’t needmore exhortation (“Youought to study yourBible!”); they just needsomeinstructiononhowtostudytheWordofGod.Andthatisthepurposeofthisbook—itisa“how-to”manualonBiblestudy.ItassumesthatyoualreadyknowtheimportanceofpersonalBiblestudy,thatyouhavebeenexhortedmanytimestothisChristianduty,andthatyouhavebeenwaitingforsomeonetoshowyouhowtodoit.

TheBibleteachesusthatwecannotbedisciplesofJesusChristifwedonothavearegularintakeoftheWordofGod.OnoneoccasionJesussaidtohisfol-lowers,“Ifyoucontinue inmyword, thenareyoumydisciples indeed;andyoushallknowthetruth,andthetruthshallmakeyoufree”(John8:31–32KJV).AswelookbackthroughthehistoryoftheChristianchurch,wefindthatthecommondenominatorofeverygreatmanandwomanofGodisthattheyknewtheScrip-turesandspentconsistent,regulartimewiththeLordinhisWord.

NeverbeforeinhistoryhastheBiblebeenmoreavailabletotheWesternworld.YetneverbeforehastherebeensuchafamineofGod’sWord.WehaveBiblesinhotels,motels,doctors’offices, libraries,andmosthomes inAmerica,yetmostpeopleareignorantofwhattheScriptureshavetosay.Weliveinadayofbiblicalilliteracy,evenamongmanypeopleofGod.

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Rick WaRRen’s BiBLe sTUDY MeTHODs

EachstudymethodinthisbookispresentedinsuchawaythatanybelieversinChristcanfollowthestepssuggestedandbeableon.their.own.togetsomethingoutoftheirstudyoftheScriptures.Itrustthatyourreading,study,anduseofthisbookwillmakeyouintoabiblicallyliteratediscipleoftheLordJesusChrist—use-fulasaworkerinyourlocalchurchinreachingthelostwiththegospelandtrainingbelieversindiscipleship.

TheclaimsofdiscipleshipincludeacalltocommitmentbymenandwomenwhowanttofollowJesus.TheygrowasdisciplesbygettingintotheWordasahabitoflifeandapplyingitconsistentlytotheirdailylives.

GeorgeMueller,thedirectorofaseriesoforphanagesinBristol,England,dur-ingmuchofthe19thcentury,wasknownasamanoffaithandprayer.Itisamaz-ingtoreadtheanswerstoprayerthismanhadduringhislonglife.Whatmadehimamanoffaithandprayer?DuringhislifetimehereadthroughtheBibleover200times,andmorethanhalfofthosereadingshedidonhisknees,prayingovertheWordandstudyingitdiligently.

WhenyouknowtheWordofGodthatwell,youaregoingtoknowthewillofGodforyourlife.WhenyouknowthewillofGod,youwillbeabletoprayspecificallyandgetspecificanswers.

Ifweweretoask inachurchmeeting,“Howmanyofyoubelieve theBiblefromcovertocover?”probablyeveryonewouldraiseahand.However,ifweweretoask,“Howmanyofyou read. it. regularly fromcover tocover?”wemightnotgetmuchofaresponse.ItseemsweareoftenguiltyofbeingmoreinterestedindefendingGod’sWordthaninstudyingit.

OnatypicaleveninganaverageChristianmaysitandwatchTVforthreehours,butonlyreadhisBibleforthreeminutesbeforebedtime. Is itanywondermanylackspiritualmaturity?ManyChristiansaremorefaithfultotheDearAbbycolumnorthesportspagesthantheyaretotheWordofGod.Ihaveknownnon-Christianswhowouldnot leave theirhomes in themorninguntil theyhadreadtheirhoro-scopes.WhatwouldhappenifChristianscommittedthemselveswithequalvigortoreadingtheirBibleseachmorningbeforetheyleftforwork,school,orshopping?Itwouldchangetheirlivesandthelivesofthosearoundthem.

Preface

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The apostle Paul said something important about theScriptures.Writing toTimothy,hedeclared:

Butasforyou,continueinwhatyouhavelearnedandhavebecomeconvincedof,becauseyouknow those fromwhomyou learned it,andhow from infancyyouhaveknowntheholyScriptures,whichareabletomakeyouwiseforsalvationthroughfaithinChristJesus.AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correct-ing,andtraininginrighteousness,sothatthemanofGodmaybethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork(2Tim.3:14–17).

PaulgivesustworeasonswhyweshouldknowtheScriptures.Thefirstpur-poseisthatwemightcometoknowJesusChristandreceivehissalvation(v.15).We learnabouthimand redemption through theWord.ThesecondpurposeofScripture is tohelpusgrowspiritually thatwemightbeequippedforwhateverGodwantsus todo (v.17).Themeans to thatgrowthare teaching (doctrine),rebuking,correcting,andtraining(v.16).Teachingshowsusthepathonwhichwearetowalk;rebukingshowsuswherewegotoffthepath;correctingtellsushowtogetbackonthepath;andtraininginrighteousnessteacheshowtostayonthatpath.ThismeansthattheBibleisthecomprehensiveguidebookforlivingtheChristianlife.

NeartheendofJesus’ministry,theJewishleadersweretryingtotrickhimwithcomplicatedquestionsabouttheirLaw.ToonequestiontheSadduceeshaddesignedtotrytotraphim,Jesusreplied,“YouareinerrorbecauseyoudonotknowtheScripturesorthepowerofGod”(Matt.22:29).Jesusgivesherethetwobasicreasonsforfalsedoctrine,orerror.PeoplegetoffbasedoctrinallybecausetheyknowneithertheirBiblesnorthepowerofGod.Allerrorcomesfromthesetwothings.

Withthecurrentriseandpopularityofcults,falseteachings,andnonbiblicalphilosophies,itisimperativethatweChristiansbegroundedintheWordofGodsothatwecandiscernerrorfromtruth.

WhyisitthatmostChristiansdonotstudytheWordofGod?Probablymanyreasonscouldbegiven,butthreeseemtobemostcommon.Thefirstreasonisthat.people.don’t.know.how .Thiswasmysituationformanyyears.IwouldgotoaBible

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conference, retreat,or revivalandheargreatpreaching. Iwouldoften leave themeetingamazedatthescripturalinsightthevariousspeakerspossessed.ThenIwouldthink,Whydidn’t.I.see.that?andIwouldtrytostudyonmyown.ButbecausenoonehadshownmehowtostudytheBiblebymyself,Iwasunabletodoitandfeltfrustrated.IknewGodwantedmetostudyhisWord,soIcommittedmyselftolearninghowandtoteachingothershowitcouldbedone.

IfIweretomeetastarvingmanbythesideofariver,lake,orocean,Icoulddooneoftwothings:Icouldgetmyfishingrodandcatchhimafish,thussatisfy-inghishungerforafewhours;orIcouldteachhimhowtofish,thussatisfyinghishungerforhislifetime.Thesecondoptionisobviouslythebestwaytohelpthatman.Inthesameway,hungryChristiansneedtobetaughthowtofeedthemselvesfromtheWordofGod.

The second reasonwhypeopledon’t study theirBibles is that they.are.not.motivated .Thisisbecausetheyhavenotexperiencedthejoythatcomesfromper-sonallydiscoveringtruthsfromtheWordofGod.PasteffortsatBiblestudyhavebeenunfruitful,sotheyhavegivenup.TheyhavebecomesatisfiedwithgettingalltheyneedfortheirChristianlivesfromsomebodyelseratherthanfindingitoutontheirown.Atthispoint,Imustwarnyouaboutthisbook:IfyougetseriousaboutstudyingtheBibleonyourown,youwillneveragainbesatisfiedwithameresec-ondhandknowledgeoftheScriptures.Dr.PaulLittleoncecomparedpersonalBiblestudytoeatingpeanuts.Onceyougetstarteddoingit,you’rehooked!WhenyoudiscoverhowgoodBiblestudy“tastes,”youwillfindyourselfgoingbackformoreandmore.PersonalBiblestudycanbehabit-forming!

Thethirdreasonwhypeopledon’tstudytheScripturesisthatthey.are.lazy .Biblestudyishardwork,andtherearenoshortcutstoit.Itisjustlikeanythingelseinlifethatistrulyworthwhile:ittakestime,effort,concentration,andpersistence.MostgreattruthsoftheWordofGoddonotlieonthesurface;wehavetodigforthem.Justasgoldmightbefoundatthebottomofamineorapearlatthebottomofthesea,sothedeepertruthsofGodmustbesearchedoutwithgreatdiligence.

HowardG.Hendricks,well-knownconferencespeakerandChristianeducationexpert,hasspokenofthreestagesofattitudestowardBiblestudy:

Preface

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• The“castoroil”stage—whenwestudytheBiblebecauseweknowitisgoodforus,butitisnottooenjoyable.

• The“cereal”stage—whenourBiblestudyisdryanduninteresting,butweknowitisnourishing.

• The“peachesandcream”stage—whenwearereally feastingontheWordofGod.

IntheWesternworldweliveinasocietythatpreferstohaveotherpeopledoour thinking for us. That’s why TV and other forms of entertainment, includingprofessionalsports,aresopopular.Wewanttorelaxandbeentertainedwithouthavingtothinkorexertanyeffort.InBiblestudy,however,wehavetolearnsometechniques, somemethods, and thenconcentrateondiggingout themessagesGodhasforus.

ThepurposeofthisbookistoteachyouhowtodigouttherichesoftheWordofGodforyourself.Itwillrequiresomeseriousthinking,butwehavetriedtokeeptheproceduressimple.

Ineachchapteryouwillbeintroducedtooneof12basicmethodsofpersonalBiblestudy.Forthesakeofclarity,eachchaptercontainsthesamebasiccompo-nents,thoughtheordervaries:

1. Acondensedoutlineofeachmethod.Thisallowsyoutogainanoverviewofeachmethodataglance.Youwillfindthishelpfulwheneveryouneedtoreferbacktothesequenceofstepsinacertainmethod.

2. Ashortdefinitionofthemethod. 3. Arationaleforeachmethod.Thisacquaintsyouwiththebenefitsand

limitationsofeachmethod. 4. Theprocedureforeachmethod.Thisisexplainedinasimplestep-by-

stepmanner. 5. Anexampleofeachmethod(acompletedform). 6. Ablankformyoucanuseorcopyforyourownstudy. 7. Suggestedpossiblepassagesorsubjectstogetyoustartedonyourown

study. 8. Suggestionsforfurtherreadingrelatedtoeachmethod.

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Becauseeachchapter is independentoftheothers,youmayskiparoundinreadingthebook,choosingtolearnfirstthemethodsthatinterestyoumost.How-ever,withtheexceptionofthelastone,thesemethodsarepresentedin.order.of.their.difficulty .Thereisalogicalprogressionthroughthebook.Asyoumovefromchaptertochapter,youwillbeintroducedtoadditionalBiblestudyskills.Forthebestresults,youshouldmastereachmethodintheordergivenbeforeproceedingtothenext.Chapter1,“TheDevotionalMethod,”isfoundational;youshouldreadandunderstand itbeforeattemptinganyothermethod. Itwill teachyouhowtowriteoutapersonalapplicationfromScripture,whichyouwillthenuseasafinalstepinmostoftheothermethods.

Itrustthatthisbookwillbecomeawell-wornandusedreferencetoolthatwillguideyouinalifetimeofpersonalBiblestudyandinyourteachingotherstodothesame.

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inTRODUcTiOn: HOW TO sTUDY THe BiBLe

PrinciPles of Dynamic BiBle stuDy

DynamicBiblestudydoesnotrequireanythingmagical.Onceyouunderstandthebasicprinciples,itissimpletodo.Herearefivegeneralprinciplesyouwillneedtoremember,regardlessofthemethodofstudyyouuse.

1.The.secret.of.dynamic.Bible.study.is.knowing.how.to.ask.the.right.kinds.of.questions .ThetwelvemethodsofBiblestudypresentedinthisbookrequireyouraskingquestionsofthebiblicaltext.Themaindifferenceinthesemethodsisthetypesofquestionsyouwillask.Youwillhavedifferenttypesofquestionswitheachmethod.Askingquestionsisaskillthatyoucandevelop.AsyougrowinproficiencyinBiblestudy,youwilldeveloptheartofaskingquestions.Themorequestionsyouaskaboutthetextunderstudy,themoreyouwillgetoutofit.

Youwillrealizethatyoucanbombardthetextwithalimitlessnumberofques-tions.OnebenefitofstudyingtheBible is thatyouwillbegindevelopingamoreinquisitivemind.Youwilldiscoverexcitinginsightsyou’veoverlookedinthepast.Itwillseemasifyouhavebeengivenanewpairofeyes!Suddenly,everytimeyoupickuptheBibletostudy,newtruthswillleapoutofthetext.

2. Dynamic. Bible. study. involves. writing. down. what. you. have. observed. and.discovered .Youhaven’treallythoughtthroughabiblicaltextuntilyouhaveputthethoughtsgained from it intowriting.Youcannot study theBiblewithoutwritingsomethingdown.ThatisthedifferencebetweenBiblereadingandBiblestudy.InreadingtheBibleyousimplyreadthroughaselectedportionofScripture,whereasinstudyingtheBibleyoutakeextensivenotes.DawsonTrotman, founderof theNavigators,usedtosay,“Thoughtsdisentanglethemselveswhentheypassthrough

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thelipsandthefingertips.”Ifyouhaven’tputyourobservationsdownonpaper,youhaven’treallythoughtaboutthem.

Thisprinciple istruenotonly inBiblestudybutalso inmanyotherareasoftheChristianlife.OneofthemostprofitablethingsyoucandoinyourspirituallifeistostartsomekindofspiritualnotebookinwhichyouwritedownthoughtsandinsightsGodhasgivenyou.

Nowhereisnote-takingmoreimportantthaninyourpersonalBiblestudy.Ifyoureallyvaluethenuggetsoftruththatyoudiscover,youwilltakenotesoneverythingyoudigoutoftheScriptures.Evenifyoudon’tseeanythinginaparticularverse,writethatdown.EachBiblestudymethodinthisbookhasastudyformdesignedtobeusedwithitsothatyoucanwritedownvariousnotesonwhatyoustudy.

3.The.ultimate.goal.of.dynamic.Bible.study.is.application,.not.just.interpretation .Wedonotwanttosettleforunderstandingalone;wewanttoapplythebiblicalprin-ciplestoourdailyliving.DwightL.Moody,agreatevangelistandChristianeducatorofthelatenineteenthcentury,usedtosay,“TheBiblewasnotgiventoincreaseourknowledge,buttochangeourlives.”ItwasgiventochangeourcharacterandbringitmoreintoconformitywithJesusChrist.AllofoureffortsinBiblestudyarevalue-lessifinthefinalanalysiswedonotchangeandbecomemorelikeJesus.Wemust“notmerelylistentotheword,”butweareto“dowhatitsays”(James1:22).

ItispossibletoknowtheWordofGodandnotknowtheGodoftheWord.Oneofthetragediesofourtimeisthatsomeoftheworld’sbestBiblescholarsarealsosomeofthepoorestsoul-winners.Theyhavethetimetodigforgreatgemsofbibli-caltruth,buttheyseemtoforgetthatoneofthemandatesofScriptureistogooutandmakedisciples.WhenweapplyGod’sWordinourlives,wewillalsobecomeeagertocarryouttheGreatCommission(Matt.28:18–20).

Onedayamanaskedme,“Whatisthebesttranslation?”(Hewasreferring,ofcourse,tothebestBibleversion.)

Ianswered,“ThebesttranslationiswhenyoutranslatetheWordofGodintoyourdailylife.”

Hesaid,“ButI’vegotmyLiving.Bible .”(Hestilldidn’tgetthepicture.)Ireplied,“Yououghttobe.alivingBible!TheWordmadefleshoughttobevis-

ibleinyourlife.”

Introduction:.How.to.Study.the.Bible

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Some of the questions you ought to be asking yourself in your Bible studyare:WhatattitudedoIneedtochangeasaresultofthisstudy?WhatdoIneedtostartdoingorstopdoing?WhatthingsdoIneedtobelieveorstopbelieving?WhatrelationshipsdoIneedtoworkon?WhatministryshouldIbehavingwithothers?OurgoalinallBiblestudiesistoknowJesusChristandtobecomelikehiminourattitudes,ourthoughts,ourspeech,ouractions,andourvalues.

WhentheWordofGodchangesourlivesandmakesusmorelikeJesus,that’swhenwerealizewhattherealpurposeoflifeis,whattruejoyis,andwhatitmeansforGodtochangetheworldthroughus.TheGreatCommissionisfulfilledandsoulsarewonwhenwebecomeChristlikeanddohiswill.

Onefurtherthoughthere:WhenyoubeginstudyingtheWordofGod,don’tgotoitwiththeattitudeoffindingsometruththatnooneelsehaseverseen.Don’tstudyittofindsomethingwithwhichtoimpressothers.JustgototheWordtofindoutwhatithastosayto.you.Therealproblemformostofusisnotwithinterpretingdifficultpassagesbutwithobeyingthepassageswedounderstand.

4.Dynamic.Bible.study.means.that.God’s.Word.must.be.studied.systematically .AhaphazardstudyoftheWordofGodisaninsulttothesanctityofScripture.ItisaslapattheholinessofGod,whogaveusthatWord.The“cafeteriastyle,”the“dip-or-skip”method,orthe“what-are-we-going-to-find-today”approachwillnotproducetheresultsGodwantsinourlives.Whatweneedisasystematic,regularplanofstudy,whetherwegothroughabook,studyaword,analyzeaperson’scharacter,studyachapter,orchoosesomeothermethod.

WeshouldnotoverlookanypassageorsectionintheBible.TheOldTestamentis justasmuchGod’sWordas is theNew.ManypeopletodaydonotknowtoomuchabouttheOldTestament.ItmaybeembarrassingforsometogettoheavenandhaveZephaniahaskthem,“Howdidyoulikemybook?”Because“allScriptureisGod-breathed”(2Tim.3:16),weneedtostudyallofitsystematically.(AplanforsuchasystematicstudyissuggestedinappendixG.)

StudyingtheBibleislikebeingagooddetective.AgoodBiblestudentbasicallyfollowsthesameprocedureasagoodsleuth.Thefirstthingadetectivedoesistogooutandlookforclues.Hedoesn’tsayanything,interpretanything,ordrawanyconclusions,buthedoeslookatallthedetails.Heobservesthingsthatother

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peoplemightnormallyoverlook,becauseheistrainedinobservation.Second,hebeginsaskingquestionsonthebasisofwhathehasobserved.Third,afterintenseobservation and questioning, he starts putting the evidence together and inter-pretingwhathehas.Fourth,hecomparesandcorrelates,piecingtogetheralltheevidencehehascollectedtoseehoweachfactrelatestotheothers.Finally,hedrawsaconclusionandmakesadecisiononthebasisofwhathebelievesactuallyoccurredandwhowasinvolved.

AseriousBiblestudentfollowsthesesamebasicstepsinapproachingtheWordof God. The first step is observing: seeing the basic facts contained in the textunder study.Next comesasking questions: discovering additional facts bymoreintenseobservation.Third is interpreting: analyzingwhat the textmeans. Fourthiscorrelatingwhat youhavediscoveredwithotherbiblical truths youknow; thisinvolvescross-referencingversesandcomparingScripturewithScripture.Thefinalstepisdrawingaconclusion:applyingtoyourlifeinapracticalwaythetruthsyouhavestudied.(IamgratefultoWilliamLincolnforthehelpfuldetectiveanalogy.HisbookPersonal.Bible.Study[BethanyHouse,1975]isanexcellentintroductiontotheinductiveapproachtoBiblestudy.)

5.In.dynamic.Bible.study.you.will.never.exhaust.the.riches.in.any.one.passage.of.Scripture .Thepsalmistdeclared,“ToallperfectionIseealimit;butyourcommandsareboundless”(Ps.119:96).YoucandiganddiginScripture,butyouwillnevertouchbottom.Solomonsaid,“Ifyoulookforitasforsilverandsearchforitasforhiddentreasure,thenyouwillunderstandthefearoftheLOrDandfindtheknowledgeofGod”(Prov.2:4–5).ButGod’ssilverlodeisinexhaustibleandthetreasureisboundless.

Forthisreasonyoucanstudythesamepassageoverandoveragain,digintoit,leaveitforthreeorfourmonths—andwhenyoucomebacktoit,thereismuchmoretofind.Thekeyisthis:Stick.with.it!rememberthatthereisnolimittothenumberofquestionsyoucanask,nolimittotheobservationsyoucanmake,nolimittotheapplicationsyoucanmake.Sodon’tgiveup.ThebestattitudetohaveinBiblestudyistheoneJacobhadwhenhewrestledwiththeangelandsaid,“Iwillnotletyougounlessyoublessme”(Gen.32:26).

Biblestudyhasnoshortcuts.Itishardwork,butifyouarediligentandpatient,youwillreapresultsinduetime.Onceyouhavefeltthejoyandsatisfactionthat


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comesfromfindingafantasticspiritualtruthonyourownandapplyingittoyourlife,youwillrealizethatitwaswellworththeeffort.Sostickwithit!

PreParation for Dynamic BiBle stuDy

YoudonotjustrushintoBiblestudy.GoodBiblestudydemandssomepreparation.Herearefourthingsthatareimportanttoyouifyouaretoreceivethemostbenefitfromyourstudy.

1.Schedule.your.Bible.study.time .SetasideaspecificamountoftimetodoBiblestudyeachweek.DecidehowmuchtimeyouwanttospendonBiblestudy.Don’toverdoit,butdon’tshortchangeyourself,either.Ifyoudon’tputstudyintoyourweeklyschedule,youwillnevermaketimeforitoritwillbesporadicandshal-low.You.must.make.time.for.Bible.study .

HowoftenshouldyoustudytheBible?Theanswerwillvaryfrompersontoperson,butan important factor tokeep inmind is thedistinctionbetweenyourquiet timeandyourBiblestudytime.Youshouldhaveaquiet timeeveryday. Itisusuallyashortdevotionalperiod(10–30minutes)inwhichyoureadtheBible,meditateforafewminutesonwhatyouhaveread,andhaveatimeofprayer.ThepurposeofyourquiettimeistohavefellowshipwithJesusChrist.(SeeappendixAforinstructionsonhowtohaveaquiettime.)

Youshouldnottrytodoin-depthBiblestudyduringyourquiettime.Infact,nothingwillkillyourquiettimefasterthanengaginginseriousBiblestudyduringthatdevotionalperiod.JustenjoythepresenceofGodandfellowshipwithhim.

Whileitisbettertohavea10-minutequiettimeeverydaythanjustaone-hourperiodonceaweek,theexactoppositeistrueinBiblestudy.YoucannotstudytheBibleeffectivelyinapiecemealfashion.Itisbettertoblockoutlargerperiodsoftime(twotofourhours)thantotrytostudyalittlebiteveryday.ThenasyougrowinyourBiblestudyskills,youcanspendadditionaltimewithit.

ProbablytheworstenemyofBiblestudytodayintheWesternworldistelevi-sion.SurveysshowthattheTVison7hours,40minutesperdayintheaverageAmericanhome.TheaverageAmericanwatchesmore than4hoursofTVeachday—whichpackedtogetherwouldbe61daysofTVviewingperyear.Byage

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18theaverageAmericanchildwillhaveseen200,000actsofviolence,including16,000murders.Byage65theaverageAmericanwillhavespentabout9½yearsinfrontofthetube.(Formorestatisticsseehttp://tvturnoff .org/images/facts&figs/factsheets/FactsFigs .pdf.)

If,ontheotherhand,apersonwenttoSundayschoolregularlyfrombirthuntilage65,hewouldonlyhavehadatotaloffourmonthsofsolidBibleteaching.IsitanywonderthattherearesomanyweakChristiansinWesternsociety?WehavetodisciplineourselvesandmakespecifictimeforBiblestudy,andnotletanythinggetinitsway.

YoushouldstudyyourBiblewhenyouareatyourbestphysically,emotionally,andintellectually,andwhenyoucanbeundistractedandunhurried.Sinceyouareeithera“dayperson”ora“nightperson,”youshouldpickthetimewhenyouaremostalert.Youshouldnevertrytostudywhenyouaretiredorrightafteralargemeal.Trytostudywhenyouarerestedandwide-awake.

2.Keep.a.notebook .Asalreadystated,youcannotstudytheBiblewithoutwrit-ingdownthingsthatyouhaveobserved.Eachstudymethodsuggestedinthisbookhasastudyformdesignedtogowithit.

3.Get.the.right.tools .Witheachmethodofstudyisalistofsuggestedrefer-encetoolsyouwillneedforyourstudy.Thefirstfewmethodsrequirefewornotools,whilethelateronesrequireanumberofthem.Youshouldconsidermakinganinvestment inthesereferencetoolsandsettingupa littlepersonalreferencelibrary. Itwillbean investmentyouwilluse therestofyour life.Youwill findadiscussion of these in the next section,with suggestions for a basic andmoreadvancedlibrary.

4.Spend.a.short.time.in.prayer.before.each.study .First,asktheLordtocleanseyour lifefromallknownsinandtofillyouwiththeHolySpirit,soyouwillbeinfellowshipwithhimduringthestudy.ThisistheadvantageofstudyingtheBibleascomparedwithstudyinga textbook:youhavedirectcommunicationwith theAuthorhimself.Youhavetheprivilegeofstudyingnotonlytherevelation,butalsotherevealer.SomakesureyouareinfellowshipwithChristbeforeyoustudyhisWord.TheapostlePaulsaidthatifyouareintheflesh,orcarnal,youcannotunder-standspiritualtruths(1Cor.2:10–3:4).YouhavetobeinfellowshipwiththeLord

http://tvturnoff.org/images/facts&figs/factsheets/FactsFigs.pdf

http://tvturnoff.org/images/facts&figs/factsheets/FactsFigs.pdf


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inordertounderstandandapplyhisWord.Assomeonesaid,“WeneedtosearchourheartsbeforewesearchtheScriptures.”WeneedtomakesureourlivesarerightwithGodbeforewetrytodigintohisWord.

Second,praythattheHolySpiritwillguideyouinyourstudy.ThebestwaytounderstandtheBibleistotalkwithitsAuthor.MemorizePsalm119:18anduseitbeforeeachstudy:“OpenmyeyesthatImayseewonderfulthingsinyourlaw.”AskGodtoopenyoureyestohisWord.Inthefinalanalysis,unlessGodtheHolySpiritopensyoureyestoseethetruthsintheBible,allofyourstudyingwillbeawastedeffort.

selecting the right tools for gooD BiBle stuDy

Probablyoneofthebest-keptsecretsinChristendomistheavailabilityofpracticalBiblestudyhelps.ManyChristiansarenotawareofthemanyexcellentreferencetoolscurrentlyavailabletomakepersonalBiblestudypossibleandexciting.Thisiscomparabletoacarpenterwhosetsouttobuildahousewithoutknowingthatahammerandsawareavailabletohim.

Pastorsshouldacquainttheirpeoplewiththesebooks,forthedevildelightsinkeepingthemoutofcirculation.AslongasSatancankeepChristiansfromstudy-ingtheirBiblesontheirown,hisworkwillbethatmucheasier.AChristianwhodoesnotspend regular timeeachweek inpersonalBiblestudywillbeweak inresistingthedevil’stemptations.Apracticalwaythatpastorscan“prepareGod’speople forworksofservice” (Eph.4:12) is to familiarize theirpeoplewith theseBiblestudytools.

the PurPose of reference tools

ChristianslivingintheWesternworldhaveanabundanceofhelpfulbooksthataredesignedtoaidusinourpersonalBiblestudy,makinguseofthelatestarcheo-logicalfinds,wordstudies,andresearchofgreatBiblescholars.Biblestudytools,however,arenotmeanttoreplacetheBible;rather,theyhelpusinstudyingtheBibleitself.Biblestudyisaskillweneedtodevelop.Mostskillsrequiretheuse

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of somekindsof tools.Carpentersneed theirhammersandsaws;artistsneedtheirbrushesandpaints;plumbersneedtheirwrenches.Likewise,seriousBiblestudentswillwanttotakeadvantageoftheavailablereferencetoolstohelpthemsearchtheScriptureseffectively.PeoplewhotrytostudytheBiblesystematicallywithoutusinggoodtoolswillfindtheirjobtediousanddifficult.

SomeChristianshesitatetousereferencesoutoffearthattheywillbecometoodependentonthem.Somesaypiously,“AllIneedistheBible.”True,butthetools suggested in this sectionaredesigned tohelp youget into theBible.Youshouldnotbeafraidofusingreferencetools,formostofthesebooksrepresentthelifelongstudiesofdedicatedmenofGod.TheinsightstheyreceivedfromtheLordcanenrichyourBiblestudyimmenselyandprovideinformationaboutpeople,places,andeventsthatyouwouldnotfindintheBiblealone.

the tools themselves

InthissectionwelookateighttypesofreferencetoolsthatareusedintheBiblestudymethodspresentedandexplainedinthisbook.

1.The.study.Bible .Yourfirstandmost important tool isagoodstudyBible.SomeBiblesaremoreadaptabletopersonalBiblestudythanothers.AgoodstudyBibleshouldhaveprintlargeenoughforyoutoreadforlongperiodsoftimewith-outgettingaheadachefromeyestrain.Itshouldalsohavepaperthickenoughforyou tomakenoteswithout the ink running through thepaper to thenextpage.Widemarginsarehelpfulbecausetheyallowroomformakingpersonalnotations.Finally,astudyBibleshouldhaveagoodsystemofcross-references.

IrecommendtheNewInternationalVersion(NIV)becauseexhaustiveconcor-dances and various study Bibles are available today in that version. The studyBiblesincludeageneraleditionaswellasversionsdesignedforparticularcatego-riesofpeople,suchasmen,women,teenagers,andpeoplestillintheirspiritualsearchforGod.

StudyBiblesandconcordancesarealsoavailableintheKingJamesVersion(KJV),butthatversion’sarchaiclanguagecanbeahandicapunlessyoukeepamorerecenttranslationsuchastheNIVatyoursideduringyourBiblestudy.


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2.Several.recent.translations .Inthepast50yearswehaveseentheproduc-tionofmanynewtranslationsoftheBiblethatusecontemporaryEnglish.Thoughweaknessesexistineverytranslation,eachonemakesauniquecontributiontoabetterunderstandingoftheBible.Manypeoplewhowerepreviouslynotinterestedin theKingJamesVersionhavebegun to readandstudy theBible in themorerecent translations.Thegreatestbenefit youcan receive from theseversions iscomparingthemonewithanotherinyourstudy.Themanypossiblemeaningsandusagesofawordcanbefoundbyreadingaverseinthevariousversionsandnot-ingthedifferences.

Alsoavailabletodayaresome“parallel”Bibles,whichincludeseveraltrans-lationssidebyside inasinglevolume.Thisallowsyou tocompare translationsquicklywithouthavingtolayout10Biblesacrossyourdesk.Besidestheserecenttranslations,afewwell-knownparaphraseshavebeenproduced.Atranslationismoreofaword-for-wordtranslationfromtheoriginal language;aparaphrase iswhatonepersonbelievestheoriginalsays,whichcallsforinclusionoftheirowninterpretationinsomeplaces.Mosttranslationshavebeenpreparedbyagroupofscholars,whileaparaphraseistheworkofoneperson.Paraphrasesarefineforoccasionallightdevotionalreading,butshouldnotbeusedforseriousBiblestudy.Useanaccurateandrespectedtranslationforthat.

SomeusefulandreliabletranslationsavailabletodaybesidestheNIVare

•. The.New.American.Standard.Bible(producedbytheLockmanFoundationandpublishedbyZondervanand several otherpublishers), recognizedasoneof themostaccurate translations that is faithful to theoriginallanguages.

•. The.Amplified.Bible(producedbytheLockmanFoundationandpublishedby Zondervan), a translation that includes different possible meaningsofmanywordsusedinthetext.ItseekstoshowthemanyrenderingsaGreekorHebrewwordcanhave,soyoucanunderstandthefullimplica-tionsofitsusage.(Somesayitallowsthereadertoselecthisownmean-ings.) It ishelpful indoingwordstudies,but isnotrecommendedasaregularreadingBible.

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•. The.New.Living.Translation(producedandpublishedbyTyndaleHouse),a contemporary translation that has a dynamic approach to languagesimilartothatoftheNIV.ItisalittlefreerinitslanguagethantheNIV,butitisnotaparaphraselikeitspredecessor,The.Living.Bible.

•. Today’s.New.International.Version.(producedbytheCommitteeonBibleTranslation and published by Zondervan), one of the newest versionsavailable. It is very similar to theNIV (only7percent isdifferent), buttakesamoregender-accurateapproach.

Manyotherfinetranslationsareavailabletoday,sochoosetheoneswithwhichyouwillbemostcomfortable.TwoorthreedifferentrecentBibletranslationswillgetyoustarted.

Two paraphrases are The. Living. Bible by Kenneth Taylor (Tyndale) and The.MessagebyEugenePeterson(NavPress).

3.An.exhaustive.concordance .ByfarthemostimportanttoolyouwillneedinBiblestudynexttoyourstudyBibleisaconcordancegearedtoyourprimaryBibleversion.ThistoolisaBibleindexofthewordscontainedinthatversion.AnumberofBibleshavelimitedconcordancesattheback,whichlistonlyafewofthemajorwordsandnames.An“exhaustive”concordancelistseveryusageofeverywordintheBibleandgivesallthereferenceswherethatwordmaybefound.

ExhaustiveconcordancesareavailabletodayforvariousversionsoftheBible.They are the descendants, adapted to more recent translations, of the originalStrong’s.Exhaustive.Concordance (variouspublishers) thatwascompiled for theKingJamesVersion.Twoofthesearethefollowing:

• The.Strongest.NIV.Exhaustive.Concordance(Zondervan)• The.Strongest.NASB.Exhaustive.Concordance(Zondervan)

Inaddition,thereisYoung’s.Analytical.Concordance.to.the.Bible(Eerdmans),which,likeStrong’s,originatedinthe19thcenturyandisbasedontheKingJamesVersion.Young’sisbetterthanStrong’sforwordstudiesbecauseofthewayitisorganized. All exhaustive concordances are large, bulky volumes that are fairlyexpensive,buttheyarewortheverypennyyouinvestinthem.


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Youwillneedaconcordanceinallbuttwoofthemethodspresentedinthisbook.

4. A. Bible. dictionary. and/or. Bible. encyclopedia . A Bible dictionary explainsmanyofthewords,topics,customs,andtraditionsintheBibleaswellasgivinghistorical,geographical,cultural,andarcheologicalinformation.Backgroundmate-rialisalsogivenforeachbookoftheBible,andshortbiographiesarepresentedforthemajorpeopleofbothtestaments.ABibleencyclopediaisanexpandedBibledictionary,withlongerarticlesthatdealingreaterdetailwithmoresubjects.Someofthebestare

•. Baker.Encyclopedia.of.the.Bible,2vols.(Baker)•. The.Complete.Book.of.When.and.Where.in.the.Bible(Tyndale)•. Holman.Illustrated.Bible.Dictionary,rev.ed.(Broadman&Holman)•. The.Illustrated.Bible.Dictionary,3vols.(Tyndale)•. Nelson’s.New.Illustrated.Bible.Dictionary(Nelson)•. New.Bible.Dictionary,3rded.(InterVarsityPress)•. Tyndale.Bible.Dictionary(Tyndale)•. The.Zondervan.Pictorial.Encyclopedia.of.the.Bible,5vols.(Zondervan)

5.A.topical.Bible .ThistoolissimilartoaconcordanceexceptthatitcategorizestheversesoftheBiblebytopicsinsteadofbywords.ThishelpsaBiblestudentbecauseaverseoftendealswithatopicwithouteverusingthespecificword.Ifyouhadtorelyonyourconcordancealone,youmightmissthoseverseswhenstudy-ingaparticularsubject.Forexample,ifyouweretolookupthesubject“Trinity”inNave’s.Topical.Bible,youwouldfind83referenceslisted,eventhoughtheactualworddoesnotappearintheBible.

Anotherhelpfulfeatureisthattheversesundereachtopicarewrittenoutinfull,whichallowsyoutoscanthekeyversesonatopicquicklywithouthavingtolookupeachoneinyourBible.Youmustnote,however,thatatopicalBibleisnotexhaustive,fornoteveryverserelatedtoatopicisnecessarilylisted.

ThestandardtopicalBiblefortheKingJamesVersionisNave’s.Topical.Bible(MoodyPress).BillyGrahamhassaidthatapartfromhisBible,thisisthebookhe

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usesmorethananyother.Foramorecontemporaryversion,seetheZondervan.NIV.Nave’s.Topical.Bible.

6.A.Bible.handbook .Thistoolisacombinationofanencyclopediaandacom-mentary inconcise form. It isused forquick referencewhile reading throughaparticular book of the Bible. Instead of being arranged by topics alphabetically,handbooksaredesignedtofollowtheorderofthebooksoftheBible.Theygivebackground notes and a brief running commentary and include maps, charts,archeologicalnotes,andmanyotherhelpfulfacts.Thebestonesare

•. Halley’s.Bible.Handbook.with.the.New.International.Version(Zondervan)•. Holman.Bible.Handbook(Broadman&Holman)•. The.New.Unger’s.Bible.Handbook(MoodyPress)•. Zondervan.Handbook.to.the.Bible,rev.ed.(Zondervan)

7.A.set.of.word.studies .Thisisoneareawheretoday’sChristianhasthegreatprivilegeofprofitingfromtheworkofBiblescholars.BecauseoftheavailabilityofpracticalreferencetoolswrittenfortheaverageChristian,youcannowstudytheoriginalwordsoftheBiblewithoutknowinganythingaboutHebreworGreek.Somemenhavespenttheirlivessearchingoutthefullmeaningsoftheoriginalwords,thenwritingabouttheminsimple,comprehensiblelanguage.

Agoodsetofwordstudieswillgiveyouthefollowinginformation:theoriginalrootmeaningof theGreekorHebrewword (itsetymology), thevarioususesofthewordthroughouttheBibleandinsimilarnonbiblicalliteratureofthathistoricalperiod,andthefrequencywithwhichthewordoccursintheBible.

Thesereferencetoolsrangefrominexpensiveone-volumeexpositorydiction-ariestoveryexpensive12-volumesets.Thesefourarerecommended:

•. The.Bible.Knowledge.Key.Word.Study:.New.Testament,3vols.(Victor)•. The.Bible.Knowledge.Key.Word.Study:.Old.Testament,4vols.(Victor)•. Expository.Dictionary.of.Bible.Words(Hendrickson)•. Kregel.Dictionary.of.the.Bible.and.Theology(Kregel)

8.Commentaries .AcommentaryisascholarlycollectionofexplanatorynotesandinterpretationsonthetextofaparticularBiblebookorsection.Itspurposeis


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toexplainandinterpretthemeaningofthebiblicalmessagebyanalyzingthewordsused,background,introduction,grammarandsyntax,andrelationofthatparticularbook to therestof theBible.Usedproperly,commentariescangreatly increaseyourunderstandingoftheBible.Generally,youshouldnotrefertoacommentaryuntilafteryouhavedoneyourownstudy.Don’tletsomeoneelserobyouofthejoyofdiscoveringbiblicalinsightsonyourown.NeverletreadingacommentarytaketheplaceofyourpersonalBiblestudy.

Because commentaries are written by people, they are fallible. Sometimesequallyablecommentatorsdisagreeon interpretationsof thesamebiblical text.Thebestwaytouseacommentaryistocheckyourownfindingswiththoseoftheauthors/commentatorsanddiscoverwhethertheyaresolidandevangelicalintheircommitment toScripture.BewareofbuyingandusingcommentarieswrittenbypeoplewhodonotregardtheBibleastheWordofGod.

Commentariescomeinallsizes,rangingfromonevolumecoveringthewholeBibletomultivolumesets.Herearesomegoodone-or-two-volumecommentaries:

•. Baker.Commentary.on.the.Bible(Baker)•. Bible.Knowledge.Commentary,2vols.(Victor)•. Expositor’s.Bible.Commentary:.Abridged.Edition,2vols.(Zondervan)•. Nelson’s.New.Illustrated.Bible.Commentary(Nelson)•. New.Bible.Commentary:.Twenty-First.Century.Edition(InterVarsityPress)

Commentary series with more volumes include the following. Some series areincomplete,withsomevolumesstilltobepublished.

•. The.Bible.Exposition.Commentary,4vols.(Victor)•. Cornerstone.Biblical.Commentary,18vols.(Tyndale)•. Expositor’s.Bible.Commentary,13vols.(Zondervan)•. Holman.New.Testament.Commentary(Broadman&Holman)•. Holman.Old.Testament.Commentary(Broadman&Holman)•. New.American.Commentary,44vols.(Broadman&Holman)•. The.NIV.Application.Commentary,23vols.OldTestament,20vols.New

Testament(Zondervan)

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a Basic liBrary

Aperson justbeginningpersonalBible studyshouldobtainonly thebasic toolsnecessarytogetstarted.FortheBiblestudymethodspresentedinthisbook,thefollowingcomposeabasiclibrary:

1. AstudyBible 2. TworecentBibleversions 3. Anexhaustiveconcordance 4. ABibledictionary 5. AtopicalBible 6. ABiblehandbook 7. Aone-or-two-volumecommentary

a more aDvanceD liBrary

As you become proficient in your personal Bible study and feel comfortable inusing the tools in your basic library, youmightwant to begin adding advancedtools to your collection. In addition to the above seven tools, the following arerecommended:

1. Additionalversionsandparaphrases 2. ABibleencyclopedia 3. Asetofwordstudies 4. IndividualcommentariesonBiblebooks 5. ABibleatlas 6. OldandNewTestamentsurveys 7. Any additional books that interest you, perhaps some listed in the

bibliography

conclusion

Atthisstageyoumightbethinking,That’s.a.lot.of.books!Youareabsolutelyright,butthinkofthemaslong-terminvestmentsinyourspirituallife.Manybooksyou


2�

buyarereadonce,thenputontheshelftogatherdust.ButreferencebooksareusedoverandoveragainasyoustudytheBible,andtheycangivealifetimeofenjoyment.IfyouareseriousaboutpersonalBiblestudy,youwillwanttoacquirethesetoolsregardlessofcost.

Startsavingmoneytobuythesetools,andbeginwiththebasiclibrary.Ifyouwillsetagoalofbuyingonebookamonth,inayear’stimeyouwillhavearespect-ableandvaluablecollectionofreferencetools.YoumightalsoconsideraskingfortheseasChristmasorbirthdaygifts.Abookyouuseisagiftthatlastsalifetime.

Finally, encourage your church to set up a section of Bible study referencetoolsinitslibrary.Thechurchcouldpurchasethemoreexpensivetools,suchastheencyclopedias,wordstudies,andcommentarysets,thenmakethemavailabletoitsmembers.Inlargerchurches,thelibrarycouldpossiblyobtainseveralcopiesofeachtool.

BecausetheBible isGod’sWord,Biblestudymusthavea toppriority.WiththesetoolsyouwillbeabletodigintotheScriptureseffectively,anall-importantendeavorthatwillchangeyourlife.

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PRevieW Of THe 12 BiBLe sTUDY MeTHODs

Thisbookpresentsandexplains12provenBiblestudymethodsthatwillenableyoutostudytheBibleonyourown.Theyaregivenintheorderofsimplicityanduseofreferencetools,beginningwiththeeasiestandmovingontotheharderones.

1.The.Devotional.Method .SelectashortportionofyourBibleandprayerfullymeditateonituntiltheHolySpiritshowsyouawaytoapplythetruthtoyourlife.Writeoutapersonalapplication.

2.The.Chapter.Summary.Method .readachapterofaBiblebookthroughatleastfivetimes;thenwritedownasummaryofthecentralthoughtsyoufindinit.

3.The.Character.Quality.Method .ChooseacharacterqualityyouwouldliketoworkoninyourlifeandstudywhattheBiblesaysaboutit.

4.The.Thematic.Method .SelectaBiblethemetostudy.Thenthinkofthree-to-fivequestionsyou’dliketohaveansweredaboutthattheme.Nextstudyallthereferencesyoucanfindonyourthemeandrecordtheanswerstoyourquestions.

5. The. Biographical. Method . Select a Bible character and research all theversesaboutthatpersoninordertostudyhislifeandcharacteristics.Makenotesonhisattitudes,strengths,andweaknesses.Thenapplywhatyouhavelearnedtoyourownlife.

6.The.Topical.Method .Collectandcomparealltheversesyoucanfindonaparticulartopic.Organizeyourconclusionsintoanoutlinethatyoucansharewithanotherperson.

7.The.Word.Study.Method .StudytheimportantwordsoftheBible.FindouthowmanytimesawordoccursinScriptureandhowitisused.Findouttheoriginalmeaningoftheword.

Preview.of.the.12.Bible.Study.Methods

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8.The.Book.Background.Method .Studyhowhistory,geography,culture,sci-ence,andpoliticsaffectedwhathappenedinBibletimes.UseBiblereferencebookstoincreaseyourunderstandingoftheWord.

9.The.Book.Survey.Method .SurveyanentirebookoftheBiblebyreadingitthroughseveral timestogetageneraloverviewof itssubjectmatter.Studythebackgroundofthebookandmakenotesonitscontents.

10.The.Chapter.Analysis.Method .MasterthecontentsofachapterofabookoftheBiblebytakinganin-depthlookateachverseinthatchapter.Takeeachverseapartwordbyword,observingeverydetail.

11.The.Book.Synthesis.Method .SummarizethecontentsandmainthemesofabookoftheBibleafteryouhavereaditthroughseveraltimes.Makeanoutlineofthebook.ThismethodcanbedoneafteryouhaveusedtheBookSurveyMethodandtheChapterAnalysisMethodoneverychapterofthatbook.

12.The.Verse-by-Verse.Analysis.Method .SelectonepassageofScriptureandexamineitindetailbyaskingquestions,findingcross-references,andparaphras-ingeachverse.recordapossibleapplicationofeachverseyoustudy.

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Aswehavealreadyseen inthe introduction, theultimategoalofallBiblestudyisapplication,notinterpretation.SinceGodwantstochangeourlivesthroughhisWord, it is importantto learnhowtoapplyScripturetoour livesbeforelearninganyothermethodsofBiblestudy.Infact,thetechniquesyoulearninthischapterwillbeusedineachofthefollowingstudymethods.regardlessofthemethodyouchoosetouse,attheendofeachstudyyouwillneedtomakepracticalstepsofapplicationconcerningthethingstheLordshowsyou.(Inthisbook,everytimewetalkaboutapplication,referbacktothismethodforanexplanation.)

Whenyouusethesetechniquesbythemselves(andnotwithanothermethod),itiscalled“TheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudy.”Thisisthetypeofsimplestudythatyoucanuseinyourquiettime.

Definition

TheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudyinvolvestakingapassageoftheBible,largeorsmall,andprayerfullymeditatingonituntiltheHolySpiritshowsyouawayto

THe DevOTiOnaL MeTHOD Of

BiBLe sTUDY1How to Apply Scripture to Life

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applyitstruthtoyourownlifeinawaythatispersonal,practical,possible,andprovable.Thegoal is foryouto takeseriously theWordofGodand“dowhat itsays”(James1:22).

Why aPPlication is imPortant

TheBiblewasgiventoustoshowushowwecanhavearelationshipwithAlmightyGodandhowwearetoliveourliveshiswayinthisworld.ItwasgiventochangeourlivestobecomemorelikethatofJesusChrist.TheapostlePauldeclaredthatitisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correcting,andtrainingthebelieverinrighteousliving(2Tim.3:16).

TheBible isapracticalbook, for it isconcernedwithpracticalgodly living.Biblestudywithoutpersonalapplicationcanbejustanacademicexercisewithnospiritualvalue.TheBiblewaswrittentobeappliedtoourlives.InhissuccinctwayHowardHendrickshassaid,“Interpretationwithoutapplication isabortion!”WewanttonoteherethatapplicationisnecessaryforourChristianlives,thatitishardwork,andthatgoodapplicationsarepossibleifwefollowsomebasicprinciples.

aPPlication is necessary for our lives

StudyoftheWordofGodshouldleadtoitsapplicationinourlives,withtheresultthattheScriptureschangeustoconformmorewiththewillofGod.

Step One — Pray for Insight on How to Apply the Passage

Step twO — Meditate on the Verse(s) You Have Chosen to Study

Step three — Write Out an Application

Step FOur — Memorize a Key Verse from Your Study

The.Devotional.Method.of.Bible.Study

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1.You.can’t.really.get.to.know.the.Word.of.God.unless.you.apply.it.to.your.life .DuringhisministryJesushadanumberofencounterswiththereligiousleadersofhistime.ThesewereprimarilythePharisees,theacknowledgedscholarsoftheday;thescribes,legalandreligiousexpertsinJewishlaw;andtheSadducees,theliber-alizingelementinJewishsocietyatthattime.OnoneoccasiontheSadducees,whodidnotbelieveintheresurrectionfromthedead,askedJesusatrickquestion.

Jesus’answerisindeedinteresting.Hesaidtothem,“YouareinerrorbecauseyoudonotknowtheScripturesorthepowerofGod”(Matt.22:29).TheSadduceeshadanintellectualknowledgeofthefactsoftheJewishScriptures(ourOldTesta-ment),buttheydidnotapplytheseprinciplesinapersonalway.

YoucanbeawalkingBibleencyclopedia,withyourheadcrammedfullofbibli-calknowledge,butitwon’tdoyouanygoodifyoudon’tapplyitpracticallyindailyliving.IfyoustudytheWordofGodwithoutapplyingittoyourlife,youarenobet-teroffthanthePhariseesandSadduceesofJesus’day.Youreallydon’tknowtheScripturesuntilyouputthemintopractice.

2.Studying.the.Word.of.God.can.be.dangerous.if.you.merely.study.it.without.applying.it .Biblestudywithoutapplicationcanbedangerousbecause.knowledge.puffs.up .TheapostlePaulstated,“Knowledgepuffsup,butlovebuildsup”(1Cor.8:1).TheGreekwordtranslated“puffsup”containstheideaofbeinginflatedwithpridethat inturnleadstoarrogance.TheBibletellsusthatthedevilknowstheWord intellectually (see his temptation of Jesus—Matt. 4:1–11), and we alsoknowthatheispuffedupwithprideandisarrogant.WhenyoucorrectlyapplytheWordofGodtoyourlife,youeliminatethedangerofbeingpuffedupwithpride.

Biblestudywithoutapplicationcanbedangerousbecause.knowledge.requires.action .Whatamanknowsshouldfindexpressioninwhathedoes.Jamesdeclared,“Donotmerely listen to theword,andsodeceiveyourselves.Dowhat itsays”(James1:22).God’scommandsarenotoptional.Hedoesn’tsay,“Pleasewon’tyouconsiderdoingthis?”Hecommands,“Doit!”Andheexpectsustoobey.

IntheSermonontheMount,Jesuscomparedanobedientdiscipletoawiseman: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them intopractice[action]islikeawisemanwhobuilthishouseontherock”(Matt.7:24).Whenthetrialsoflifecamealong,thewiseman’slifestoodfirmwhilethefoolish

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man’s—theonewhodidnotpracticewhatheknew—camecrashingdown(Matt.7:25–27).Also,KingDavidwasknownasamanafterGod’sownheartbecauseheappliedtheWordtohislifeandpracticedwhatheknew.Thepsalmistwrote,“Ihaveconsideredmywaysandhaveturnedmystepstoyourstatutes.Iwillhastenandnotdelaytoobeyyourcommands”(Ps.119:59–60).You,too,needtoputwhatyouknowintoaction.

Biblestudywithoutapplicationcanbedangerousbecause.knowledge.increases.responsibility . Ifyougetseriousaboutstudying theBible,youwillbeheldmoreaccountable than the average person, because with added knowledge comesaddedresponsibility.Jameswrote,“Anyone,then,whoknowsthegoodheoughttodoanddoesn’tdoit,sins”(James4:17).WithadeeperknowledgeoftheScrip-turescomesastrongerjudgmentifyoufailtoapplythem.WhenyoustartstudyingtheBible,Godbeginsshowingyouareasofyourlifethatneedchangingandcallsyoutogreaterresponsibility. IfyouarenotplanningonapplyingthelessonsyoureceivefromyourBiblestudy,itwouldbebetterforyoutonotstudytheBibleatall!Youwilljustbeheapingmorejudgmentonyourself!

JohnMilton,agreatChristianpoet, is reputed tohavesaid,“TheendofalllearningistoknowGod,andoutofthatknowledgetoloveandimitateHim.”ThatsumsupwhatwearetalkingaboutinapplyingourstudyofScripture:wearetoknowGod,lovehim,andthenbelikehim.

aPPlication is harD Work

ItwouldseemthatapplyingtheBiblewouldbefairlysimple,butactuallyitisthehardestpartofBiblestudy.Whyisthat?Applicationdoesn’thappenbyaccident.Wehavetoplanforit,oritwillnevercomeabout.Threethingsthatmakeapply-ingScripturetoourlivessodifficultarethatitrequiresthinking,thedevilfightsitviciously,andwenaturallyresistchange.

1.Application.is.hard.work.because.it.requires.serious.thinking .Sometimesittakesalongperiodofmeditation(concentrated,prayerfulthinking)beforeweseeawaytoapplyatruthofScripturewehavestudied.Sometimesitmaymeanlook-ingbeneathatemporaryruletoseeatimelessprincipleinthetext.Sometimesit


37

meanslookingbeyondalocalcustomtoseeauniversalinsight.Allthistakestimeandconcentrationthatwemaybehesitantandreluctanttogive.

2.Application.is.hard.work.because.Satan.fights.it.viciously .Thedevil’sstron-gestattacksoftencomeinyourquiettimewhenyouaretryingtoapplywhatyouhavestudied.SatanknowsthataslongasyouarecontentwithmerelyhavingheadknowledgeoftheWord,youarenotmuchofathreattohisplans.Butassoonasyougetseriousaboutmakingsomechangesinyourlife,hewillfightyoutoothandnail.HehatesdoersoftheWord.HewillletyoustudytheBibleallyoudesireaslongasyoudon’taskyourself,“NowwhatamIgoingtodowithallthatI’velearned?”

3.Application.is.hard.work.because.we.naturally.resist.change ..Oftenwedon’t“feel”likechanging,whichiswhattrueapplicationrequires.Welivebyouremo-tionsratherthanbyourwills,forwearecontenttostaythewayweare.WehearChristianssayingtheydon’tfeellikestudyingtheBibleortheydon’tfeellikepray-ingortheydon’tfeellikewitnessing.FeelinghasnothingtodowithlivingtheChris-tianlife,forfeelingscomeandgo.ThekeytospiritualmaturityistoliveforJesusChristnotbecausewefeelgood,butbecauseweknowitistherightthingtodo.IhavediscoveredthatiftheonlytimeIstudytheBible,pray,orwitnessiswhenI.feellikeit,thedevilmakessureIneverfeellikeit!

YouapplytheWordofGodtoyourlifenotbecauseyoumayfeellikeitthatdayorweek,butbecauseyouknowGodexpectsitofyou.AppliedBiblestudyasanactofthewillleadstomaturityandisabasisforstabilityinyourChristianlife.

four stePs to Practical aPPlication

WhenyoudoadevotionalBiblestudy,followfoursimplesteps.Thesestepscanbesummarizedinthewordspray,.meditate,.apply,andmemorize .

Step One Pray for Insight on How to Apply the Passage

AskGodtohelpyouapplytheScriptureyouarestudyingandshowyouspecificallywhathewantsyoutodo.YoualreadyknowthatGodwantsyoutodotwothings:obeyhisWordandshareitwithothers.InyourprayertellGodthatyouarereadytoobeywhathewillshowyouandthatyouarewillingtosharethatapplicationwithothers.

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Step twO Meditate on the Verse(s) You Have Chosen to Study

MeditationisthekeytodiscoveringhowtoapplyScripturetoyourlife.Medita-tionisessentiallythoughtdigestion.YoutakeathoughtGodgivesyou,putitinyourmind,andthinkonitoverandoveragain.Meditationmaybecomparedtorumination;that’swhatacowdoeswhenitchewsitscud. Iteatssomegrassandsendsittoitsfirststomach;thenitliesdown,bringsthegrassup,chewsonit,andswallowsitagain.Thisprocessofdigestionisrepeatedthreetimes.ScripturalmeditationisreadingapassageintheBible,thenconcentratingonitindifferentways.HereareseveralpracticalwaysyoucanmeditateonapassageofScripture:

Visualize.the.scene.of.the.narrative.in.your.mind .Putyourself intothebibli-calsituationandtrytopictureyourselfasanactiveparticipant.Whetheryouarereading thehistoricalbooksof theOldTestament, theGospels,or thebookofActs,imagineyourselfinthathistoricalcontext.Askyourselfhowyouwouldfeelifyouwereinvolvedinthatsituation.Whatwouldyousay?Whatwouldyoudo?

IfyouarestudyingJohn4,forexample,visualizeyourselfasbeingrighttherewithJesus, thewomanat thewell, thedisciples,andthe inhabitantsofSychar.HowwouldyoufeelifyouweretheonewhomJesusaskedforadrinkofwateratthewellnearSychar?Whatwouldyouremotionsbeifyouwereoneofthediscipleswhowitnessedthisincident?

Anotherexampleof visualization inmeditation is to imagineyourself as theapostlePaulinprisonwritingtheletterweknowas2Timothy.Pictureyourselfinthatromanjail,condemnedtodeathandawaitingexecution,andaloneexceptforLuke.Feel the lonelinessPaulmusthavefelt,butalsofeel thetriumphhemusthavefeltashewrote,“Ihavefoughtthegoodfight,Ihavefinishedtherace,Ihavekeptthefaith”(2Tim.4:7).Whenyoustartvisualizingascene,Scripturecomestremendouslyalivetoyou.

Emphasize. words. in. the. passage. under. study . read through a verse aloudseveraltimes,eachtimeemphasizingadifferentword,andwatchnewmeaningsdevelop.Forinstance,ifyouaremeditatingonPhilippians4:13,youwouldempha-sizethewordsasfollows:


3�

“Icandoeverythingthroughhimwhogivesmestrength.”“I.CANdoeverythingthroughhimwhogivesmestrength.”“IcanDOeverythingthroughhimwhogivesmestrength.”“IcandoEVERYTHINGthroughhimwhogivesmestrength.”“IcandoeverythingTHROUGHhimwhogivesmestrength.”“IcandoeverythingthroughHIMwhogivesmestrength.”“IcandoeverythingthroughhimWHOgivesmestrength.”“IcandoeverythingthroughhimwhoGIVESmestrength.”“IcandoeverythingthroughhimwhogivesMEstrength.”“IcandoeverythingthroughhimwhogivesmeSTRENGTH .”

You will get 10 different meanings from this verse as you go through andemphasizeadifferentwordeachtime.

Paraphrase.the.passage.under.study .Taketheverseorpassageyouarestudy-ingandrephraseitinyourownwords.Asyouthinkonit,usecontemporarywordsandphrasestoexpresstimelessbiblicaltruths.The.Living.BibleandEugenePeter-son’sThe.MessagearetwoexamplesofparaphrasesofScripture.

Personalize. the.passage.you.are.studying .ThiscanbedonebyputtingyournameinplaceofthepronounsornounsusedinScripture.Forexample,John3:16wouldread,“ForGodsolovedRick.WarrenthathegavehisoneandonlySonthatifRickbelievesinhimheshallnotperishbuthaveeternallife.”

Use.the.S-P-A-C-E.P-E-T-S.acrostic .Thisacrostic isausefulaidtomedita-tion.Eachletterrepresentsaquestionthatcanhelpyouapplythepassagetoyourlife.Ifyoumemorizetheninequestionsthatthisacrosticrepresents,youwillhavethemavailableeverytimeyouwanttomeditateonapassage.Thisacrosticasks:Isthereany...

• Sintoconfess?DoIneedtomakeanyrestitution?• promisetoclaim?Isitauniversalpromise?HaveImetthecondition(s)?• Attitudetochange?AmIwillingtoworkonanegativeattitudeandbegin

buildingtowardapositiveone?• Commandtoobey?AmIwillingtodoitnomatterhowIfeel?• exampletofollow?Isitapositiveexampleformetocopy,oranegative

onetoavoid?

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• prayertopray?IsthereanythingIneedtopraybacktoGod?• errortoavoid?IsthereanyproblemthatIshouldbealerttoorbewareof?• truthtobelieve?WhatnewthingscanIlearnaboutGodtheFather,Jesus

Christ,theHolySpirit,orotherbiblicalteachings?• SomethingtopraiseGodfor?IstheresomethinghereIcanbethankful

for?

Pray.the.verse.or.passage.back.to.God .Putthepassageunderstudyintothefirstpersonsingular, turn it intoaprayer,andpray itback toGod.ThebookofPsalmsisagoodexampleofthismethodofmeditation.BillGothardhassaidthatDavidmemorizedthelawofGod,thenpersonalizeditandgaveitbacktoGodinthePsalms.

AnexampleofthismethodofmeditationmaybeseenintheuseofthefirstthreeversesofPsalm23:

Thankyou,Lord,forbeingmyShepherd,andthatIlacknothing.Thank you for making me lie down in green pastures, for leading me

besidethequietwaters,forrestoringmysoul.Thankyouforguidingmeinthepathsofrighteousnessforyourname’s

sake.

Whichoneofthesemethodsshouldyouuseinyourmeditation?Theonethatbestfitswhatyouarestudying,oracombinationofthem.IfyouarestudyingthebookofProverbs,forexample,itmaybedifficulttovisualizeasceneinyourmind,butyoucanemphasizethewordsandpraysomeoftheteachingsbacktoGod.

Step three Write Out an Application

Writeanapplicationoftheinsightsyouhavediscoveredthroughyourmeditation.Writingyourapplicationoutonpaperhelpsyoubespecific.Ifyoudon’twritesome-thingdown,youwill soon forget it.This isparticularlynecessarywhenyouaredealingwithaspiritualtruth.Ifyoucan’tputitdownonpaper,youhaven’treallythought it through. It’s been proven that if you write something down, you willrememberitlongerandbeabletoexpresstootherswhatyouhavelearned.


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Youneedtorememberfourfactorsinwritingoutagoodapplication:

1. Yourapplicationshouldbepersonal—youshouldwriteitinthefirstpersonsingular.UsethepersonalpronounsI,.me,.my,andminethroughout.

2. Yourapplicationshouldbepractical—itoughttobesomethingyoucando .Planadefinitecourseofactionthatyouintendtotake.Designaper-sonalprojectthatwillencourageyoutobea“doeroftheWord.”Makeyourapplicationsasspecificaspossible.Generalitiescanmakeyoufeelhelplessandproducelittleaction.

3. Yourapplicationshouldbepossible—itshouldbesomethingyouknowyoucanaccomplish.Otherwiseyouwillgetdiscouraged.

4. Yourapplicationshouldbeprovable.—.youmustsetupsomesortoffol-low-uptocheckuponyoursuccessindoingit.Ithastobemeasurablesoyouwillknowthatyouhavedoneit.Thismeansyouwillhavetosetsomekindoftimelimitonyourapplication.

ThefollowingexampleofthesefourfactorsistakenfromEcclesiastes6:7.Thepassagereads,“Allman’seffortsareforhismouth,yethisappetiteisneversatis-fied.”Thefourfactorsinthewrittenapplicationwouldlookasfollows:

1. Personal:“Ineedto...” 2. Practical:“Ineedtolosesomeweight.” 3. Possible:“Ineedtolose10pounds.” 4. Provable:“Ineedtolose10poundsbeforetheendofthemonth.”

Tohelpyoucarryoutthiskindofapplication,tellafriendorsomeoneinthefam-ilyaboutitwhowilloccasionallycheckuponyourprogressinanencouragingway.

recordapplicationsforfutureuseaswellaspresentneeds.Whatifyoufindanapplicationthatdoesnotapplytoyouatthatparticulartime?Youarestudyingapas-sagethathastodowithdeathandhowyoucanovercomegriefandsorrow,butthisisnotyourproblemnow.Whatdoyoudowiththeseverses?Writethemdownanyway,fortworeasons.First,theapplicationmightbeneededinthefuturewhenanothersituationcomesintoyourlife.Second,itmighthelpyouministertosomeoneelsewhoisinthatsituation.Askyourself,“HowcanIusethisversetohelpsomeoneelse?”

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Step FOur Memorize a Key Verse from Your Study

Sothatyoucancontinuetomeditateonthepassageyouareapplying,andtohelpremindyouofyourproject,memorizeaversethatisakeytotheapplicationyouhavewritten.

SometimesGodwillworkononeareaofyourlifeforseveralweeksorevenmonths.Ittakestimetochangeingrainedcharactertraits,habits,andattitudes.Newhabitsandwaysofthinkingarenotsetinoneday.WemustbeawareofthisandbewillingtoletGodcontinuetoreinforceanewtruthinourlives.Weshouldnotfoolourselvesbythinkingthatwritingoutoneapplicationwillbeamagicfor-mulathatwillproduceinstantchange.rather,itmustbethoughtofaspartoftheprocessofgrowth.Thememorizedversewillhelpinthatprocessbecauseitwilleverbewithus—“intheheart.”

Ononeoccasionmyapplicationwastoworkonthequalityofsensitivity.IttookseveralmonthsforGodtobuildthatqualityintomylife.Ineededtoseehowthisqualityrelatedtoallareasofmylife.HekeptputtingmeintosituationswhereIwastemptedtodotheopposite—beinsensitive.Hemaydothesamewithyou.Godmayteachyoutoloveothersbyputtingyouinthemidstofunlovelypeople.Youmayhavetolearnpatiencewhileexperiencingirritations,andlearnpeaceinthemidstofchaos.Youarethendiscoveringhowtohavejoyevenintimesofsorrowandtesting.YoumustrealizethatwhenGodwantstobuildapositivequalityinyourlife,hemustallowyoutoencountersituationswhereyoucanchoosetodotherightthinginsteadoffollowingyournaturalinclinations.

summary

TheultimatetestbywhichwestudyandapplyScriptureisthepersonofJesusChrist.Wehavetoask,“DoesthisapplicationhelpmebecomemorelikeJesus?”

AmansawhisneighborcomingoutofachurchoneSundaymorning.Heaskedthechurchgoer,“Isthesermondone?”

Theneighborwiselyreplied,“No.Itwaspreached,butithasyettobedone.”Ifwedonotapply thebiblical insightsGodgivesus,webecomespiritually

hardenedandcallous.WebecomedulltotheconvictingworkoftheHolySpiritin


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ourlives.ApplicationofGod’sWordisvitallynecessarytoourspiritualhealthandourgrowthinChristianmaturity.

HOWTOFILLINTHEDEVOTIONALSTUDYFOrM

At the end of this chapter is a Devotional Study Form that you may reproduceforusingthismethod.Oryoumayuseablanksheetofpaperonwhichyouhavemarkedoffthesuggesteddivisions.

Filling Out the Form

Fillinthepreliminaryinformation:

• Date:[Writedownthedatethatyoudothisstudy.]• Passage: [Write down the book, chapter, and verse(s) that you are

studying.]

Fillinthefourpartsoftheform.

• Prayer:Checktheboxafteryouhaveprayedforinsight.• Meditation: Write out your thoughts using whichever method you

employ.• Application:Writeoutanapplicationthatispersonal,practical,possible,

andprovable.• Memorization:Writeoutthememoryverseyouplantolearn,inthever-

sionofyourchoice.

Sample Filled-out Form

Seetheexamplesonpages45and46.

Assignment

ThefollowingpassagesaresuggestedasbeginningstudytextsfortheDevotionalMethod.

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• Psalm15• Psalm34• romans12• 1Thessalonians5:12–22• 1John4

For Further Reading

Thefollowinglistofbooksandpamphletsarehelpfulaidsforestablishingaregularquiettime.TheycontainsomepracticalinformationondevelopingadailyhabitofspendingtimeinadevotionalstudyofGod’sWord.

Appointment.with.God.bytheNavigators(NavPress)“How.to.Have.a.Meaningful.Quiet.Time”.byrickWarren(AppendixAofthisbook)Meditation:.The.Bible.Tells.You.How.byJimDowning(NavPress)A.Primer.on.Meditation.byrobertD.Foster(ChallengeBooks)Seven.Minutes.with.God.byrobertD.Foster(ChallengeBooks)Studying,.Interpreting,.and.Applying.the.Bible.byWalterA.HenrichsenandGayleJackson,

chap.13(Zondervan)

DevOTiOnaL sTUDY fORM

45

Date:June30 paSSage:Luke12:22–26

1. prayer ˛ (check when done)

2. MeDitatiOn Thisismypersonalizedparaphrase.

Ishouldn’tworrysomuch.Godwilltakecareofallmyneeds.SinceGodgavememylife,surelyIcantrusthimtosustainit.Icanlearnfromtheexampleofbirds:theydon’tworryaboutthefuture.Godtakescareofthemona.daily.basis.AndifGodtakescareofthebirds,ofcoursehewilltakecareofme!Besides,worryingneverdoesmeanygood.Itneverreallychangesthesitua-tion.Sowhat’stheuseofworrying?None!

CommandtoObey:Don’t.worry!(v.22)

PromisetoClaim:God.will.take.care.of.me!(v.24)

3. applicatiOn

Ineedtoapplythislessonintheareaofourfamilyfinances.

For this nextmonth (I’ll take it onemonth at a time) every time thedeviltemptsmetoworryaboutourbills, I’ll resist that thoughtbyquotingLuke12:24aloud .

4. MeMOrizatiOn

“Considertheravens:Theydonotsoworreap,theyhavenostoreroomorbarn;yetGodfeedsthem.Andhowmuchmorevaluableyouarethanbirds!”(Luke12:24)

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DevOTiOnaL sTUDY fORMDate:July10 paSSage:Judges6:1–18

1. prayer ˛ (check when done)

2. MeDitatiOn ThispassageisonthecallofGideon.

lessons (truths to Believe)• WhenGodwantstoaccomplishsomething,helooksforpeopletouse.• Godoftenusesthemostunexpectedpeople.• Godcanshowhisstrengthbestthroughourweaknesses.• God’spowerinusistheanswertoourinadequacies.

Sin to confess/attitude to change

Lord,forgivemefornotbeingwillingtobeusedbyyou.I’vefeltthatyoucouldn’tusemebecauseofmyweaknesses. I’veusedmy inadequacyasanexcuseforlaziness.Helpmerememberthattrustinginmyselfwillcausefailure,butrelyingonyourstrengthinmewillbringvictory.Usemyweaknessestobringglorytoyourself.

3. applicatiOn

I’vebeenafraid toacceptmychurch’s invitation to teachaSundayschoolclass.I’vemadeupexcusesfornottakingthepositionbecauseIfeltinad-equate.ButIknowGodwantsmetoteachthatclass,soI’mgoingtotellmypastorI’llaccepttheresponsibility.

4. MeMOrizatiOn

rememberwhatGodtoldGideon:“Iwillbewithyou”(v.16).

DevOTiOnaL sTUDY fORM

47

Date: paSSage:

1. prayer ® (check when done)

2. MeDitatiOn

3. applicatiOn

4. MeMOrizatiOn

4�

TheBibleasitwasoriginallywrittenhadnochapterorversedivisions.Infact,itwasn’tuntilA.D.1228thatBishopStephenLangtonaddedthechapterdivisions.ThesewereaddedtomakethevarioussectionsoftheBiblemoreaccessibletothereaders.Someofthesedivisionsarearbitraryandinterrupttheflowofawriter’smessage.Usually,however,theyprovidegoodbreakingpointsthatarehelpfulinBiblestudy.

Accordingtothesedivisions,thereare1,189chaptersintheBible.Ifyoustud-iedonechaptereachday,youcouldreadthroughtheScripturesinjustoverthreeyears.Ifyousummarizedtwochaptersaday,youcouldfinishinabout20months.Thispaceiscertainlynotrecommended,becauseyoucouldquicklygetboredwiththestudymethod.Instead,selectrandomchaptersofScripturethatyouwanttostudyandusethesummarymethodonthosepassages;oruseadifferentmethodforvariety.

Definition

TheChapterSummaryMethodofBibleStudy involvesgainingageneralunder-standingofthecontentsofachapteroftheBiblebyreadingitthroughatleastfive

2How to Begin Understanding

Chapters of a Book of the Bible

THe cHaPTeR sUMMaRY MeTHOD

Of BiBLe sTUDY

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times,askingaseriesofcontentquestions,andsummarizingthecentralthoughtsofthepassage.(ThismethodshouldnotbeconfusedwiththeBookSurveyandChapterAnalysismethods—chapters9and10.)

Why this methoD is imPortant

ThismethodisimportantbecauseitenablesyoutobeginunderstandingchaptersofthebooksoftheBible. It isapopularmethodforthosebeginningBiblestudybecausechaptersareusuallyfairlyshort,anditdoesnotrequiredeepstudytodoachaptersummary.Itisavaluablemethodbecauseitcanbequicklylearnedbyabrand-newChristianorsomeoneelsewhoisinterestedindoingmeaningfulBiblestudy. It isanexcellentmethodwithwhich tobegina lifetimeofpersonalBiblestudyforfourreasons.

1..This.method. is.easy. to. learn .Youcanbeginpracticing itassoonasyouunderstandthe10basicstepsthatfollowinthenextsection.Thestudyformandexampleattheendofthechaptershouldhelpyou.

2..This.method.does.not.take.much.time .Dependingonthelengthofthechap-teryouarestudying,youcancompleteachaptersummaryin20to30minutes.Thisisespeciallytrueifthechaptercontainsahistoricalnarrative—partsoftheOldTestament,theGospels,andthebookofActs,forexample.Youwillhavetospendmoretime,however,inthePsalms,thepropheticbooks,andthedoctrinallettersoftheNewTestament.

3.. This.method.does.not. require.any.outside.helps.or. reference. tools,.but. it.is.necessary.to.memorize.the.ten.steps .Thenyoucandoachaptersummaryinanysituationatany time,usingyourBibleandapieceofpaper.Wheneveryouhave extra time to spend—as in a doctor’s waiting room, a bus depot, or anairport—thisisthemethodtouse.PickabookoftheBible,startwithchapter1,andbeginrecordingyourdiscoveries.IliketousethismethodwhenIgotoaretreatandcannottakemyreferencetoolswithme.

4..This.method.is.a.good.type.of.study.to.use.when.you.are.engaged.in.a.rapid.reading.survey.through.the.Bible .Youcanmakeinitialnotesasyoureadeachchap-terbyusingtheChapterSummaryForm.

The.Chapter.Summary.Method.of.Bible.Study

51

ten easy stePs for Doing a chaPter summary

Inpreparingtofill inthestudyformforthismethodofBiblestudy,read.through.the.chapter.at.least.five.times .YouwillfindnobetterwaytogetacquaintedwithachapteroftheBiblethantoreaditoverandoveragain.ThemoretimesyoureadapassageofScripture,themoreitwillcomealivetoyou.ManyChristiansmissthegreatinsightsofScripturebecausetheyfailtoreadandrereaditspassages.

ThegreatBibleexpositorG.CampbellMorganwasfamousforhispowerful,excitingsermons.WhenaskedforthesecretofhisabilitytocommunicateGod’sWord,herepliedthathemadeitahabit toreadachapterorpassage30or40timesbeforehebeganworkingonitforasermon.Itisnowonderhissermonswereexcitingandmeaningful.

HerearesometipsonhowtoreadachapteroftheBible:

•. Read.it.in.a.Bible.without.notes .IfyoutryusingthismethodbyreadingaBibleinwhichyouhavemadenotes,youwillhavethetendencytocon-centrateonthesameideas.LetGodspeaktoyouinafreshwayandgiveyounewinsights.

•. Read.it.without.stopping .Duringyourfirstfewreadings,don’tstopinthemiddleofachapter,butreaditfromstarttofinish.Yourgoalistofeelthe

Step One — Caption

Step twO — Contents

Step three — Chief People

Step FOur — Choice Verse

Step Five — Crucial Word(s)

Step Six — Challenges

Step Seven — Cross-References

Step eight — Christ Seen

Step nine — Central Lesson(s)

Step ten — Conclusion

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flowofthechapter,sodon’tbeconcernedwiththedetailsattheoutset.Trytocapturethecentralmessageandthewriter’soveralltheme.

•. Read.it.in.several.different.contemporary.translations .Thiswillgiveyouadditionalinsightsasyouseehoweachtranslatorrenderedtheoriginalwriting.Makenotesontheinterestingdifferencesyoufind.

•. Read.it.aloud.quietly.to.yourself .Ifyouhaveaproblemwithconcentration,thiswill help tremendouslybecause youwill behearing yourself read.Manypeoplehavefoundthatreadingaloudhelpsthembetterfocustheirattentiononthetext.

Asyouarerereadingthechapter,begin lookingforthefollowing10specificthingsandwriteyouranswersonyourChapterSummaryFormoronablankpieceofpaper.Youmayfillinthe10Csinanyorder,savingStepTenforthelaststep.The10partsofyourstudyare

aptionontentshief Peoplehoice Verserucial Word(s)hallengesross-Referenceshrist Seenentral Lesson(s)onclusion

Step One Caption

Givethechapterashort,descriptivetitle.Theshorterthetitle,themorelikelyyouwillrememberit.Infact,ifyouusethismethodoneverychapterinaselectedbookoftheBible,youcanrememberthecontentsofthewholebookbymemorizingyourchaptertitles.Useonewordifpossible(1Corinthains13mightbetitled“Love”)

c


53

andfivewordsatmost(Hebrews11couldbe“HeroesoftheFaith”).Trytofindthekeywordofthechapterandfititintoyourtitle.

Ifyourtitleiscatchyorproducesamentalpicture,youwillrememberitlonger.Onecreativepersongave“Well-Well”asatitleforJohn4.Thetwokeyeventsofthatchapterarethewomanatthewellandthenobleman’ssonwhomJesusmadewell .

Step twO Contents

Describe,summarize,paraphrase,outline,ormakealistofthemajorpointsinachapter.Themethodyouchoosewilldependontheliterarystyleofthechapterandonyourownpreference.Somepeopleliketosummarize;analyticalpeopleenjoyoutlining.Choosethemethodwithwhichyoufeelmostcomfortableandiseasyforyoutodo.Don’ttrytointerpretthechapter;justmakeobservationsonitscontents.recordonyourformwhatyoufeelthewritersaid.

Step three Chief People

List themost importantpeople in thechapter.Askquestionssuchas,Whoarethemainpeopleinthischapter?Whyaretheyincluded?Whatissignificantaboutthem?Ifthechaptercontainspronouns(he,.she,.they,etc.)youmayhavetorefertothepreviouschaptertoidentifythepeople.Writedownyourreasonsforchoosingcertainpeopleasthechiefonesofthechapter.Whenyoucometolonggenealogies(listsofpeople),don’ttrytolisteachone,butsummarizethelist.

Step FOur Choice Verse

Chooseaversethatsummarizesthewholechapteroronethatspeakstoyouper-sonally.Insomechaptersyoumayfindakeyversethatsummarizesthewriter’sargument;inotherchapterstheremaynotbeakeyverse.Onoccasionyoumaywanttopickaversefromwhichyouwillbewritingyourapplication,aversethatyoubelieveGodwouldhaveyouapplytoyourlife.

Step Five Crucial Word(s)

Writedownthekeywordorwordsofthechapter.Manytimesthekeywordwillbetheonethatisusedmostfrequently(“love”in1Corinthians13and“faith”in

54


Hebrews11).Sometimesthecrucialwordmaybethemostimportantwordbutnotthemostusedone.Inromans6,forexample,theword“count”(KJV,“reckon”)istheimportantwordeventhoughitisusedonlyonce(rom.6:11).Also,achaptermayhavemorethanonecrucialword.

Step Six Challenges

List any difficulties you may have with the passage. Are there any statementsyoudonotunderstand?Isthereanyproblemorquestionyouwouldliketostudyfurther?Oftenwhiledoingachaptersummaryyouwillgetideasforothertypesofstudiesyoumaywanttodointhefuture.For instance,acertainwordinthechaptermaycatchyourattention.Takenoteofthatword;lateryoumaywanttodoanin-depthstudyofit(seechapter7).Aquestionaboutadoctrinalmattermightmotivateyoutodoatopicalstudyonthatparticularteaching(seechapter6).

Step Seven Cross-References

Usingthecross-referencesinyourstudyBible,lookupotherversesthathelpclar-ifywhatthechapteristalkingaboutandlistthemonyourform.Askthequestion,Whatelse in theBiblehelpsmeunderstand thischapter?Cross-referencesareimportantbecausetheyarehelpfultoolsininterpretingthemeaningofachapter;theyenableyoutoseewhattheBibleasawholehastosayonanygiventeaching.Youcanlookforseveraltypesofcross-references,andthesearedescribedinthesectiononcorrelationintheChapterAnalysisMethod(seechapter10)andinchap-ter10ofWalterA.HenrichsenandGayleJackson’sbookStudying,.Interpreting,.and.Applying.the.Bible(Zondervan).

Step eight Christ Seen

TheentireBibleisarevelationofthepersonofJesusChrist.Infact,JesususedtheOldTestamenttoteachhisdisciplesabouthimself.OnthedayofresurrectionontheEmmausroad,Jesustaughttwoofhisdisciples:“BeginningwithMosesandalltheProphets,heexplainedtothemwhatwassaidinalltheScripturesconcerninghimself”(Luke24:27).Asyoustudyeachchapter,bealertforstatementsthattell


55

yousomethingaboutJesusChrist,theHolySpirit,orGodtheFather.Askyourself,WhatcanIlearnaboutthenatureofJesusfromthischapter?WhatattributesofGodinChristareillustratedhere?(Someexamples:hislove,justice,mercy,holi-ness,power,andfaithfulness.)Thisstepmaybethemostdifficulttocompleteinsomeportionsof theBible,particularly inOldTestamentnarrativesand inpas-sageswheresymbolismisused.

Step nine Central Lesson(s)

Writedownthemajorprinciples,insights,andlessonsyoulearnfromthischapter.Askyourself,WhydoesGodwantthispassageintheBible?Whatdoeshewanttoteachmefromthischapter?Whatisthecentralthoughtthewriteristryingtodevelop? A possible answer might be “We should be loving in all interpersonalrelationships”(1Cor.13).

Step ten Conclusion

This is theapplicationportionofyourstudy.Asdiscussed inchapter1,developaproject tohelpyou implement inyour lifea lessonyouhave learnedfromthechapterorportion.Itwillbenefityoutoconcludeyourchaptersummarybyaskingyourselftwoquestions:(1)Howdothesetruthsapplytomepersonally?and(2)WhatspecificallyamIgoingtodoaboutthem?

HOWTOFILLINTHECHAPTErSUMMArYFOrM

AttheendofthischapterisaChapterSummaryFormthatyoucanreproduceforyourownuse.The formhasaplace for listing thechapterof theBibleyouarestudyingandthe10stepsofthismethod.Fillintheblankspacesforeachofthe10partsjustdescribed.Ifyouneedmoreroom,usethebackoftheformorallowmoreroomonyourownpaper.


Seetheexamplesattheendofthischapter.

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Assignment

SomechaptersonwhichyoucanstartusingtheChapterSummaryMethodofBibleStudyare

• 1Corinthians13• 2Timothy2• 1John1• John17•. ThegospelofLuke(chapterbychapter)

For Further Reading

The.Summarized.BiblebyKeithL.Brooks(Baker).Thisbookisanexcellentexam-pleofthismethodofBiblestudy.Dr.Brooksoffersachaptersummaryoneverychapterofeverybook intheBibleandshowshowJesusChristmaybeseen ineachchapter.Don’treadthisbooktohelpyoudothestudy;onlyuseitafterwardtochecktoseehowyouhavedoneonyourown.

cHaPTeR sUMMaRY fORM

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chapter Luke15 read 5 times˛ (check when done)

1. captiOn (title) “LostandFound”

2. cOntentS this chapter contains three parables.

1.Verses3–7:Thelostsheep 2.Verses8–10:Thelostcoin 3.Verses11–32:Thelostson

3. chieF peOple

TheshepherdwiththelostsheepThewomanwiththelostcoinThefatherwiththelostson

4. chOice verSe

Luke15:7—“Itellyouthatinthesamewaytherewillbemorerejoicinginheavenoveronesinnerwhorepentsthanoverninety-ninerighteouspersonswhodonotneedtorepent.”

5. crucial wOrD(S) Lost(vv.4,5,9,24,32)Found(5–6,9,24,32)

6. challengeS (Difficulties i need to study)

Whatdoesthisversemean—“ninety-ninerighteouspersonswhodonotneedtorepent”?

1. Prayer ˛ (check when done)

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cHaPTeR sUMMaRY fORM7. crOSS-reFerenceS Luke15:4–6

Matthew18:11–14 Isaiah53:6

John10:10–14 Psalm119:176

1Peter2:25

8. chriSt Seen

1stParable—JesustheGoodShepherdsearchingforlostsheep.2ndParable—theHolySpiritourrightfulOwnerfindingandrestoring.3rdParable—GodtheFatherwaitingtowelcomeushome.

9. central leSSOn(S)

insightsThesonwentawaysaying,“Giveme”(v.12).Hereturnedsaying,“Makeme”(v.19).Godcaresforsinnersandanxiouslywaitsforthemtoreturnhome.

characteristics of the immature brotherAnger—v.28Childish—v.28Jealousy—vv.29–30Wrongperspective—vv.29–30Grumbling—vv.29–30

10. cOncluSiOn (personal Application)

Ineachofthethreeparablesaconcreteeffortwasmadetorecoverwhatwaslost.Manyofmyfriendsare lostwithoutChrist. IneedtodevelopspecificwitnessingplansforreachingthemwiththeGoodNews.IwillstartbysharingmyfaithwithmyfriendJimthisweekend.

IneedtoexpressmorejoywhenIhearofpeoplewhohaveacceptedChrist.

cHaPTeR sUMMaRY fORM

5�

chapter read 5 times ® (check when done)

1. captiOn (title)

2. cOntentS

3. chieF peOple

4. chOice verSe

5. crucial wOrD(S)

6. challengeS (Difficulties i need to study)

60

cHaPTeR sUMMaRY fORM7. crOSS-reFerenceS

8. chriSt Seen

9. central leSSOn(S)

10. cOncluSiOn (personal Application)

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AmajorgoalofChristianlivingistodevelopChristlikecharacterinourlives.DailywewanttobecomemoreandmorelikeJesusChristbyreplacingbadcharacterqualitieswithgoodones.ButbeforewecanworkonaChristlikequalityinourlives,wemustbeabletorecognizeit.Thisstudyisdesignedtohelpyouidentifynegativeandpositivecharacterqualitiesandthenbeabletounderstandthem.

Youmaythenworkonsettingasidenegativecharacterqualitiesandbuildingpositiveonesinyourlife.DoingthesethingswillenableyoutobecomemoreandmorelikeJesusChrist.

Definition

TheCharacterQualityMethodofBibleStudy involvesfindingoutwhat theBiblesaysaboutaparticularcharacteristicofaperson,withaheavyemphasisonper-sonalapplication.Furthermore,itisacombinationinsimplifiedformofthreeotherBiblestudymethods:theWordStudyMethod,theBiographicalMethod,andtheCross-referenceMethod.

3THe cHaRacTeR

QUaLiTY MeTHOD Of BiBLe sTUDY

How to Determine Biblical Character Qualities

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ItdiffersfromtheBiographicalMethodinthathereyouarestudyingthechar-acteristicsofapersonratherthanthepersonhimself.Thesequalitiescanbenega-tiveorpositiveorboth.Thepointisthatwelearntoavoidthenegativeonesandworkonbuildingthepositiveonesintoourlives.

Why this methoD is vital for our lives

ThepurposeofthismethodofBiblestudyistoidentifycharacterqualitiestaughtintheBiblewiththeviewoflearningtoavoidthenegativeonesandlearningtoworkonthepositiveones,sothatwebecomemoreliketheLordJesusChrist.Itisobvi-ousthatuntilweknowwhatacharacterqualityis,wecannotavoiditordevelopit.Forexample,ifwewantedtobecomemeek,astheBibleadmonishesustobe,wewouldhavetoknowwhatmeeknessisbeforewecanreallystudyit.

Thisisthefirstmethodinthisbookthatrequirestheuseofsometools.Soletuslookatsomeofthereferencetoolsyouwillneed:

1. AstudyBible 2. Anexhaustiveconcordance 3. ABibledictionaryand/orawordstudybook 4. AtopicalBible 5. AnEnglishdictionary

Ifyouwanttodeveloppositivebiblicalcharacterqualities inyour life, followthesetips:

1.Onlyworkononequalityatatime.Don’ttrytoworkontwoorthreeormore,forittakesconcentratedefforttoseehowthatonequalityappliestoeveryareaofyourlife.Itisfarbettertobuildonequalitysolidlyintoyourlifethantoworkonseveralweakones.

2.Don’t rush it!Characterdevelopment takes time.Even thoughoneof thesteps iswritingoutan illustrationafteroneweek,youshouldprobablywant toworkononequalityforamuchlongertime.IhavefoundinmyownlifethatGodworksonanareaformonths(sometimesyears)beforeitbecomespartofmydailywalkwithhim.

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3.Staywiththatonequalityuntilyougetvictoryinthatspecificarea.Don’tskiparound,tryingtoworkonmanyqualities,whenyouneedvictoryinthatone.rememberthatthequalityofdiligenceisoneyouwanttoworkon.

4.Bealerttoanegativequalityinyourlifethatisactuallyapositiveonebeingmisused.realizethattheLordwantstoturnyourweakpointsintostrongones.Ifyouarerigid,legalistic,andunbending,itmightbethatthequalityofself-disciplineisbeingmisused.Thatdisciplineneedstobetemperedwithcompassionandcon-cernforothers.

5.TrusttheHolySpirittobuildthesequalitiesinyourlife.Inthefinalanalysis,itisGod’spowerinyouthatreproducesthefruitoftheSpiritinyourlife.ItisGodalonewhocanchangeyourcharacter.“ForitisGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactaccordingtohisgoodpurpose”(Phil.2:13).SoletGoddoit,trustingtheHolySpirittoworkinyourlife.

Step One — Name the Quality

Step twO — Name the Opposite Quality

Step three — Do a Simple Word Study

Step FOur — Find Some Cross-References

Step Five — Do a Brief Biographical Study

Step Six — Find a Memory Verse

Step Seven — Select a Situation or Relationship to Work On

Step eight — Plan a Specific Project

Step nine — Write Out a Personal Illustration

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nine stePs for Doing a character Quality stuDy

Step One Name the Quality

Selectthequalityyouwanttostudyandwriteitdown.ThenlookitupinanEnglishdictionaryandjotdownthedefinitionofthatwordorconcept.Listanysynonymsorrelatedwordsthathelpyouunderstandthisquality.

Step twO Name the Opposite Quality

Write down the opposite quality—the antonym—of the one you are studying,andwriteoutitsdictionarydefinitionandsimilarwords.Ifyoucan’tthinkoftheopposite,useadictionaryofantonyms;somethesaurusesalsogiveantonyms.Forexample,unfaithfulness istheoppositeoffaithfulness.Butinsomequalitiesyoumightbestudying,theremightbetwoormoreopposites.Forexample,youcouldhavethefollowing:

• Faithanddoubt• Faithandapathy• Faithandfear

Step three Do a Simple Word Study

LookuptheBibledefinitionofthequalityyouarestudying.Findthewaysitisusedin the scriptural contexts; then check a Bible dictionary, encyclopedia, or wordstudybookforthewaythequalitywasusedinbiblicaltimesandintheScriptures.SomeofthetoolswilltellyouhowmanytimesthewordisusedintheBible,eachtestament,thewritingsofdifferentauthors,andinthebookyouarestudying.

Forexample,ifyouwerestudyingthequalityofmeekness,youwoulddiscoverthatthewordmeek intheoriginalGreekmeant“breakingsomethingandbring-ingitundersubmission.”Thewordwasusedtodescribethetrainingofvaluablehorses,whichwerebroughtundersubmissiontotheirmasters.Astallionwouldstill have all the power and strength of itswild days, but itwasnow under itsmaster’scontrol.Meekness,therefore,isnotweakness.AsaChristiancharacterquality,meeknessisstrengththatisinsubmissiontoJesusChrist.


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Step FOur Find Some Cross-References

Usingcross-referenceswillgiveyouadditionalinsightsfromotherportionsoftheBible.ScriptureisstillthebestinterpreterofScripture.UseyourconcordanceandtopicalBibletofindalltheversesyoucanrelatingtothisquality.LookupthewordanditssynonymsintheconcordanceandtopicalBible,writethecross-referenceontheformintheappropriatesection,andgiveabriefdescriptionofthatverse.Thenasksomeofthefollowingquestionsaboutthequalityyouarestudyingasyoumeditateonthecross-referenceverses:

• Whatarethebenefitsthistraitcanbringme?• Whataresomebadconsequencesthistraitcanbringme?• Whatarebenefitsthistraitcanbringtoothers?• Whataresomebadconsequencesthistraitcanbringtoothers?• IsthereanypromisefromGodrelatedtothistrait?• Isthereanywarningorjudgmentrelatedtothistrait?• Isthereacommandrelatedtothistrait?• Whatfactorsproducethistrait?• DidJesushaveanythingtosayaboutthisquality?What?• Whatwritertalkedaboutthisqualitythemost?• IsthistraitsymbolizedbyanythinginScripture?Isthatsignificant?• Is this trait listed with a group of qualities? What is the relationship

betweenthem?Whatdoesthissuggest?• WhatScripturestellmedirectlywhatGodthinksofthistrait?• DoIwantmoreorlessofthistraitinmylife?

Afteraskingaseriesofquestionssuchasthese,orothersthatyouthinkof,youmightwriteabriefsummaryoftheBible’steachingonthisquality.Youmaylistanylessonsorprinciplesthatyoulearnedfromthismini-topicalstudy,oryoumayparaphraseafewkeyversesonthistrait.

Alwaysbesure towritedownanydifficultiesyouhavewith theversesyoulookedup,orquestionsyouwouldliketoseeanswered.Possibly,lateronyouwillunderstandwhat isdifficultatpresentandthenfindanswers toyourproblems;oftenoneverseshedslightonanotherverseyouhavestudied.

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Step Five Do a Brief Biographical Study

NowgobacktoyourBibleandtrytofindat leastoneperson(moreifpossible)whoshowedthischaracterqualityinhisorherlife.BrieflydescribethisqualityandwritedowntheScripturesthatrefertoit.Askthesequestionsasyoudothispartofthestudy:

• Whatshowsthisqualityinhis/herlife?• Howdidthisqualityaffecthis/herlife?• Didthequalityhelporhinderhis/hergrowthtomaturity?How?• Whatresultsdiditproduceinhis/herlife?

AnexampleofthisstepmaybeseeninthelifeofJoseph,thesonofJacob,whodisplayeddifferentqualitiesofthefruitoftheSpirit(Gal.5:22–23)ineachincidentinhislife.Itisinterestingtonotehistestimonybeforetheheathen:“SoPharaohaskedthem,‘Canwefindanyonelikethisman,oneinwhomisthespiritofGod?’”(Gen.41:38).WefindthesequalitiesinJoseph:

• Hedisplayedloveinadifficultfamilysituation(Gen.47).• Hedisplayedself-controlinadifficulttemptation(Gen.39).• He displayed industry and patience in difficult circumstances (Gen.

39:19–40:23).• Hedisplayedfaithfulnessinadifficulttask(Gen.41:37–57).• He displayed goodness,. gentleness, and kindness in difficult family

reunions(Gen.42;50).

OccasionallysomeofthequalitiestheBibleteachesareevidentinthewaysofcertainanimals(particularlyinthebookofProverbs).Whenyoufindthesequali-ties,writethemdown.

Step Six Find a Memory Verse

Writedownatleastoneversefromyourcross-referenceorbiographicalportionofthestudythatreallyspeakstoyouandthatyouintendtomemorizeduringthefol-lowingweek.ThisverseshouldcomeinhandywhenGodprovidesanopportunityforyoutoworkonthischaracterqualityinaspecificway.


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Step Seven Select a Situation or Relationship to Work On

Wearenowgettingtotheapplicationpartofthestudy.ThinkofanareainyourlifeinwhichGodwantsyoutoworkonthischaracterquality—avoidingitifit’snega-tiveorbuildingitupifit’spositive.Thiscanbeeitherasituationoraninterpersonalrelationship.

Ifitisasituation,anticipateinadvancewhatyouwilldowhenthesituationarises.Supposeyouhavebeenslothful,lazy.Yourstudyonslothfulnesshaschallengedyoutogetridofthisqualityinyourlife.Asyouplanahead,youknowwhensituationswillarisethatwillbringoutthelazystreakinyou,soyoudecideaheadoftimewhatyouwilldo:Youwillsettwoalarmclocks,oneonthefarsideoftheroom,tohelpyougetupinthemorningtohaveaquiettimeandbeontimetoworkorschool.

If it isa relationship,determineaheadof timehowyouwill respond inyourinteractionswiththatperson.Thispersoncouldbewife,husband,parents,chil-dren,girlfriend,boyfriend,workassociates,schoolfriends,orneighbors.Lookforopportunitiestoworkonthatcharacterqualityinyourrelationshipswiththatper-sonorpersons.Yourgoalistohavemorematurerelationships.

Onewayofdoingthisistothinkbackandrecallagoodsituationorrelationshipinyourrecentpastwhenyoudidworkonthisquality.

Step eight Plan a Specific Project

ThisisthepracticalpartofyourapplicationandistheactualworkingoutofStepSeven.Thinkofaprojectthatyouwillworkontobuildapositivequalityinyourlifeortogetridofanegativequality.

Once Iwasworkingon the traitofgratefulness.Oneofmyprojectswas towritegratefulletterstofivepeoplewhohadbeenablessingtome,saying,“Iamgratefulforyoubecause....”remember:applicationsshouldbepersonal,practi-cal,possible,andmeasurable.

Step nine Write Out a Personal Illustration

Afewdaysafteryouhavecompletedthefirsteightstepsofthisstudy,writeoutanillustrationofhowyouwereabletoworkonthisquality.Thisisthe“provable”

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(measurable)partofyourapplication.Bespecific,andwritedownwhereyouhavesucceededandwhereyoumighthavefailed.InjustashorttimeyoushouldbeabletodevelopawholesetofpersonalexamplesofhowGodisworkinginyourlife,gettingridofnegativequalitiesandbuildingpositiveones.

These illustrationsserveanumberofpurposes.Whenyougetdiscouraged,readoverthebacklogofyour illustrationsandseehowGodhasworked inyou.Whenyouareworkingwitha“Timothy,”useyour illustrationstoteachhimandtoencouragehiminhisownillustrations.Whenyouaresharingyourtestimonyorteachingaclass,usetheseillustrationstoaddapersonalelementtoyourpresen-tation:“HereishowGodworkedinmylife.”

Godoftenbuildscharacterinourlivesbyputtingusinsituationswherewearetemptedtodotheopposite.Forexample,Godmayteachyouhonestybyplacingyouinasituationwhereyouaretemptedtobedishonest.

summary anD conclusion

WhenIwasincollege,Iwasactiveinamusicalgroup.Iownedabout$2,000worthof theequipment itused.Once,whenIwaspreaching500milesaway,anothermusicgroupatourschoolcametomyroommateandaskediftheycouldborrowmyequipment.Hetoldthem,“I’msureitwouldbeallright,butyouhavetoaskrickfirst.I’msurehewillletyouuseit.”

ButbecauseIwasaway,theydidn’taskme.Theysimplycamebackaftermyroommatehadgoneandtooktheequipment.LaterthatweekendIcalledinandwastoldaboutmyequipmentbeingtaken.Igotfurious.Ihungupthephoneandwasreallysteamed.Iwouldhaveloanedittothemhadtheyaskedme,buttheyhadn’t,andthiswaslikestealing.Iwasupset,planningallkindsofthingsIwouldsayanddowhenIreturned.

In themeantime Ihadbeendoingacharacterqualitystudyon forgiveness.Thatmorning Ihadread intheBible,“Makesurethatnobodypaysbackwrongforwrong,butalwaystrytobekindtoeachotherandtoeveryoneelse.Bejoyfulalways; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this isGod’swillforyouinChristJesus”(1Thess.5:15–18). Isuddenlyrealizedthatif Iwereto


6�

developthequalityofforgiveness,Ihadtoforgivethosepeoplewhohadtakenmyequipment,Ihadtoremainjoyful,andIhadtogivethanksforthesituation.

SoherewasaconcretesituationthatGodhadbroughtintomylifethatwasgoingtohelpmebuildthecharacterqualityofforgivenessintomypracticaldailyliving.Itwasatoughlesson,butitwaspartofapplyingwhatwelearninScripture.Writingthatdownhasenabledmetosharethatexperiencewithothers.

HOWTOFILLINTHECHArACTErQUALITYSTUDYFOrM

UsetheformattheendofthischaptertowritedowntheninestepsofyourBiblestudy.Youmayreproducethesesections.


Seetheexampleattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

AgoodplacetostartthisstudywouldbetogothroughthelistsofqualitiesfoundinNewTestamentpassages.Somepositiveonesare

• Matthew5:3–12—theBeatitudes• Galatians5:22–23—thefruitoftheSpirit• Philippians4:4–9—admirablequalities• 2Peter1:5–8—qualitiesthatshouldincreaseinourlives

Don’t forgettostudynegativequalitiesaswell,sothatyoucanworkonriddingthesefeaturesfromyourlife.Herearesomenegativequalities:

• Galatians5:19–21—alistoftheworksoftheflesh• 2Timothy3:1–5—havenothingtodowiththese!

OnthefollowingpageisalistofspecificqualitiestaughtthroughouttheBiblethatyoushouldstudyandworkon.

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positive Qualities

1.Servanthood 9.Forgiveness

2.Honesty 10.Generosity

3.Humility 11.Loyalty

4.Determination 12.Fairness

5.Diligence 13.Cooperativeness

6.Faithfulness 14.Discipline

7.Availability 15.Sincerity

8.Teachability 16.Contentment

negative Qualities

1.Laziness 9.Beingunloving

2.Acriticalspirit 10.Dishonesty

3.Pride 11.Impatience

4.Selfishness 12.Worry

5.Unfaithfulness 13.Fearfulness

6.Disrespectfulness 14.Lustfulness

7.rebelliousness 15.Bitterness

8.Gossip 16.Apathy

Many others may be found in Scripture, but these should get you started.Amuchlonger listofbiblicalqualities,bothnegativeandpositive, isprovidedinappendixC.

For Further Reading

The.Building.of.Character.byJ.r.Miller(AMGPublishers)Character.Sketches,.2volumes(InstituteofBasicLifePrinciples)The.Master.Bible,.editedbyJ.WesleyDickson(J.WesleyDickson&Co.)The.Measure.of.a.Man.byGeneGetz(regalBooks)The.Measure.of.a.Woman.byGeneGetz(regalBooks)

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1. character Quality Boldness

“An exhibition of courage and fearlessness; bravery; willingness to moveaheadconfidentlyinthefaceofdanger.”

2. OppOSite Quality Timidity,Fearfulness

“Toshrinkbackfromadifficultordangerouscircumstance;tobehesitant.”

3. SiMple wOrD StuDy

OldTestamentword:Bâtah.means“tobeconfident.”Example:Proverbs28:1—“Therighteousareasbold.asalion.”

NewTestamentwords:Tharreo.means“tobeconfident,bold,ordaring.”Example:Hebrews13:6—“Sothatwemayboldly.say,‘TheLordismyhelper,andIwillnotfearwhatmanshalldountome’”(KJV).

Parrçsiazomai.means“tospeakboldlyorfreely.”Example:Acts19:8—“Paulenteredthesynagogueandspoke.boldly.thereforthreemonths,arguingpersuasivelyaboutthekingdomofGod.”

referencetoolsused:

• Young’s.Analytical.Concordance.to.the.Bible• Vine’s.Expository.Dictionary.of.New.Testament.Words

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4. crOSS-reFerence inSightS

• Christspokeboldlyinthefaceofopposition(John7:26).• OurconfidenceandboldnesscomefromknowingthattheLordwillhelpus

indifficultsituations(Hebrews13:6).• PeterandJohnwereboldbecausetheyhadbeenwithJesus(Acts4:13).• When theHolySpirit fillsour life,wewillbeable tospeak theWordof

Godboldly.ThefirstChristiansprayedforboldnessinwitnessingandGodansweredtheirprayerbyfillingthemwiththeHolySpirit(Acts4:29–31).

• WhenChrist’sloveisinus,wewillbeboldbecausethereisnofearinlove.Perfectlovecastsoutallfear(1John4:17–18).


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5. SiMple BiOgraphical StuDy

TheapostlePaulisamajorexampleofboldness.Hisentirelifeseemedtobecharacterizedbythisquality:

• AsayoungChristianinDamascus,hewitnessedboldlyforChrist(Acts9:27).

• Everywherehewent,hesharedhisfaithboldlyinspiteofoppositionandpersecution:ß inJerusalem(Acts9:28–29)ß inPisidianAntioch(Acts13:46)ß inIconium(Acts14:3)ß inEphesus(Acts19:8)ß inThessalonica(1Thess.2:2)

• Hewroteboldletterstothechurches(rom.15:15).• Heaskedpeopletopraythathewouldcontinuallypreachandteach

withboldness(Eph.6:19–20).• HisChristiantestimonywhileinprisoncausedotherstospeakboldly

forChrist(Phil.1:14).• He even faced death boldly (Phil. 1:20). “According to my earnest

expectationandhope,thatIshallnotbeputtoshameinanything,butthatwithallboldness,Christshallevennow,asalways,beexaltedinmybody,whetherbylifeorbydeath”(NASB).

6. MeMOry verSe(S)

“Sowesaywithconfidence,‘TheLordismyhelper;Iwillnotbeafraid.Whatcanmandotome?’”(Heb.13:6).

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7. a SituatiOn Or relatiOnShip (where god wants to work on this quality in my life)

Ihavebeenafraid towitnesstomyfriendTed,whoworkswithmeat theoffice.

8. My prOject

First,Iwillaskmywifetopraywithmeaboutovercomingmytimidityinwit-nessing toTed.Then,eachday thisweek Iwillpausebeforegoing into theofficeandasktheHolySpirittofillmylifeandgivemeboldnesstowitnesstoTed(Acts4:31).

9. perSOnal illuStratiOn

MondayandTuesdayofthisweekIprayedforboldnesstowitnesstoTed,buttheopportunityjustdidn’tarise.TuesdaynightIdecidedthatIneededtobemoreearnestinmyprayers,soIaskedmywifetopraywithmespecificallyforachancetosharemyfaithwithTedonWednesday.

Wednesdaymorning,Ipausedattheofficedoorbeforegoingin,andIprayedsilently thatTedwouldsense that I “hadbeenwithJesus,” likePeterandJohn(Acts4:13).ThenIwentinandplacedmyBibleontopofmydesk,hop-ingTedwouldrecognizeit.

Duringthecoffeebreak,Tedcameovertotalktome.HenoticedmyBibleandsaid,“IsthataBible?”

Ianswered,“Itsureis.Haveyoueverreadit?”“Notlately,”hesaid.

Isaid,“WellI’vebeenreadingitalotlately,andI’vediscoveredsomeneatthingsinit.”IthensharedabrieftestimonyofwhatGodwasdoinginmylife.Tedseemedmildlyinterested—atleasthewasn’tturnedoff.It’sastart,andIthankGodforgivingmetheboldnesstogothisfar.


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1. character Quality

2. OppOSite Quality

3. SiMple wOrD StuDy

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cHaRacTeR QUaLiTY sTUDY fORM4. crOSS-reFerence inSightS


77

5. SiMple BiOgraphical StuDy

6. MeMOry verSe(S)

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7. a SituatiOn Or relatiOnShip (where god wants to work on this quality in my life)

8. My prOject

9. perSOnal illuStratiOn

7�

In the introduction to thisbookwenoted that thesecretofgoodBiblestudy islearning to ask the right questions. In doing a thematic study, youdecide on asetofquestionstoaskaboutthechosenthemebeforeyoulookintheBible.YourquestionsshouldbebasedaroundwhatrudyardKiplingcalledhis“honestservingmen”inhisshortstory“TheElephant’sChild.”

IKeepsixhonestservingmen:

(TheytaughtmeallIknew)

TheirnamesareWhatandWhyandWhen

AndHowandWhereandWho.

UseKipling’sservingmenasyoupreparethevitalobservationquestionsyouwanttoaskinyourthematicstudy:What?Why?When?How?Where?Who?

Definition

TheThematicMethodofBibleStudy involvesapproachingabiblical themewithasetofnotmorethanfivepredeterminedquestionsinmind.Youthentracethat

4THe THeMaTic

MeTHOD Of BiBLe sTUDY

How to Investigate Themes in Scripture

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themethroughtheBibleorasinglebookbyaskingonlythosequestions,summa-rizingyourconclusions,andwritingoutapersonalapplication.

Thethematicstudyissimilartothetopicalstudy(seechapter6),butdiffersin two ways. First, the thematic study is shorter than the topical because youstudyfewerverses.Itis,infact,alimitedtypeoftopicalstudy.Atopicmayhavemanythemesrunningthroughit.Forexample,onetopiccouldbe“Prayer,”butyoucouldstudythefollowingthemesunderthattopic:“ThePrayersofJesus,”“ThePrayers of New Testament Writers,” “Conditions for Answered Prayer,” “PrayerPromises,” “Intercession for Others,” and many other prayer themes. A topicalstudywouldexamineeverypossible verse that relates to theoverall topic. In athematicstudyyouconcentrateonlyonpassagesofScripturethatdealwithyourselectedtheme.

Second,athematicstudyentailsfewerquestions.Inatopicalstudyyouaskasmanyquestionsasyoucan,becauseyourgoalistodiscoverasmuchaspossibleaboutthetopic.Thethematicstudyhasalimitoffivecarefullychosenquestions.Aftermakingalistofalltheversesrelatedtothetheme,youexamineeachverse,askingonlythequestionsyouhaveprepared.

Thereasonforlimitingthenumberofquestionsisthatathememayhave100,200,ormorereferences.Ifyoursetofquestionsgetstoolong,youwillgetboggeddownanddiscouraged.Youwillgettiredofthestudyevenbeforeyouhavefinishedit.

Oneweekmywifedecidedtodoathematicstudyontheexpression“thehandoftheLord.”InhertopicalBibleshefoundonlysevenversesusingthatphrase,andinherexhaustiveconcordanceshediscoveredatotalof210referencestothetheme,underthewordhand .Shewouldhavehadherhandsfullifshehadchosentoask15or20questionsofeachverse.

Why this methoD of BiBle stuDy

Thepurposeofthismethodistodiscoverwhatyoucanaboutachosenthemewithspecific,preparedquestionsthatyouwillaskofeachversechosenforstudy.Therearesomegreatadvantagesinusingit,andwewillincludesomepracticaltipsforit.

The.Thematic.Method.of.Bible.Study

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tools you Will neeD

AfewreferencetoolsareneededforthismethodofBiblestudy:

• AstudyBible• Anexhaustiveconcordance• AtopicalBible

aDvantages of this stuDy

SeveraladvantagesemergefromthismethodofBiblestudy:1.Youdon’tneedmanyreferencetools.Youcandoalimitedstudyifyouhave

onlyatopicalBible.ButatopicalBibledoesnotlistallthereferencesonaparticulartheme,soyouwillbenefitbyusinganexhaustiveconcordance.Youcanmakealistofeverywordthatrelatestothetheme,thenlookupeachwordintheconcordanceandselecttheversesthatdealspecificallywithyourtheme.

2.Youcanusethismethodwhenyoudon’thavethetimetodoafull-scaletopicalstudybecausethesubjectistoobroadorbecauseofthelargenumberofBiblereferencesonthesubject.

Step One — Choose a Theme to Study

Step twO — List All the Verses You Intend to Study

Step three — Decide on the Questions You Will Ask

Step FOur — Ask Your Questions of Each Reference

Step Five — Draw Some Conclusions from Your Study

Step Six — Write out a Personal Application

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3.Thismethodisagoodwaytopreviewatopicbysurveyingthehighpointsofitssubordinatethemesbeforeattemptingaregulartopicalstudyofthesubject.Oryoucanusethisapproachwhenyouareonlyinterestedinhavingcertainquestionsansweredonthetheme.Withthismethodyoucandiscoverexactlywhatyouwanttofindoutwithoutspendingvaluabletimeonunrelatedmatters.

4.ThismethodisoneoftheeasiesttypesofpersonalBiblestudytoturnintoasermonorSundayschoollesson.Aftercompletingyourpersonalstudy,makeeachofyourquestionsamajorpointinyourtalkandsharethebiblicalanswerswithyourgroup,class,orcongregation.

5.Thismethodisagoodoneforteachingyour“Timothy”oranynewChristian.ItissimpleenoughforsomeonewhohasnotyetdoneanypersonalBiblestudytograspanddoeffectively.

some tiPs on Doing this stuDy

Becauseofthesimplicityofthestudyandthedangerof“gettingcarriedaway,”sometipsandwordsofcautionarenecessary.

1.Don’tusetoomanyquestions.EvenathemeunderamajortopicmaybesovastastohavehundredsofScripturereferences.Ifyoulisttoomanyquestions,youwill notbeable todo thestudyeffectively.Onamajor thematic studyyoushouldasknomorethanthreequestions.

2.Sometimesyoucandoathematicstudywithonlyonequestion.Herearesomeexamples:

• WhatarethethingsGodhates?• AccordingtotheNewTestament,whatthingsshouldwe“endure”?• Whatarethethingsweshould“consider”asChristians?• WhattraitsofafoolaregiveninthebookofProverbs?• AccordingtoSolomon(inProverbs),whatbringspoverty?

3.Manytimesyouwillnotfindtheanswertoeveryoneofyourquestionsinthesameverse.Whenthathappens,justleaveablankspaceonyourformandgoontothenextquestion.


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4. Ifyouarenot findinganswers toanyofyourquestions inyourverses, itprobablymeansyouneedtoreviseyourquestions.Youmaybeaskingthewrongones.PossiblyyouareaskingquestionsthatGoddoesnotcaretoanswer.ChecktheversestoseewhatGodisreallysaying,andfityourquestionstowhathewantstotellyouinthosepassages.

5.IfyouwanttoknoweverythingGodhassaidaboutacertainsubjectintheBible,youwillhavetouseanexhaustiveconcordanceandlookupallthewordsrelatedtoyourtheme.Thiscanbecomeamassiveproject.rememberthattopi-calBiblesarenotexhaustive,andyouwillhavetouseeitherYoung’sorStrong’sconcordances.

simPle stePs on Doing a thematic stuDy

Indoingathematicstudyyouwillcreatesomequestionsbeforelookingupyourreferences.Theseshouldincludesomeofthesixgreatinvestigativerelativepro-nounsmentionedearlier.Thesewords,whenused invariouscombinations,willgiveyoualimitlessnumberofquestionstouseinyourpersonalBiblestudy.Forexample,ifyouweretodoastudyon“AngerintheBookofProverbs,”youcouldasksuchquestionsasthese:

• Whatarethecharacteristicsofanangryman?• Whatcausesanger?• Whataretheresultsofanger?• Whatisthecureforanger?

All fourof thesequestionsused the term“What?”butyoucouldcomeupwith justasmanyquestionsusingtheotherfivepronouns:Why?When?Why?Where?Who?

Step One Choose a Theme to Study

Selectathemeinwhichyouareinterested.Ifthisisyourfirststudyofthiskind,startwithonethatissmallorshort.IntheAssignmentsectionaresomesugges-tions,includingthequestions;theexamplegivesyouacompletedstudy.

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Step twO List All the Verses You Intend to Study

Usingyourthreetools—thestudyBible,theexhaustiveconcordance,thetopicalBible—makea listofall theScriptureversesthatarerelatedtothethemeyouhavechosen.remembertoconsidersynonymsandothersimilarwordsandcon-ceptswhenusingtheconcordance.Selectfromthislisttheversesthataremostimportanttoyourtheme(unlessyouaretryingtodiscoveralltheBiblesaysaboutyourtheme).

Step three Decide on the Questions You Will Ask

Howdoyouknowwhatquestionstoask?Writedownthoseinwhichyouaremostinterested.Whataresomethingsyouwouldliketoknowaboutyourtheme?Makealistofquestions,notmorethanfiveinnumber.rememberthatsometimesyoumayneed toaskonlyonequestion.Writeyourquestion(s)on the formoronablanksheetofpaper.

Step FOur Ask Your Questions of Each Reference

readthroughyourreferences,andaskyoursetofquestionsofeachverse.Writedowntheanswersyoufindintheappropriateplacesonyourformorpaper.Some-timesyouwillbeabletoanswerallthequestionsinagivenverse,butusuallyyouwillonlyanswerpartofthem.Occasionallyaversemaynotansweranyofyourquestions;inthatcase,leavethatpartblankonyourform.Ifyouarenotfindinganyanswerstoyourquestions,startoverandwriteanewsetofquestions.

Step Five Draw Some Conclusions from Your Study

Afteryouhavefinishedcheckingthereferencesandwritingyouranswers,gobackandsummarizetheanswerstoeachofyourquestions.Youmightorganizeyourstudyintoanoutlinebygroupingsimilarversestogetherandturningyourquestionsintothemajordivisionsoftheoutline.Thiswillmakeiteasyforyoutosharetheinsightsyouhavediscoveredwithothers.


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Step Six Write Out a Personal Application

Toimplementwhatyouhavediscoveredandmakeitrealinyourlife,writeoutapersonalapplicationthatispractical,possible,andmeasurable.refertothestepssuggestedintheDevotionalMethod(chapter1)ifyouneedhelpindevelopinganeffectiveapplication.

HOWTOFILLINTHETHEMATICSTUDYFOrM

Useeither theThematicStudyFormyou findat theendof thischapteroryourownsheetofpaper.IftheformdoesnothaveenoughroomforallofyourScripturereferences,useadditionalsheetsofpaper.


Fillintheblanksaccordingtothefollowingprocedure:

1. Theme:Selectthethemeyouwanttoresearch,beingsureitisnottoobroadandisnotamajortopic.

2. List.of.References: ListasmanyScripture referencesasyouneed foryourstudy.

3. Questions.to.be.Asked:Listthequestions(notmorethanfive)youwillbeaskingofeachScripturereference.

4. Answers.to.the.Questions:Askthequestionsateachreferenceandwritetheanswersintheappropriatespaceundereachreference(QuestionAinalltheAslots,QuestionBintheBslots,andsoonthroughout).Useextrasheetsofpaperifthereisnotenoughroomontheform.

5. Conclusions:Writeout yourconclusionsandsummariesof theversesstudied.

6. Application: Write out a personal, practical, possible, and measurableapplication.


Seetheexampleof“Jesus’definitionofadisciple,”attheendofthischapter.

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Assignment

BeginyourthematicBiblestudieswiththemesthataresimpleandhaveonlyafewScripturereferences.AsyoubecomeproficientinthismethodofBiblestudy,youcanmakeyourthemesmorecomplexandusemorebiblicalpassages.Herearesome ideas togetyoustarted, includingsamplequestionsyoumayask. (Don’tfeelrestrictedbythesesuggestedquestions;makeupsomeofyourownforthesethemes.)

1. Theme.to.be.studied:KnowingGod’swill.(Lookupthewordwillinacon-cordance,andfindthereferencestoGod’s.will,.will.of.God,.will.of.the.Lord,.the.Lord’s.will,andanyotherrelatedwords.)Suggestedquestions:a. WhatspecificthingsareGod’swill?b. WhyamItodoGod’swill?(suchthingsasmotivesandresults)c. HowamItodoGod’swill?(suchthingsasattitudesandactions)

2. Theme.to.be.studied:Obedience.(Lookupthewordsobey,.obedience,.keep,. commandments,. do, and many others like them.) Suggestedquestions:a. Whyisobedienceimportant?b. Whataretheresultsofobedience?c. Whataretheresultsofdisobedience?d. HowamItoobeyGod?

3. Theme. to.be.studied:Praising theLord in thePsalms. (Notehow thisthemehasbeenshortenedto justthebookofPsalms.Lookupwordssuchaspraise,.adoration,.thanksgiving,andjoy.)Suggestedquestions:a. WhyshouldIpraisetheLord?b. HowcanIpraisetheLord?c. WhenshouldIpraisetheLord?d. WhataresomeresultsofpraisingtheLord?

4. Theme.to.be.studied:TheprayersofJesus.(Notehowthisthemealsohasbeenshortenedtooneaspectofprayer.Lookupthisthemeinatopi-calBibleandthewordsprayandprayerinaconcordance,choosingonlythose found in theGospels inwhichJesus ispraying.)Herearesome


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suggestedquestions,butyoushouldbeabletowritemanyothersofyourownchoosing:a. HowoftenshouldIpray?b. WhendidJesuspray?c. WhyshouldIprayasJesusdid?d. WhatdidJesusprayfor?e. TowhomshouldIpray?

FOrFUrTHErrEADING

Zondervan.Dictionary.of.Bible.Themes,.editedbyMartinManser(Zondervan)NIV.Thematic.Study.Bible,.editedbyAlisterMcGrath(Hodder&Stoughton)

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THeMaTic sTUDY fORM1. theMe Jesus’DefinitionofaDisciple

2. liSt OF reFerenceS

Matthew10:24–25Luke14:26–28Luke14:33John8:31–32John13:34–35John15:8

3. QueStiOnS tO Be aSkeD

A. Whatarethecharacteristicsofadisciple?

B. Whataretheresultsofbeingadisciple?

C.

D.

E.

4. anSwerS tO QueStiOnS

Scripture reference:Matthew10:24–25

A. AdisciplewillbelikeChrist(hisMaster)

B. HeshouldexpecttobetreatedasChristwasbytheworld.

C.

D.

E.

THeMaTic sTUDY fORM

8�

Scripture reference:Luke14:26–28

A. AdisciplegivessupremelovetoChristandbearshiscrossandfollows Christ.B. (Noanswergiven.)

C.

D.

E.

Scripture reference:Luke14:33

A. AdisciplegivesalltofollowChrist.

B. (Noanswergiven.)

C.

D.

E.

Scripture reference:John8:31–32

A. AdisciplecontinuallyabidesinChrist’sWord.

B. Heknowsthetruthandissetfree.

C.

D.

E.

�0

THeMaTic sTUDY fORMScripture reference:John13:34–35

A. Adisciplehasloveforothers.

B. OtherswillknowthathebelongstoChrist.

C.

D.

E.

Scripture reference:John15:8

A. Adisciplebearsfruit.

B. HisbearingfruitbringsglorytoGod.

C.

D.

E.

Scripture reference:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

THeMaTic sTUDY fORM

�1

5. cOncluSiOn

CharacteristicsIdiscovered:

Adisciple...

• islikeChrist• givessupremelovetoChrist• bearshiscrossandfollowsChrist• givesupalltofollowChrist• continuallyabidesinChrist’sWord• lovesothers• bearsfruit

resultsIdiscovered:

• Heshouldexpectpersecution.• Heknowsthetruthandissetfree.• HebringsglorytoGod.• OthersnoticehebelongstoChrist.

6. applicatiOn

1. BasedonJohn8:31–32Iwillestablisharegular,dailyquiettimeintheWord,startingtomorrowmorning.

2. BasedonJohn13:34–35IwilldemonstrateloveforthepersoninmySundayschoolclasswhoirri-tatesme,anddosobyaskinghisfamilytocometodinnerthisnextweek.

�2

THeMaTic sTUDY fORM1. theMe

2. liSt OF reFerenceS

3. QueStiOnS tO Be aSkeD

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

4. anSwerS tO QueStiOnS


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

THeMaTic sTUDY fORM

�3


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

�4

THeMaTic sTUDY fORMScripture reference:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.


A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

THeMaTic sTUDY fORM

�5

5. cOncluSiOn

6. applicatiOn

�7

TheBibleiscomposedofnumerousstoriesofmenandwomenandtheirrelation-shipswiththelovingGodwhocreatedthem.Tostudythelivesoftheseindividualsismeaningfulanduplifting.Wecanlearnbothwhattodoandwhattobebylook-ingatthepositiveattributesofhundredsofpeoplewhofillthepagesofScripture.Wecanalsogainvastknowledgeandwisdombyobservingandavoidingthetre-mendousfailuresandnegativeaspectsinthelivesofpeoplementionedinGod’sWord.

Definition

With the Biographical Method of Bible Study you select a biblical person andresearchtheScripturestostudyhisorherlifeandcharacter.Youtrytobecomethoroughlyacquaintedwith thatperson’s inner lifeand findoutwhatmade it aspiritualsuccessorfailure.AskGodtohelpyouthinkandfeelwithhimorhersothatyourstudybecomesalife-changingexperience.

5THe BiOgRaPHicaL


How to Find Out What Made Bible People Tick

�8


TheapplicationofthisstudycomeswhenyouexamineyourownlifeinlightofthestudyandaskGodtohelpyoumakepositivecharacterchangesinyourweakareas.ThiswillresultinChristiangrowthandmaturity.

the imPortance of BiBle PeoPle

PeopleareimportanttoGod.Wearemadeinhisimageandlikeness,andtheBibleisarecordofhisdealingswithmenandwomen.ItisalsoarevelationofGodhim-self,bothtopeopleandthroughpeople.TounderstandtheBiblefully,youmustgettoknowtheprominentpeopleoftheScriptures.

Step One — Select the Bible Person You Want to Study

Step twO — Make a List of All the References about That Person

Step three — Write Down First Impressions (First Reading)

Step FOur — Make a Chronological Outline (Second Reading)

Step Five — Get Some Insights into the Person (Third Reading)

Step Six — Identify Some Character Qualities (Fourth Reading)

Step Seven — Show How Other Bible Truths Are Illustrated in the Person’s Life

Step eight — Summarize the Main Lesson(s)

Step nine — Write Out a Personal Application

Step ten — Make Your Study Transferable

The.Biographical.Method.of.Bible.Study

��

MuchoftheOldTestamentisinnarrativeform,describingthelivesofmanypeople.ThebookofGenesis,forexample,revolvesaroundsixgreatnames:Adam,Noah,Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph.TheapostlePaulsaidthatGodgaveusthestories in theOldTestament tobeexamples tous, fromwhichweshould learnvaluablelessonsforlivingforhiminthisworld.Paulwrote,“Foreverythingthatwaswritteninthepastwaswrittentoteachus,sothatthroughenduranceandtheencouragementoftheScriptureswemighthavehope”(rom.15:4).Healsosaid,“Thesethingshappenedto[thepeopleoftheOldTestament]asexamplesandwerewrittendownaswarningsforus,onwhomthefulfillmentoftheageshascome”(1Cor.10:11).

TheNewTestamentisabookofinstructions;theOldTestamentisabookofillustrations, thoughbothTestamentscontain instructionsand illustrations.NewTestamenttruthsareillustratedintheOldTestament.OneofthebestwaystostudytheOldTestament is tostudy itspeople.Thismakes theolderScriptures reallycomealive.

TheBiblementionsingreaterorlesserdetailmorethan3,000people.Whenyouhavelearnedthismethodofstudy,youwillhaveopenedthedoortoalifetimeofexciting,fulfillingBiblestudy.Biographicalstudiesareenjoyableandarealsooneoftheeasiestmethodsfromwhichtofindpersonalapplications.

tools you Will neeD

• StudyBible• Exhaustiveconcordance• TopicalBible• Bibledictionaryorencyclopedia

some tiPs for a gooD BiograPhical stuDy

Todoameaningfulbiographicalstudy,keepthefollowingpointersinmind.1.Startwithapersononwhomyoucandoasimplestudy.Beginwithone

aboutwhomthereisasmallnumberofreferences.Somebiblicalpeoplecanbe

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studiedinafewhours;otherstakeweekstostudy,andsomemajorpersonscantakealifetime.DonotstartdoingthisstudyonapersonsuchasJesus,Moses,orAbraham.BeginwithsomeminorbutimportantpeoplesuchasAndrew,Barn-abas,orMaryofBethany.

2.Thesecretofagoodbiographicalstudyistolivewiththatpersonduringthestudy.Walk inhisorhersandals.Trytoget insidetheirmindandseehowtheythink,feel,andrespondtocircumstances.Attempttoseethingsfromtheirpointofview,hearwiththeirears,minglewiththeirfriends,andfightwiththeirenemies.Becomethatpersonwhileyouarestudyingthem.Thisisonlypossibleifyouspendmuchtimewiththatperson,reading,andrereadingalltheBiblerefer-encesaboutthem.

Afriendofmine,WayneWatts,hasspentalifetimestudyingAbraham.HehasstudiedthisbiblicalpersonsolongthathehastakenonmanycharacteristicsofAbraham.Heisagreatmanoffaith,asAbrahamwas.

3.Becarefulnottoconfusedifferentpeoplewhohavethesamenamewhenyoulookupthereferencesaboutthem.Youwillhavetobesurethattheverseisspeakingaboutthepersonyouhavechosentostudy.Youwouldnotwanttocon-fuseJohntheBaptistwithJohntheApostleorJohnMark.Forexample,theBibleshowsusthatthefollowingnameswerepopularandrefertodifferentpeople:

• Zechariah—30differentmen• Nathan—20men• Jonathan—15men• Judas—8men• Mary—7women• James—5men• John—5men

Thecontextoftheverseswillusuallytellyouwhichpersonisinview.4.Becarefultofindthevariousnamesthatmayapplytojustoneperson.Since

the Bible came out of a Hebrew-Aramaic-Greek context, some people’s nameschangedinthedifferentlanguages,inboththeOldTestamentandtheNew.TheapostlePeter,forexample,isknownasPeter,Simon,Simeon,andCephas.Dan-


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iel’sthreefriends,Hananiah,Mishael,andAzariah,arebetterknownasShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego.Sometimesanamechangecamebecauseofacharacterchange,whichwasthecaseofJacobbecomingIsrael.SobecarefulandfindallthenamesusedforthesamepersoninyourBiblestudy.

5. Stay away from books written about biblical people until after you haveexhaustedeveryBiblereferenceaboutthatpersonandhavedrawneverypossibleinsightoutofthosetexts.Don’tletaBiblecommentaryrobyouofthetaskofper-sonaldiscoveryorprejudiceyourviewsofaperson.Doyourownworkfirst,thencheckothersources.

simPle stePs on Doing a BiograPhical stuDy

TheBiographicalStudyFormhas10sections,whicharethe10stepsfordoingthisstudy.

Step One Select the Bible Person You Want to Study

Youmightstartoutbyselectingsomeonewhoeitherhasaweaknessthatyouhaveorastrengththatyouwouldliketodevelop.ChooseapersonwhoselifewillgiveyousomevaluableinsightsintohowyoucanconformmoretoGod’sstandardforlivingandbecomemorelikeJesusChrist.

Step twO Make a List of All the References about That Person

Usingyourreferencetools,findalltheScripturepassagesyoucanaboutthatper-sonandthingsrelatedtoherlife.Thismightincludesuchthingsasherbirth,majoreventsofherlife,heraccomplishments,whatotherssaidabouther,andherdeath.Youwillnotbeabletogetallthenecessary“vitalstatistics”abouteverypersonyoustudy,butfindoutasmuchaboutthemasyoucan.

Alsolookupanyreferencesthatdealwiththehistoricalbackgroundofherlife.IfyouwerestudyingEsther,youwouldneedtostudythebackgroundofherday:thePersianEmpire.IfyouwerestudyingtheapostlePaul,youwouldhavetostudyhismissionaryjourneys.

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Step three Write Down First Impressions (First Reading)

readthroughtheScripturereferencesyouhavelistedandmakesomenotes.Writeout the first impression you have of this person. Then write down some basicobservations and important information you discover about him or her. Finally,listanyproblems,questions,ordifficultiesyouwonderaboutasyoureadthesereferences.

Step FOur Make a Chronological Outline (Second Reading)

Foramajorbiblicalperson,readallthereferencesagainandmakeachronologi-caloutlineoftheperson’slife.Thiswillhelpyougainagoodperspectiveonhislife,andyouwillseehowdifferenteventsrelatetooneanother.Later,whenyoustudytheeventsassociatedwithhislife,youwillknowinwhatpartofhislifetheyoccurred.

Forminorbiblicalpeopleorthoseaboutwhoselivesfewdetailsaregiven,readthereferencesandmakeanoutlineonthebasisoftheinformationyouhave.

Trytoreadallthereferencesinonesittingandinamoderntranslation.Thiswillhelpyoufeeltheflowoftheperson’slife.Asyouread,lookforanynatural,majordivisionsinhisorherlife.Thenlookforandwritedownanyprogressionsandchangesofattitudeinthatperson’slifeastimesgoesby.Forexample,awell-knowndivisionofMoses’lifeis

• FortyyearsinPharaoh’scourt—learningtobeasomebody• FortyyearsintheMidiandesert—learningtobeanobody• FortyyearsintheSinaidesert—learningthatGodisSomebody

Thisisarealkeytostudyingthecharactersofthepeopleinvolved.SeehowGodslowlymoldedandchangedthepeopleorhowSatanbroughtthemdown.

Step Five Get Some Insights into the Person (Third Reading)

Gobackoverthereferencesagain,andlookforpossibleanswerstothequestionssuggestedinappendixB.Byansweringsomeofthesequestions,youshouldgetsomehelpfulinsightsintothecharacterofthepersonyouarestudying.


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Step Six Identify Some Character Qualities (Fourth Reading)

Asyoureviewthereferencesonceagain,usethesuggested listofpositiveandnegativecharacteristicsinappendixCasachecklist.Writeonyourformorpapereachquality,goodandbad,thatshowsupintheperson’slife.Giveaverserefer-encethatshowseachcharacteristicyouhaveobserved.

Step Seven Show How Other Bible Truths Are Illustrated in the Person’s Life

Examinetheperson’slifetoseehowitillustratesothertruthstaughtintheBible.Forexample,doeshisorher life show theprincipleof “youwill reapwhatyousow”?Look in that life for illustrationsofsomeof theProverbsorofprinciplestaught in the Psalms. For instance, you might ask, “Does his life illustrate thepromise, ‘Delight yourself in theLOrDandhewill give you thedesires of yourheart’”(Ps.37:4)?Findcross-referencesthatillustratewhattheBiblesaysaboutsomeofthecharacteristicsyoufoundinthisperson’slife.

Step eight Summarize the Main Lesson(s)

Inafewsentenceswriteoutwhatyouthinkisthemainlessonthatistaughtorillustratedbythisperson’slife.Isthereanyonewordthatcoulddescribethatlife?Whatwashisorheroutstandingcharacteristic?

Step nine Write Out a Personal Application

refertotheDevotionalMethodofstudy(chapter1)forthespecificsofwritinganapplication. Inadditiontotheprinciplessuggestedthere,youmightaskyourselfthesequestions:

• DidIseeanythingofmyselfinthisperson’slife?• Didheshowsomeofmyweaknesses?• Didherevealtomesomeofmystrengths?• Whatimpressedmemostaboutthisperson’slife?• WheredoIfallshortinthisarea?• WhatdoIintendtodoaboutit?

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Step ten Make Your Study Transferable

Condensewhatyouhavelearnedintoasimpleoutlinethatwillhelpyourememberitandenableyoutoshareyourconclusionswithothers.Makeit“pass-on-able.”Askyourself,“Whatcanthisperson’slifemeantoothers?WhatcanIsharethatIhavelearnedthatwouldhelpsomeoneelse?”

Dividetheinformationintonaturalsequencesoftimeand/oreventsandles-sonslearned.Usetheprogressionsthatyouhavefoundandrecorded.Thenthinkofsomeeasily rememberedways to titleeachsection.Keepthese titles true tothemajorcontentofeachsection,makinguseofrhymes,alliterations,andothermemorydevices.Useyourimaginationinthislaststep!

AnillustrationofatransferableoutlineofthelifeofBarnabasmightlooklikethis:

• He was an investor of money in the lives of church members (Acts4:36–37).

• He was the introducer of Saul (later Paul) to the apostles (Acts9:26–28).

• HewastheinspectorofthenewchurchatAntioch(Acts11:22–24).• Hewasan instructorofnewChristians, includingPaulandMark (Acts

11:22–26;15:39).• Hewastheinitiatoronthefirstmissionaryjourney,whichhebeganasthe

teamleaderbutendedasateammember(Acts13–14).• HewasaninterpreterofthedoctrineofsalvationandGod’splanforthe

Gentiles(Acts13–14).• HewasinsistentingivingMarkanotherchancetobetrainedinthegospel

ministry(Acts15:36–39).

conclusion

In the10-stepprocedure justgiven, it issuggestedthatyoureadallyourrefer-encesthroughfourtimes.Actually,thisisa.minimumnumber.Themoretimesyoureviewthepassagesaboutthepersonyouarestudying,themoreyouaregoingtoobserve.(Seetheobservationsectionsinchapter10ofthisbook.)


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HOWTOFILLINTHEBIOGrAPHICALSTUDYFOrM

AttheendofthischapterisaBiographicalStudyFormthatyoucanreproduceoruseasaguideforwritingonyourownsheetsofpaper.Theformliststhe10stepsalreadydiscussedfordoingthisstudy.


Fill in the blanks of each of the 10 parts as described in the section above. Ifyouneedmoreroom,usethebackoftheformorallowmoreroomonyourownpaper.


SeetheexampleonthelifeofStephenattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

AppendixDprovidesalistofthemajorandminormenandprominentwomenoftheBible.Selectfromthoselistsanypeoplewhoparticularlyinterestyou.Ifyouarejustbeginningthismethodofstudy,youmightwanttodothefollowingpeoplefirst:

1. MaryofBethany 2. Andrew 3. Caleb 4. ruth 5. Daniel

For Further Reading

Manybookshavebeenwritten on themenandwomenof theBible. The oneslistedherearesomeofthebetterones.remember,however,nottoreadthebooksbeforedoingyourstudy;doyourstudyfirst,thenchecktoseewhatothershavediscoveredaboutthatperson.

All.of.the.Women.of.the.Bible.byEdithDeen(HarperSanFrancisco)All.the.Men.of.the.Bible.byHerbertLockyer(Zondervan)All.the.Women.of.the.Bible.byHerbertLockyer(Zondervan)

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The.Complete.Book.of.Who’s.Who.in.the.Bible.byPhilipComfortandWalterElwell(Tyndale)Her.Name.Is.Woman,.Books.I.and.2,.byGienKarssen(NavPress)Lost.Women.of.the.Bible.byCarolynCustisJames(Zondervan)Making.of.a.Man.of.God.(onDavid)byAlanredpath(revell)Men.of.the.Bible.byAnnSpanglerandrobertWolgemuth(Zondervan)New.International.Encyclopedia.of.Bible.Characters,.editedbyPaulGardner(Zondervan)The.Oxford.Guide.to.People.and.Places.of.the.Bible,.editedbyBruceMetzgerandMichael

Coogan(OxfordUniversityPress)Robust.in.Faith.byJ.OswaldSanders(MoodyPress)Women.of.the.Bible.byAnnSpanglerandJeanSyswerda(Zondervan)

BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM

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1. naMe Stephen

2. Scripture reFerenceS

Acts6:3–8:2Acts11:19Acts22:20

3. FirSt iMpreSSiOnS anD OBServatiOnS

StephenwasanearlyChristianwhohadatremendoustestimonyinthechurch,wasapowerfulpreacherandwitness,andwaswillingtodieforhisfaith.

4. Outline OF hiS Or her liFe

A.Chosenbytheearlychurchasaleader— 1. tohelpresolveaconflict(Acts6:5) 2.onthebasisofcertaingodlycharacteristics(Acts6:3,5,8) B.Hehadawideministry— 1.waitedontables(Acts6:2,5) 2.performedmiracles(Acts6:8) 3.preachedandtaughtpowerfully(Acts6:10) C.Hewaspersecuted— 1.opposedbyJewsfrom“overseas”(Acts6:9) 2. falselyaccused(Acts6:11) 3.arrestedandbroughtbeforetheSanhedrin(Acts6:12–14) a.falsewitnessestestifiedagainsthim. b.defended himself with a masterful review of O.T. Scripture (Acts

7:2–53) c. testifiedtoJesus(Acts7:55–56) d.lynchedbyanangrymob(Acts7:57–60) D.He had a ministry after his death—persecution caused the church to

spread(Acts8:2–4;11:19)

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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM 5. general inSightS (Answers to Questions)

A.Whywashechosentobealeader?Because— •HewasfulloftheHolySpiritandwisdom(Acts6:3). •HewasfulloffaithandtheSpirit(Acts6:5). •HewasfullofGod’sgraceandpower(Acts6:8). •HeknewtheScriptures(Acts7:2–53). B.Whatwashisresponsetofalseaccusations?He“kepthiscool,”remained

silent,andonlyansweredwhenhewasdirectedtospeakbythehighpriest. C.ArethereanyparallelswithJesus?Yes,hewasfalselyaccused,demon-

stratedloveandconcernforhisaccusers,anddiedan“undeserved”death. D.Whatwashisattitudetowardhisexecutioners?Hewasforgiving,evento

thepointofprayingthatGodwouldforgivethemfortheirsinofmurder. E.Whatwerethelong-termresultsofhislife,ministry,anddeath? •TheyforwardedtheplanofGod. •HisdeathcausedthedisciplestoscatterandtaketheGospeltoother

partsofJudea,Samaria,andregionsbeyondPalestineinfulfillmentofActs1:8.

•HisdeathalsohelpedbringPaultotheLord.


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6. character QualitieS iDentiFieD TheBookofActs

• Spirit-filled(6:3,5,10)• Wise(6:3,10)• Faithful(6:5)• AvailabletoGod(6:8)• Persistent(6:10)• Holy(6:15)• Knowledgeable(chap.7)• Bold(7:51–53)• Brave(7:51–53)• Forgiving(7:60)• respectedbyothers(8:2)• AwitnesstoJesus(22:20)

7. BiBle truthS illuStrateD in hiS Or her liFe

• The presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit in the trials of life (Acts7:54–55;Hebrews13:5–6).

• Falseaccusationsandpersecutionwillcomeintoourlives(Acts6:11ff). • God’s grace is sufficient when we walk with him (Acts 6:10; 1Cor.

1:27–31;2Cor.12:9).

8. SuMMary OF leSSOnS learneD FrOM hiS Or her liFe

TheoutstandingcharacteristicofStephenwashiscommitmenttotheLordandhiswillingnesstodoanythingforhim,includinggivinguphislife.

This commitment is seen in the fact that he was a man who walkedwithGod(hewas“fulloftheSpiritandwisdom...faith...God’sgraceandpower”).Hehadagreattestimonybeforeothersinthechurch.Hewitnessedtopeoplebothinlifeandindeath.

Hewas,furthermore,amanoftheWord.HereallyknewhisBible—theOldTestament.Hemusthavespenthoursstudyingthescrollsandtheparchments.

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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM 9. perSOnal applicatiOn

IneedtobecomeapersonlikeStephen—apersonoftheWordwhoknowsJesusChristintimatelyandwhoisabletoanswerotherswithScripturewhentheyaskquestions.Asaresultofthisstudy,Iwillcommitmyselftohavingadailyquiettimeforatleast15minutestogettoknowChristbetter.IwillalsocommitmyselftomemorizingtwoScriptureverseseachweeksothatIcananswerpeoplewhoaskmequestions.

10. tranSFeraBle cOnceptS (ways i can share this with others)

Theconceptsinthisstudythataretransferable: A. ThenecessityofapersonalwalkwithJesusChrist.Theonlywaywe

canbecomemenandwomenoffaithandwisdomlikeStephenistohaveadailyquiettimewiththeLord.StephenhadadynamicwalkwithJesusChrist.

B. ThenecessityofbeingintheWordofGodonaregularbasis—BiblestudyandScripturememory. If IamtoknowmyBibleasStephendid,Ineedtospendqualitytimeinitandbeabletoteachothershowtodosoaswell.Thisbookisonemeanstohelpmedoso.Ineedtosharethesemethodswithothers.

C. The necessity of courage in times of adversity and persecution. IneedtopraythatGodwillgivemeboldnesswithothers.

11. SOMeOne with whOM i intenD tO Share thiS StuDy

PatConnerandTommyPauter(byemail)


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1. naMe

2. Scripture reFerenceS

3. FirSt iMpreSSiOnS anD OBServatiOnS

4. Outline OF hiS Or her liFe

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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM 5. general inSightS (Answers to Questions)


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6. character QualitieS iDentiFieD

7. BiBle truthS illuStrateD in hiS Or her liFe

8. SuMMary OF leSSOnS learneD FrOM hiS Or her liFe

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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM 9. perSOnal applicatiOn

10. tranSFeraBle cOnceptS (ways i can share this with others)

11. SOMeOne with whOM i intenD tO Share thiS StuDy

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OneofthemostexcitingwaystostudytheBibleisbyexaminingtopics.TheTopi-calMethodissimilartotheThematicMethod(seechapter4),buttherearesomeimportantdifferences.OneisthattheTopicalMethodusuallytakeslongerthantheThematicMethodbecausewestudymoreverses.Atopicusuallyhasmanyminorthemes running through it,and ina topicalstudyweconsiderallof the relatedthemes.AnotherdifferenceisthatwiththeTopicalMethodwedonotdecideaheadoftimewhatquestionswewanttoask.Instead,weexamineeachversewithoutpredeterminedguidelinesandrecordalloftheinsightswediscover.WedonotlimitourstudytojustfindingtheanswerstofourorfivequestionsasintheThematicMethod.

Definition

TheTopicalMethodofBibleStudyinvolvesselectingabiblicalsubjectandtrac-ingitthroughasinglebook,fromeithertheOldorNewTestament,ortheentireBibleinordertodiscoverwhatGodsaysaboutthetopic.Itusesextensivecross-referencing,andthequestionsyouaskofagiventextare limitless.Somegood

6THe TOPicaL MeTHOD Of

BiBLe sTUDY

How to Trace a Topic through Scripture

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examplesoftopicalstudiesbasedontheKingJamesVersionmaybefoundinthebackoftheThompson.Chain.Reference.BibleandinDickson’s.New.Analytical.Study.Bible (WorldPublishers).ForstudiesbuiltonacontemporaryBibleversion,seetheZondervan.Dictionary.of.Bible.Themes(editedbyMartinManser[Zondervan])andtheNIV.Thematic.Study.Bible (editedbyAlisterMcGrath[Hodder&Stough-ton]).Everybookcontainsanumberoftopicsthatthewriterhascarefullywoventogether.TheTopicalMethodcanbeusedtostudyadoctrine,anidea,aphrase,orbasicallyanysubjectthatismentionedintheBible.

the imPortance of the toPical stuDy

TheTopicalMethodisimportantforthefollowingreasons:

1. ItenablesustostudytheWordofGodsystematically,logically,andinanorderlymanner.

2. Itgivesusaproperperspectiveandbalanceregardingbiblicaltruth.Wegettoseethewholeofabiblicalteaching.

3. Itallowsustostudysubjectsthatareofparticularinteresttous. 4. ItenablesustostudythegreatdoctrinesoftheBible. 5. Itlendsitselftogoodandlivelydiscussions.Theresultsofatopicalstudy

arealwayseasytosharewithothers. 6. ItallowsusvarietyinourlifetimecommitmenttopersonalBiblestudy.

ThenumberoftopicsintheBiblethatwecanstudyisalmostlimitless.

tools you Will neeD

Thereferencetoolsyouwillneedforthismethodofstudyarethestandardones.rememberthatnotopicalBiblehaseveryverseonanygiventopic.Ifyouwanttodoathoroughstudyonaselectedtopic,youwillhavetouseanexhaustiveconcor-dance.Theneededtoolsare

• AstudyBible• Anexhaustiveconcordance• AtopicalBible

The.Topical.Method.of.Bible.Study

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suggestions for a gooD toPical stuDy

Dr.r.A.Torrey,agreatBiblescholarandteacher,givesthreesuggestionsthatarehelpful instudyingtheBible topically (How.to.Study.the.Bible,.WhitakerHouse).Theseare

1.Be.systematic .Don’t trytostudytheBible inahaphazardmannerthat isbasicallyundisciplined.Makealistofallthethingsrelatedtoyourtopic,andmakeitascomprehensiveandcompleteaspossible.Thentakeuptheseitemsoneatatime,studyingtheminasystematicandlogicalorder.

2.Be.thorough .Asfaraspossible,findandstudyeveryversethatrelatestothetopic.TheonlywaytoknoweverythingGodhassaidonatopicistogothroughtheentireBibleandfindallthepassagesonthattopic.Useyourconcordancetodothis.

3.Be.exact .Trytogettheexactmeaningofeveryverseyoustudy.Besuretoexaminethecontextofeachversetoavoidmisinterpretation.Thebiggestmistakeyoumustavoidistakingaverseoutofitscontext.

Step One — Compile a List of Words

Step twO — Collect Bible References

Step three — Consider Each Reference Individually

Step FOur — Compare and Group the References

Step Five — Condense Your Study into an Outline

Step Six — Conclude Your Study

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simPle stePs on Doing a toPical stuDy

Essentially,atopicalstudyisbuiltaroundsixsteps,eachofwhichcanbesum-marizedwithoneword:

• Compilealistofallthewordsrelatedtothetopic.• Collectallthereferences.• Considereachverseindividually.• Compareallthereferenceswithoneanother.• Condenseyourfindingintoanoutline.• Concludebysummarizingandapplyingthetopic.

Beforestartingonthesixsteps,chooseatopicthatinterestsyou.Itmaybespecificallymentionedormerelyimpliedinthetext,butitshouldbeimportant,bothincontentandpersonalinterest.Whenyouusethismethodofstudyforthefirsttime,pickatopicthatisnottoovastortime-consuming.YoumightrestrictyourtopictoreferencesfoundinatestamentorasinglebookoftheBible.

Step One Compile a List of Words

Makealistofalltherelatedwords(synonymsandantonyms),phrases,events,andanythingelsethatcouldhavesomethingtodowithyourtopic.Ifyouarestudyingsuffering,forexample,youwillwanttolistwordssuchasaffliction,.anger,.chas-tisement,.grief,.health,.pain,.sorrow,.trials,andtribulation.Ifyouseethatyourtopichasbecometoobroad,narrowitdowntoamanageablesize.

Step twO Collect Bible References

Takeyourreferencetoolsandbegintogatheralltheversesyoucanfindonthetopic.LookupinyourconcordanceeachrelatedwordlistedinStepOne.Makealistofallversesthatrelateinanywaytothetopic.Also,youwillwanttouseyourtopicalBibletofindversesforstudy.


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Step three Consider Each Reference Individually

UsingtheComparisonChartattheendofthischapter, lookup,read,andstudyeachindividualreferenceandwritedownyourobservationsandinsightsonit.(YouwillusetheComparisonChartforbothStepThreeandStepFour.)Besuretocheckthecontext(surroundingverses)carefullywhenstudyingaverse,tomakesureyouareinterpretingitcorrectly.

Askasmanyquestionsasyoucanabouteachverseyoustudy.remembertousethegreatwhat,why,when,where,who,andhowquestions.Don’tforgettodefineallkeywordsyoucomeacross.

Step FOur Compare and Group the References

Afteryouhavecarefullystudiedallyourversesindividually,youwillbegintonoticethatsomeof thereferencesnaturallycomplementeachotheranddealwith thesameareasof the topicunderstudy.Categorize thesereferencesonapieceofscratchpaper.

Step Five Condense Your Study into an Outline

Using the categories from Step Four, logically arranged as your main divisions,outlineyourstudy.Dothisbygroupingrelatedorsimilarreferencestogetherintonaturaldivisions.Thenorganizethesedivisionsintoalogicalpattern.Inhelpingyouorganizeyourstudy,thisstepwillalsoenableyoutoshareitwithothers.

Step Six Conclude Your Study

Inyourtwo-partconclusion,summarizeyourfindingsinabriefparagraphandthenwriteoutapracticalapplicationdrawnfromthissummary.remembertobeper-sonalandpractical,writingapossibleandmeasurableapplication.

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HOWTOFILLINTHETOPICALSTUDYFOrM

AttheendofthischapterisaTopicalStudyFormthatyoucanreproduceorcopyontoyourownsheetofpaper.


Followthestepsjustgiven,addingextraformsforStepThreeandStepFourasneededandusingadditionalsheetsofpaperifyouneedspaceforStepFiveandStepSixinalongerstudy.Followthisprocedure:

• Topic:Selectthetopicandwriteinthefirstblanktheexactnameofwhatyouplantostudy.

• List.of.Words:WriteoutanywordsrelatedtothetopicthatyouwillbelookingupinaconcordanceandtopicalBible.

• Bible. References: Make a list of all theScripture references you havefoundthatdealwithyourtopic.

• Comparison.Chart(forStepsThreeandFour):Fillinthechartthisway:

1. references—writeouttheverse(s)fromtheBibleversionofyourchoiceorjustlisteachreference.

2. Cross-reference—findsomeotherversesintheBiblethatcomplementorshedlightontheverseyouarestudying.

3. ObservationandInsights—recordtheinsightsyoufind.

• Comparisons.and.Grouping:Afteryouhavefilledoutyourchartoneachverse, compare the verses with one another. Begin grouping similarversestogetheronasheetofscratchpaper.

• Condensed. Outline: Using the categories you developed in Step Four,makeanoutlineofyourstudy.Thereisnoonerightwaytooutlineyourstudy,sodoitthewaythatiseasiestforyou.

• Conclusion:Writeoutasummaryofyourconclusionsinthisspace.Thenwriteoutawayyoucanapplywhatyou’velearnedtoyourlife.


Seetheexampleattheendofthischapter.


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Assignment

Atopicalstudy isoneof themost interestingwaysyoucanapproachtheBible,andthenumberoftopicstochoosefromislimitless.HerearesomesuggestionsofmajorcategoriesintheBiblethatcouldbestudiedtopically:

1.Doctrines 7.Attitudes2.Miracles 8.Animals3.Prayers 9.TheFamily4.Problems 10.GreatQuestions5.Promises 11.DutiestoGod6.Prophecies 12.Disciple-making

For Further Reading

Numerous valuable books are available on topics found in the Bible. Some ofthemostusefulinthisareaarewrittenbyDr.HerbertLockyerandpublishedbyZondervan.

All.the.Doctrines.of.the.BibleAll.the.Prayers.of.the.BibleAll.the.Miracles.of.the.BibleAll.the.Prophecies.of.the.BibleAll.the.Promises.of.the.Bible

SeealsothebooksandBiblesmentionedearlierinthechapter.

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TOPicaL sTUDY fORMtOpic TheFaithfulMan(2Timothy2:2)

1. cOMpile a liSt OF wOrDS

Faithful

2. cOllect BiBle reFerenceS

1Samuel2:351Samuel22:14Nehemiah7:2Nehemiah13:13Isaiah8:2Daniel6:4Psalm12:1Proverbs20:6Proverbs28:20Matthew24:45Luke16:10–13Luke19:171Corinthians1:91Corinthians4:1–2,16–171Corinthians10:13Ephesians6:21Colossians1:7Colossians4:7,91Timothy1:122Timothy2:21Peter5:121John1:9

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Reference Cross-References Observations and Insights

Numbers12:7 •MoseswascalledfaithfulbyGod.

1Samuel2:35 • ItwasprophesiedthatSamuelwouldbeafaithfulman.

•AfaithfulmanisobedienttoGod’swill.

1Samuel22:14 •DavidwascalledafaithfulmanbyAhim-elech.

Nehemiah7:2 Matthew24:45 •HananiwascalledafaithfulmanbyNehemiah.

•Afaithfulmanisgivenleadershiproles.

Nehemiah9:7–8 •AbrahamwasconsideredfaithfulbytheLord.

Nehemiah13:13 •Nehemiahconsideredhistreasurersfaithful,sohegavethemresponsibility.

Isaiah8:2 •UriahandZechariahwerefaithfulwit-nessesinthesightoftheLord.

Daniel6:4 John19:4 •ThePersianprincescouldnotaccuseDanielofanywrongdoing,becausehewasafaithfulman.

•Afaithfulmanlivesablamelesstesti-monybeforetheworld.

Psalm12:1 Proverbs20:6Philippians2:19–20

•Faithfulpeoplearefewinnumberandhardtofind.

c O M Pa R i s O n c H a R T s T e P s 3 a n D 4

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Proverbs20:6 Philippians2:19–22

• Therearenotmanyfaithfulpeopleintheworld.

• Afaithfulmancaresabouttheinter-estsofothers,whileanunfaithfulmanisalwaysbraggingabouthimselfandservinghimself.

Proverbs28:20 •Afaithfulmanaboundswithblessing.•Afaithfulmanhashisvaluesright,in

contrastwithsomeonewhoiseagertogetrich.

Matthew24:45 Nehemiah7:2 •Afaithfulmanisgivenleadershiproles.

Matthew25:21,23

Luke19:17 •AfaithfulservantwillberewardedwithgreaterresponsibilitiesinheavenandwillexperiencetheLord’sjoyoverhisfaithfulness.

Luke16:10–13 •Thispassageshowsfourwaystotestaperson’sfaithfulness:(1)Testhiminsmallthingsbeforegivinghimbigthings.(2)Testhiminnonspiritualmat-tersbeforegivinghimspiritualtruth.(3)Testhiminhowhevalueswhatisn’this.(4)TesthiscommitmenttoGod.

Luke19:17 Matthew25:21,23 •Afaithfulservantisrewardedwithgreaterresponsibility.

1Corinthians1:9 1Corinthians10:131John1:9

•Godisfaithful.

c O M Pa R i s O n c H a R T

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1Corinthians4:1–2

•Afaithfulmandemonstrateswisestew-ardship.

1Corinthians4:16–17

Ephesians6:21Colossians1:7Colossians4:7,9

•TimothywascalledafaithfulmanbyPaul.

Afaithfulman’sdisciplershowscon-fidenceinhimbysendinghiminhisplace.

1Corinthians10:13

1Corinthians1:91John1:9

•Godisfaithful.

Ephesians6:21 Colossians4:7 •TychicuswascalledafaithfulministerbyPaul.

Colossians1:7 •EpaphraswasafaithfulministerofJesusChrist.

Colossians4:7 Ephesians6:21 •TychicuswassentbyPaultotheColos-siansbecausehewasareliable,faithfulman.

Colossians4:9 •OnesimuswasconsideredfaithfulbyPaul.

1Timothy1:12 •GodconsideredPaulfaithful.•Afaithfulmanwillbegivenaministry.

2Timothy2:2 •Afaithfulmanisentrustedwithspiritualtruth.

•Afaithfulmanpassesontootherswhathehaslearned.

1Peter5:12 •SilaswascalledfaithfulbyPeter.


TOPicaL sTUDY fORM

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TOPicaL sTUDY fORM5. cOnDenSeD Outline

I. FaithfulnessIsaGodlyQuality A.1Corinthians1:9 B.1Corinthians10:13 C.1John1:9 II.FaithfulMenAreHardtoFind A.Psalm12:1 B.Proverbs20:6 C.Philippians2:19–20 III.BiblicalExamplesofFaithfulMen A.OldTestamentExamples 1.Abraham—Nehemiah9:7–8 2.Moses—Numbers12:7 3.Samuel—1Samuel2:35 4.David—1Samuel22:14 5.Hanani—Nehemiah7:2 6.Nehemiah’streasurers—Nehemiah13:13 7. UriahandZechariah—Isaiah8:2 8.Daniel—Daniel6:4 B.NewTestamentExamples 1.Timothy—1Corinthians4:17 2.Tychicus—Ephesians6:21 3.Epaphras—Colossians1:7 4.Onesimus—Colossians4:9 5.Paul—1Timothy1:12 6.Silas—1Peter5:12 C. Insights 1.ManymencalledfaithfulintheNewTestamentreceivedtrainingfrom

Paul. 2.Paul himself was a faithful man. He was an example to those he

trained.

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IV.CharacteristicsofaFaithfulMan A.Hecaresforothers’interests,nothisown(Prov.20:6;Phil.2:19–22). B.Hehashisvaluesright.Heisnotanxioustogetrich(Prov.28:20). C.Helivesablamelesstestimonybeforetheworld(Dan.6:4). D.HeisobedienttoGod’swill(1Sam.2:35). E.Hedemonstrateswisestewardship(1Cor.4:1–2). F.Hepassesontootherswhathehaslearned(2Tim.2:2). V.WaystoTestaMan’sFaithfulness(Luke16:10–13) A.Testhiminsmallresponsibilitiesbeforegivinghimlargeones(v.10). B.Testhiminnonspiritualmattersbeforegivinghimspiritualtruth(v.11). C.Testhim inhowhevalueswhat isn’this,beforegivinghimhisown.

Observe how he serves faithfully in someone else’s ministry beforesendinghimoutonhisown(v.12).

D.TesthiminhiscommitmenttoGod(v.13). VI.TheBenefitsofBeingaFaithfulMan A.Heisgivenleadershiproles(Neh.7:2;Matt.24:45). B.Hewillaboundwithblessing(Prov.28:20). C.Hewillberewardedwithgreaterresponsibilitiesinheavenandwillexpe-

riencetheLord’sjoyoverhisfaithfulness(Matt.25:21,23;Luke19:17). D.Heisgivenaministry(1Tim.1:12). E.Heisentrustedwithspiritualtruth(2Tim.2:2). F.Hisdisciplershowsconfidenceinhimbysendinghiminhisplace(1Cor.

4:16–17;Phil.2:19–24;Eph.6:21).

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TOPicaL sTUDY fORM6. cOncluSiOn (Summary and Application)

AsIdidthisstudyonthefaithfulman,Godhasimpressedonmetheneedtobemorefaithfulintwospecificareas.First,Ineedtobemorefaithfulinmyprayerlife;Ihavetobemoredisciplinedinsettingasideadailyperiodforprayer.Sec-ond,Ineedtobemorefaithfulinmyfinances.Luke16:10isaverseIneeded.ItteachesthatifIamnotfaithfulinhandlingmymoney,Godwillnottrustmewithtrueriches—spiritualblessings.

projects

• Iplantomemorizethepassageon“Testsofaman’sfaithfulness”bynextweek:Luke16:10–13.

• Iwill setupa familybudgetwithmywife thisweekend.Wewill startkeepingbetterrecordsofhowwespendourmoneyandwillaskGodtoguideusinourspending,saving,andgiving.

• Iwillbeginspending20minuteseachmorningbeforebreakfasttoreviewmyprayerlistandpray.

TOPicaL sTUDY fORM

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tOpic

1. cOMplete a liSt OF wOrDS

2. cOllect BiBle reFerenceS

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3. COnSiDer eACh reFerenCe inDiviDuAlly 4. COmpAre AnD grOup the reFerenCeS



TOPicaL sTUDY fORM

TOPicaL sTUDY fORM

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5. cOnDenSeD Outline

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TOPicaL sTUDY fORM6. cOncluSiOn (Summary and Application)

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TheBiblewasoriginallywritteninHebrew,Aramaic,andGreek.EventhoughtheaverageChristiandoesnotknowthese languages,wecanstilldowordstudiesbecauseof theavailabilityofmanyexcellent translationsandreference tools. Inthepast,peoplewhowereinterestedindoingpersonalBiblestudyhadto learntheoriginallanguages.OnlythosewhohadspentyearslearningGreekandHebrewwereabletoenjoytheexcitinginsightsthatcomefromstudyingtheoriginalwordsof Scripture. Today, however, the riches to be found inword studies arewithinreachofeveryChristianwhoknowswhattoolsareavailable.

Definition

The Word Study Method of Bible Study takes a microscopic look at the origin,definition,occurrences,andusesofaparticularword,especiallyasitrelatestothecontextofapassageofScripture.Thepurposeistolearnaspreciselyandcompre-hensivelyaspossiblewhatthebiblicalwritermeantbythewordheused.

7THe WORD sTUDY


How to Discover the Meanings of Bible Words

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Why you shoulD stuDy WorDs in the BiBle

IrvingJensenhassaid,“Justasagreatdoorswingsonsmallhinges,sotheimpor-tant theological statements of the Bible often depend upon even the smallestwords,suchasprepositionsandarticles”(Enjoy.Your.Bible,WorldWidePublica-tions,p.96).MostofthegreatdoctrinesoftheWordofGodrevolvearoundasingleword,suchasgrace,.atonement,orfaith.Inordertounderstandthedeepestmean-ingofScripture,wemuststudythespecificwordsthatwereused.

Correctinterpretationofbiblicaltruthsdependsonthecorrectunderstandingofthewordsusedtoconveythesetruths.Daviddeclared,“ThewordsoftheLOrDareflawless,likesilverrefinedinafurnaceofclay,purifiedseventimes”(Ps.12:6).OneofthewritersofProverbsstatedsimilarly,“EverywordofGodisflawless;heisashieldtothosewhotakerefugeinhim”(Prov.30:5).

But these flawless words were written in a language other than ours, andtheirfullmeaningsarenotalwaystransmittedcompletelythroughatranslation.Infact,notranslationisperfect,becausenotwolanguagescorrespondexactly.Word

Step One — Choose Your Word

Step twO — Find Its English Definition

Step three — Compare Translations

Step FOur — Write down the Definition of the Original Word

Step Five — Check the Word’s Occurrences in the Bible

Step Six — Find the Root Meaning and Origin of the Word

Step Seven — Discover the Word’s Usage in the Bible

Step eight — Write Out an Application

The.Word.Study.Method.of.Bible.Study

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equivalentsdonotalwaysexistbetweenlanguages,so instudyingtheBiblewemayhavetosearchoutthefullmeaningofawordthatthetranslatorswereunabletosqueezeintothechosentext.

Furthermore,whentheoriginal textof theBiblewastranslated intoEnglish,some 6,000 different words were used, whereas in the Hebrew, Aramaic, andGreekoriginal,11,280wordswereused(Jensen,Enjoy.Your.Bible,p.96).Sohowdoyoufit11,000wordsinto6,000?Bytranslatingseveraldifferentoriginal lan-guagewordsintooneEnglishword.Forexample,intheNewTestamenttheEnglishwordservanttranslatessevendifferentGreekwords,eachofwhichhadaslightlydifferentshadeofmeaningforaservant.Ourlanguage,alaterone,isunabletocompletelygivethefullmeaningsoftheoriginalbiblicallanguages.

Wemustkeeptwothingsinmindwhendoingawordstudy.First,ourwordstudiesmustbebasedontheoriginallanguagewords,notontheEnglishwords.Second,wemustalwaysallowthecontexttoindicatetheultimatemeaningofthewordbeingstudied,nomatterwhattheEnglishequivalentmightbe.

tools you Will neeD

ForthismethodofBiblestudy,youwillneedmorereferencetoolsthanyouhaveusedwithothermethods.Thenecessarytoolsare

• AstudyBible.• Severalrecenttranslations.(Thesewillenableyoutoseethewordsdif-

ferenttranslatorschosefromtheoriginalones.Donotuseparaphrasesinthisstudy.)

• Anexhaustiveconcordance.• ABibledictionaryand/orencyclopedia.• Asetofwordstudies(seetheIntroductiontothisbook).• AgoodEnglishdictionary.• IfyouhavehadsomeGreek,The.Englishman’s.Greek.Concordance.of.the.

New.Testament(Zondervan)willbeuseful.• The.Word.Study.ConcordanceanditscompanionvolumeThe.Word.Study.

New.TestamentbyralphWinter(WilliamCareyLibrary).

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three common Difficulties in Doing WorD stuDies

AsyoubeginthismethodofBiblestudy,youneedtobeawareofsomedifficultiesyoumightruninto.

1..Sometimes.several.Greek.words.are.translated.by.just.one.English.word .Wehave alreadynoted that the Englishwordservant has sevenGreek equivalents,eachwithadifferentshadeofmeaning.Besuretocheckyourconcordancecare-fullytoseeifthismightbetrueofthewordyouarestudying.Findoutwhateachdifferentoriginalwordmeant.

2.Sometimes.one.Greek.or.Hebrew.word.is.translated.several.ways.in.English .Toovercomethisdifficultyyouwillhavetodoacarefulstudyonallthedifferentrenderingsofthatoriginalword.Youcandothisquiteeasilythroughtheuseofyourexhaustiveconcordance.Forexample,theGreekwordkoinonia. istranslatedfivedifferentwaysintheKingJamesVersion:(1)“communication”—once;(2)“com-munion”—4times;(3)“contribution”—once;(4)“distribution”—once;and(5)“fellowship”—12times.

Followthisprocedureinsolvingthisdifficulty:

• Listthedifferentwaysthewordistranslated.• Listhowmanytimesitistranslatedeachway.• Giveexamplesofeachtranslation(ifpossible).• Writedownhowthedifferentmeaningsmightberelated.• Determineifthewriterofthebookisusingthewordyouarestudyingin

asinglesenseorisgivingitamultiplemeaning.

3.Sometimes.an.original.word.is.translated.by.a.whole.phrase.in.English .Thisdifficultywilltakealittlemoreworktoovercomebecauseconcordancesdonotlistwordtranslationsbyphrases.YouwillhavetocomparetherecentversionsoftheBibleyouareusingtoseehowthevarioustranslatorshaverenderedtheword.Forexample,PauldeclaredtotheCorinthians,“Butweall,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord”(2Cor.3:18KJV).Thephrase“beholdingasinaglass”isjustonewordintheoriginalGreek(katoptrizomenoi ),andyouwilldiscoversomeinterestingtruthswhenyoustudytheoriginofthatword.


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simPle stePs on Doing a WorD stuDy

TheWordStudyFormhaseightsections,oneforeachofthestepsinthisstudy,andaspaceforlistingthereferencetoolsthatyouuseindoingit.

Step One Choose Your Word

InyourpreviouspersonalBiblestudy,youmayhavewonderedwhatcertainwordsmeant.Chooseawordthatyouwonderedaboutorareinterestedin,orchooseonefromthelistinappendixE.

Step twO Find Its English Definition

UseyourEnglishdictionaryandwriteoutthedefinitionoftheEnglishword.Listwiththedefinitionanysynonymsorantonymsoftheword.

Step three Compare Translations

readindifferentrecenttranslationsthepassageswherethiswordisused.Writedownthedifferentrenderingsofthewordthatyoufind.Takenoteofanyrenderingsthatarerepeatedlyandcommonlyusedinthesetranslations.

Step FOur Write Down the Definition of the Original Word

Findoutwhattheoriginalwordisinyourexhaustiveconcordanceorwordstudybookandwritedownitsdefinition.Youmayfindithasanumberofusages.

Step Five Check the Word’s Occurrences in the Bible

Usingyourconcordanceagain, findouthowandwhere theword isused in theBible.Askthesequestions:

• HowmanytimesdoesthewordoccurintheBible?• Inwhatbooksdoesitoccur?• Whatwritersusedtheword?• Inwhatbookdoesitoccurmost?• WheredoesthewordoccurfirstintheBible?• WheredoesitoccurfirstinthebookIamstudying?

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Step Six Find the Root Meaning and Origin of the Word

Thisstepbringsyouintosomeresearch.Youwillwanttoreadafullerdiscussionofthemeaningandoriginofthewordyouarestudying,usingaBibledictionary,aBibleencyclopedia,awordstudyset,oratheologicalwordbook.

Step Seven Discover the Word’s Usage in the Bible

Hereyouwillwant to findouthow theword isused in theBible. Thestudyoftherootmeaning(StepSix)toldyouwhatthewordmeantoriginallyandwhereitcamefrom,butsomewordschangetheirmeaningswiththepassageoftime.Also,theymighthavedifferentmeaningsindifferentsituationsandcontexts.Inthefinalanalysis,theusageofawordisthemostimportantfactorindeterminingitstruemeaning.Fulfillthisstepinthefollowingthreeways:

1.Find.out.how.the.word.was.used.during.the.time.the.book.of.the.Bible.was.written .HowwasitusedinotherwritingsbesidestheBible?Tofindoutwhatthewordmeantandhowitwasusedinthecultureoftheday,youwillhavetolookatextrabiblicalmaterials(forexample,historiesofthetime);manytimes,however,thewordstudysetyouareusingwillhavethisinformation.Advancedstudentsandpeoplewhoknowtheoriginal languagesmayfindthis informationintheologicaldictionariesandHebrewandGreeklexicons.

2. Find. out. how. the. word. is. used. in. the. Bible . Using your exhaustive con-cordance,findouthowthewordistranslatedeverytimeitappearsintheBible.OftentheScripturesdefinewordsthroughusageandillustrations;thisisawayoffindingoutthescripturaldefinition.Youmayalsoasksomeorallofthefollowingquestions:

• Howdoesthewriterusethewordinotherpartsofthebook?• Howdoesthewriterusethewordinotherbookshehaswritten?• Howisthewordusedthroughoutthewholetestament?• Does the word have more than one usage? If so, what are its other

uses?• Whatisthemostfrequentuseoftheword?• HowisitusedthefirsttimeintheScriptures?


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3.Find.out.how.the.word.is.used.in.the.context.of.the.passage .Thisistheulti-matetest.Thecontextwillbeyourmostreliablesourceforinsightsintowhatthewriterreallymeant.Askthesequestions:

• Doesthecontextgiveanycluestothemeaningoftheword?• Isthewordcomparedorcontrastedwithanotherwordinthecontext?• Is thereany illustration in thecontext thatclarifies themeaningof the

word?

Step eight Write Out an Application

Be especially careful to keep your goal of “application, not interpretation only”inmindwhenyoudoawordstudy.rememberthatyouaredoingpersonalBiblestudy,notjustconductinganacademicexercise.Discoveringthefullmeaningofabiblicalwordisnotanendinitself,becauseawordstudywithoutapplicationhaslittlespiritualvalue.Indoingthisstudy,constantlyaskyourself,“Howcanunder-standingthiswordstrengthenmyspirituallife?”Sowriteoutanapplication,usingthesuggestionsinchapter1.

resource Books useD

Thelastblanksectiononyourstudyformhasaplacetolistthereferencetoolsyouusedinyourwordstudy.Thisistohelpyourememberthemostusefulresourcebooksforuseinthefuture.

HOWTOFILLINTHEWOrDSTUDYFOrM

UsetheWordStudyFormattheendofthechapteroryourownsheetofpaperwiththesamedivisions.


Followthestepsoutlinedaboveandwriteinthediscoveriesyoumake.Ifyouneedmoreroom,usethebackoftheformorsheet.

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Seetheexampleofthewordrepentinthesamplefilled-outformattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

YoumaywanttostartthisBiblestudymethodbystudyingwordsyouhavebeenwonderingabout.Oryoumaywanttobeginwithsomeimportantdoctrinalwords.AsuggestedlistofwordsisprovidedinappendixE.

For Further Reading

The.Complete.Word-Study.Dictionary.of.the.Old.Testament.byEugeneCarpenter(AMG)Gems.from.the.Original.byHaroldJ.Berry(BacktotheBibleBroadcast)The.New.International.Dictionary.of.New.Testament.Theology:.Abridged.Edition,.editedbyVerlyn

Verbrugge(Zondervan)New.Testament.Words.byWilliamBarclay(WestminsterJohnKnox)A.Theological.Word.Book.of.the.Bible,.editedbyAlanrichardson(Macmillan)A.Theological.Word.Book.of.the.Old.Testament,.editedbyLairdHarrisetal.(MoodyPress)Vincent’s.Word.Studies.in.the.New.Testament.byMarvinr.Vincent(Hendrickson)

WORD sTUDY fORM

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1. engliSh wOrD repent(noun—repentance)

2. engliSh DeFinitiOn

“Tofeelsuchremorseorregretforpastconductastochangeone’smindregardingit.”

3. cOMpariSOn OF tranSlatiOnS Luke13:3

“repent”—NIV,NASB,KJV,Amplified,etc.“Turnfromyoursins”—Good.News.Bible“LeaveyourevilwaysandturntoGod”—Living.Bible.

4. Original wOrD anD ShOrt DeFinitiOn

• “metanoeo”(Greek)“tochangeone’smind” • “metamelomai”(Greek)“toregretorshowremorse”

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WORD sTUDY fORM

5. OccurrenceS in the BiBle

TwodifferentGreekwordsaretranslated“repent”intheNewTestament:

A.Metanoeo

“repent”(verb)34times “repentance”(noun)24times

5timesinMatthew 3timesinMatthew

2timesinMark 2timesinMark

9timesinLuke 5timesinLuke

5timesinActs 6timesinActs

1timein2Corinthians 1timeinromans

12timesinrevelation 2timesin2Corinthians

1timein2Timothy

3timesinHebrews

1timein2Peter

B.Metamelomai

“repent”(verb—6times)

3timesinMatthew

2timesin2Corinthians

1timeinHebrews

interesting insights

• ThewordisneverusedinthegospelofJohn;butitisusedinrevela-tion12times.

• TheauthorLukeuseditthemost(LukeandActs).• repentanceisnotemphasizedmuchintheEpistlesbecausetheywere

writtentobelievers.

WORD sTUDY fORM

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6. rOOt Meaning anD Origin (use reference books)

Metanoeoliterallymeans“toperceiveafterward.”ItismadeupoftwoGreekwords:meta,whichmeans“after”(implyingchange),andnoeo,whichmeans“toperceive”(nousisGreekfor“themind”).

Fromthiswegetthemeaningof“tochangeone’smindorpurpose.”IntheNewTestamentthischangeisalwaysforthebetter,anditdenotesagenuine,completechangeofheartandlife.

Notonlydoes it implya turningaway (negative) fromsin,buta turning to(positive)thatwhichisrightandgodly.Itmeansmorethanjustfeelingsorryforwrongyou’vedone.Italsomeanstocompletelychangeyourmindaboutthesinandgoadifferentway.

Metamelomaicomesfrommeta(“after”)andmelo(“tocarefor”).Itmeanstoregretorexpressremorseforsomethingyouwishyouhadn’tdone.Itmeanstohavepainfulanxiety(sorrow)overapastdeed.Thisisnotgenuinerepen-tance.Itmeanstoregretsomethingyoudidwithouteverreallychangingyourmindaboutit.(“I’msorryIgotcaught,butI’mnotsorryIdidit.”Or,“I’mnotsure Iwouldn’tdo itagain.”)Thebest illustrationof this isJudas.HewasregretfulforbetrayingJesus(metamelomai—Matthew27:3),buthenevergenuinelyrepentedofit(metanoeo ).

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WORD sTUDY fORM

7. hOw the wOrD waS uSeD

A. in Other writings:

Metanoeo was not used much in classical Greek literature. When thewordwasused,itdidnotmeantheradicalchangeofaman’slifeasawholeasitdoesintheNewTestament.

B. throughout the Bible:

• repentance(nâham)intheOldTestamentisseenmostclearlyinEze-kiel18and33:10–20.

• “repent” was the basic message of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2),Jesus (Matt.4:17), the12disciples (Mark6:12),PeteratPentecost(Acts2:38).

• ItiscommandedbyGodforeveryone(Acts17:30;2Peter3:9). • Itispartofsavingfaith(Luke13:5;Acts3:19). • Itproducesjoyinheaven(Luke15:7,10). • Itisprovenbyouractions(Acts26:20). • Jesus used the word 17 times in the Gospels and 8 times in

revelation. • Whatcausesustorepent?

—God’sgoodnesstous(rom.2:4)—Godlysorrowforoursin(2Cor.7:9–10)—God’sgrace(2Tim.2:25)

• ItisafoundationaltruthoftheChristianlife(Heb.6:1).

C. in the Context of the passage: 2 Corinthians 7:9 – 10

Thisverseshowsthedifferencebetweengenuinerepentance(metanoeo )andmereregret(metamelomai ).realgodlysorrowbringsaboutgenuinerepentance.Thisbringsaboutachangeoflife,notjustregret.

WORD sTUDY fORM

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8. applicatiOn

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance, andpatience,not realizing thatGod’skindness leadsyou towardrepentance?”(romans2:4)

Sin to confess/attitude to change

IhaveheldapersonalgrudgeinmyheartagainstJohneversincetheincidentinthemountainslastfall.Ithasputastrainonourrelationship.TheLordhasconvictedmeaboutthisinthepast,butIhaveputoffmakingrestitution.IknowIhavesinned.Iwanttorepentofthissinnow.TomorrowafternoonIwillgotoJohnandaskhisforgiveness.Iwanttostraightenthismatterout.

reSOurce BOOkS uSeD

Vine’s.Expository.Dictionary.of.New.Testament.WordsYoung’s.Analytical.Concordance.of.the.Bible.Dictionary.of.New.Testament.Theology,.Vol ..1

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WORD sTUDY fORM

1. engliSh wOrD

2. engliSh DeFinitiOn

3. cOMpariSOn OF tranSlatiOnS

4. Original wOrD anD ShOrt DeFinitiOn

WORD sTUDY fORM

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5. OccurrenceS in the BiBle

148

WORD sTUDY fORM

6. rOOt Meaning anD Origin (use reference books)

WORD sTUDY fORM

14�

7. hOw the wOrD waS uSeD

A. in Other writings:

B. throughout the Bible:

C. in the Context of the passage:

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WORD sTUDY fORM

8. applicatiOn

reSOurce BOOkS uSeD

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It ismucheasiertounderstandandappreciateaplay ifall thepropsandback-groundscenesareinplace.Theactorsonthestageperformagainstthebackdropofthepropsandpaintedscenery.ItisthesamewaywithScripture.God’srevela-tionwasgiveninthemidstofhistory,andthedramatis.personaeoftheBibleactouttheirGod-givenrolesagainstthebackgroundoftheirtimes.WeunderstandtheWordofGodmoreclearlywhenweseeitagainstthebackdropofthedaysinwhichitwaswritten.

Definition

TheBookBackgroundMethodofBibleStudyinvolvesgainingabetterunderstand-ingofthebiblicalmessagebyresearchingthebackgroundrelatedtothepassage,person,event,ortopicbeingstudied.Thisinvolvesunderstandingthegeography,historicalevents,culture,andpoliticalenvironmentatthetimeaparticularpartoftheBiblewaswritten.

8THe BOOk

BackgROUnD MeTHOD Of

BiBLe sTUDY

How to Research Biblical Backgrounds

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Why stuDy BackgrounDs?

Inordertogetthefullimpactofwhatabiblicalwriterissaying,itisnecessaryto“transport”ourselvesbackintothetimeinwhichhelived.SincewearecenturiesremovedfromBibletimes,wemusttrytoseetheirworldthroughtheireyes,feelwhattheyfelt,andthenunderstandhowtheHolySpiritofGodusedthemtowritewhattheydid.

OneoftheprimaryrulesofinterpretationstatesthatsincetheBiblewaswritteninthemidstofhistory,itcanonlybeunderstoodmorefullyinlightofthathistory.YoucannotinterprettheBiblecorrectlyifyouignoretheinfluenceofthetimesinwhichitwaswritten.SeriousBiblestudentswillalwayswanttoknowthegeographical,his-torical,cultural,andpoliticalbackgroundsofthepassageorbooktheyarestudying.

Furthermore,beforewecanunderstandthewaywearetoapplythemessagetoustoday,wemustfirstbesurehowitwasappliedduringthetimesitwasfirstwritten. Ifwetry to interpretandapplyScriptureaccordingtoourownageandculture,wewillquicklyrunintomanydifficulties.Oftenastatement,word,custom,oreventinanothercultureortimewillbeunderstoodinasensetotallydifferentfromthemeaningweattachtoittodayinourcountry.

Becauseofthetremendousarchaeologicaldiscoveriesinthepastcentury,wenowhaveamuchbetterunderstandingoftheculturesandhistoricalbackgroundsofbiblicaltimes.Mostofthisinformationisavailablethroughexcellentresearchtools.YouwilldefinitelyhavetoconsultthesewhenyoudothismethodofBiblestudy.

the value of archaeology

Tomanypeoplearchaeologyisadry,boring,andlittle-knownscience.Butthankstothepatientworkofmanyskilledarchaeologistsofmanynations,weknowmuchmoretodayaboutBibletimesthanChristiansdidevenhalfacenturyago.National.GeographicandotherpopularmagazineshavepublicizedsuchfindingsastheEblatablets,whichthrowtremendouslightontheNearEastof2000to2500B.C.WecanunderstandtheBibletodayasneverbefore,asarcheologyhasbeenagreatenlightenerandfriendtotheseriousBiblestudent.

The.Book.Background.Method.of.Bible.Study

153

GusW.VanBeekhaswritten,

No one canunderstand theBiblewithout a knowledge of biblical his-toryandculture,andnoonecanclaimaknowledgeofbiblicalhistoryandculturewithoutanunderstandingof thecontributionsofarchaeol-ogy.Biblicaleventshavebeenillustrated,obscurewordsdefined,ideasexplained,andchronologyrefinedbyarchaeologicalfinds.Tosaythatourknowledgeof theBiblehasbeenrevolutionizedbythesediscoveries isalmosttounderstatethefacts(“Archaeology,”Interpreter’s.Dictionary.of.the.Bible[AbingdonPress,1962],1:203).

tools you Will neeD

ThismethodofBiblestudyistotallydependentontools,soyouwillhavetoobtainsomeoftheseorborrowthemfromyourpublicorchurchlibrary.Don’tbeafraidof

Step One — Choose the Subject or Book of the Bible

Step twO — List Your Reference Tools

Step three — Obtain Insights from Geography

Step FOur — Get Insights from History

Step Five — Discover Some Insights from Culture

Step Six — Research Insights from the Political Environment

Step Seven — Summarize Your Research

Step eight — Write Out a Personal Application

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them.Instead,takeadvantageoftheinformationthatscholarshavespenttheirlivesfindingoutforyou.Thefollowingtoolswillprovidehelpfulbackgroundmaterial:

• ABibledictionaryand/orBibleencyclopedia• ABiblehandbook• ABibleatlas

Inaddition,youmaywanttoconsultsomeofthefollowingreferencebooksthatdealwithgeography,history,culture,andeverydaylifeofBibletimes.

• Archaeology. and. Bible. History by Joseph Free and Howard Vos(Zondervan)

• The.Bible.and.ArchaeologybyJ.A.Thompson(Eerdmans)• Everyday.Life.in.Bible.Times(NationalGeographicSociety)• Great. People. of. the. Bible. and. How. They. Lived (reader’s Digest

Association)• Harper’s.Encyclopedia.of.Bible.LifebyMadeleineS.andJ.LaneMiller

(BooksSales)• The.Oxford.History.of.the.Biblical.WorldbyMichaelCoogan(OxfordUni-

versityPress)• The. Wycliffe. Historical. Geography. of. Bible. Lands by Howard Vos

(Hendrickson)

Thisisonlyarepresentativelist,formanyotherreferenceworksareavailabletoday. Visit your local public library, your church library, or your local Christianbookstoreandlookoverwhattheyhave.Choosetheonesthatappealtoyouthemost.Archaeologistsareconstantlyupdatingtheirfindingsthroughnewdiscover-ies,sobesuretoobtainthelatesteditionofeachreferencetool.

simPle stePs on Doing a BackgrounD stuDy

TheBookBackgroundStudyFormhaseightstepsplussomeblankspaceforlist-ingthereferencetoolsyouuse.Useadditionalsheetsofpaperifyoudonothaveroomontheform.


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Step One Choose the Subject or Book of the Bible

Choosethesubject,person,word,orbookoftheBibleyouwanttostudy,andbegingatheringreferencematerialsforyourresearch.Theavailabilityofreferencetoolswilllargelydeterminethescopeofyourstudy.

Step twO List Your Reference Tools

Listallthereferencetoolsyouhavegatheredtodothisstudy(seeToolsYouWillNeedabove).Thisistohelpyourememberwhichbooksweremostusefulforthebackgroundmaterialyouresearchedandwhatbooksyoumaywanttorefertoinfuturebackgroundstudies.

Step three Obtain Insights from Geography

YouwillneedtobecomefamiliarwiththegeographyofPalestineandtheNearEastingeneral.Thisincludesthetypesoflandfoundthere,themajormountainsandhills,elevationandrainfall,themajorbodiesofwater(seas,lakes,rivers),locationofcitiesandcountries,famouslandmarks,andthebordersofsurroundingcoun-triesofthetimeyouarestudying.

AsyoustudytheNewTestament,particularlyPaul’smissionary travels,youwillneedtobecomeacquaintedwiththeMediterraneancountriesandcitiesthatwereactiveduringthedaysoftheromanEmpire.

Inallofyourstudyofbiblicalgeography,youmustcontinuallyaskthisques-tion:“WhatistheeffectofthesurroundinggeographyonwhatIamstudying?”

Inthisstep, listall the insightsyoucangetongeographyfor thesubjectorbookyouarestudying.

Step FOur Get Insights from History

Youshouldhaveaworkingknowledgeofthechronology(orderofhistoricalevents)of thenationof Israel in theOldTestament.Learn theperiodsofhistoryof theHebrewnation;findouttheoriginandhistoryoffamouscities;learnthedivisionsof Jesus’ministry; bewell versed on thehistory surroundingPaul’smissionarytravels.Itisalsohelpfultoknowwhatmajoreventsweregoingoninotherpartsof

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theworldduringthetimeyouarestudying,inordertohaveaproperperspectiveonwhatGodwasdoingintheworld.

Youmightaskyourself,“WhatcausedthisparticulareventthatIamstudying?Howdiditaffectthepeopleinvolved?HowdiditaffectthepassageIamstudy-ing?”BeespeciallyawareofeventsthatillustrateGod’ssovereigncontrolovertheprogressofhistory.

Inthisstep,listalltheinsightsyoucangetonhistorysurroundingthesubjectorbookyouarestudying.

Step Five Discover Some Insights from Culture

IfyouaretounderstandwhatwentoninBibletimes,youneedtolearnaboutthetotallifestyleoftheancientpeopleintheScriptures.Herearesomeareasyoucanresearchwhileaskingyourself,“HowdoallthesethingsaffectthemessageandthepeopleaboutwhomIamstudying?”

• Typesofclothingpeoplewore• Professionsandtradesinbiblicaltimes• MusicintheBible• ArchitecturalstylesintheNearEast• MannersandcustomsinScripture• recreationinancienttimes• FamilylifeintheMiddleEast• ArtintheBible• Languagesandliteratureofsurroundingnations• religiousceremoniesinIsraelandamongpaganneighbors• Falsereligionsofthearea• Weaponsandtoolsusedbythepeople

Inthisstep,listalltheinsightsyouderivefromthewaypeoplelivedintheircultures.

Step Six Research Insights from the Political Environment

MuchofwhathappenedinIsraelintheOldTestamentandintheromanworldofJesus,Paul,andtheapostlesisrelatedtothepoliticalenvironmentofthetimes.


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Kings,emperors,rulers,andotherpowersgovernedthepeopleofthetime.Israel,forexample,spentmuchofitshistoryunderforeignruleandeveninexile.TheseothernationsandpoliticalsystemswereboundtohaveaneffectonthewayGod’speoplelived.recognize,however,thatGodisalwaysincontrolofthepoliticalsitu-ation.EvenKingNebuchadnezzaracknowledgedthisfact(Dan.4:34–35).

Egypt,Philistia,Assyria,Babylon,Persia,Greece,andromeallplayedamajorpartintheBible.Whatwerethesenationslike?HowdidtheyaffectIsraelortheNewTestamentchurch?Manyoftheprophets’messagescanonlybeunderstoodinlightoftheircurrentpoliticalclimate.

Inthisstep,writedownall the insightsyoucanfromyourresearchintothepoliticalconditionsofthetimeperiodyouarestudying.

Step Seven Summarize Your Research

NowgobackoverStepThreethroughStepSix,andfromthedatayouhavegath-ered,summarizeyourresearchbyansweringthesetwoquestions:

• HowdoesthisbackgroundinformationhelpmeunderstandbetterwhatIamstudying?

• Whatinfluencedidanyofthesefactorshaveonthesubject(orbook)thatIamstudying?

Step eight Write Out a Personal Application

Althoughapersonalapplicationmaybehardtocomebyinthistypeofstudy,youshouldbeabletogetonefromyouroriginalsubject.Infact,researchintotheback-groundofyoursubjectmayenableyoutofindanapplicationyoumayneedtoday,andthedatacanhelpyoumakethatapplicationpersonallyrelevant.

HOWTOFILLINTHEBOOKBACKGrOUNDSTUDYFOrM

Theformattheendofthischaptershouldhelpyouinthisstudy,oryoumaymarkyourownpaperwiththedivisionssuggestedontheform.

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Followthestepsjustoutlinedandwriteintheinsightsgleanedfromyourresearch.ThensummarizetheinsightsinStepSeven.Ifyouneedmoreroom,usethebackoftheformorothersheetsofpaper.


SeetheexampleonEphesusattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

SomesubjectstoconsiderasyoubeginusingtheBookBackgroundStudyMethodare

• ThebookofPhilippians• ThebookofHaggai• ThebookofColossians• Thebookofruth• PhariseesandSadducees• Templeworship• TheromansinPalestine

For Further Reading

Thebookslistedunder“ToolsYouWillNeed”areexcellentforgettingstartedonthismethod.Forsomemethodologyor“how-to”hints,youmayread“TheHistori-calMethod”inMerrillC.Tenney’sGalatians:.The.Charter.of.Christian.Liberty(Eerd-mans),pages97–109.Herearesomeadditionalresources:

The.Bible.Knowledge.Background.Commentary,.editedbyCraigEvans,3vols.(Victor)Chronological. and. Background. Charts. of. the. New. Testament. by H. Wayne House

(Zondervan)Chronological.and.Background.Charts.of.the.Old.Testament.byJohnWalton(Zondervan)The. IVP. Bible. Background. Commentary:. New. Testament. by Craig Keener (InterVarsity

Press)The.IVP.Bible.Background.Commentary:.Old.Testament.byJohnWaltonetal.(InterVarsity

Press)


15�

Manners.and.Customs.in.the.Bible.byVictorH.Matthews(Hendrickson)The.Zondervan.Illustrated.Bible.Background.Commentary:.New.Testament,editedbyClin-

tonArnold,4vols.(Zondervan)The.Zondervan.Illustrated.Bible.Background.Commentary:.Old.Testament,.editedbyJohn

Walton,4vols.(Zondervan)

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BackgROUnD sTUDY fORM1. SuBject Ephesus(BookofEphesians)

2. reFerence tOOlS uSeD

Eerdmans.Handbook.to.the.BibleThe.New.Bible.DictionaryThe.Zondervan.Pictorial.Encyclopedia.of.the.Bible.

3. geOgraphical BackgrOunD

Thecitywassituatedon thewesterncoastofAsiaMinorat themouthoftheCaysterriver,oneofthefourmajoreast-westvalleysthatendedintheAegeanSea.ItwasatthebeginningofamajorhighwaythatwenteastwardacrossAsiaMinorintoSyria,thenintoMesopotamia,Persia,andIndia.

Ephesuswasalargeportcityandhadapopulationofaround400,000intheapostlePaul’stime.ItwasthemostimportantcityintheromanprovinceofAsia.Itsstrategiclocationcausedittobethemeetingplaceofthelandandseatraderoutesinthatpartoftheworldinthosedays.

BackgROUnD sTUDY fORM

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4. hiStOrical BackgrOunD

Ephesuswasanancientcitywhoseoriginsarelostinthemistsofantiquity.ItwasknownasanimportantportcityinthedaysoftheancientHittites(early1300sB.C.).

Around1080B.C.itwastakenandcolonizedbytheGreeksfromacrosstheAegeanSea,andGreekwaysandinfluenceswereintroduced.FivecenturieslateritwastakenbythelegendaryKingCroesus,whorestoredAsianinfluencetothecity.

ThePersianstookEphesusin557B.C.,andtwocenturiesofconflictwiththeGreeksoveritfollowed.AlexandertheGreatcapturedthecityin335B.C.,andtheGreekinfluenceprevaileduntilromantimes.

Theromanstookthecityin190B.C.,anditremainedintheirhandsortheirallies’ hands until after the days of Paul. It became the major city in theromanprovinceofAsia,althoughPergamumremainedthecapital.

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BackgROUnD sTUDY fORM5. cultural BackgrOunD

FromthetimetheGreekstookthecityin1080B.C.,culturalconflictexistedbetweentheAsianandGreekwaysoflife.Theoriginalreligionincludedtheworshipofthemother-goddesswhomtheGreekslatercalledArtemis(Dianaintheromansystem).Heretheoriginalgoddesshadashrine,andtheGreekslaterbuiltagrandtemplethatbecameknownthroughoutthewholeMediter-raneanworld.

BeingatthecrossroadsofEuropeandtheFarEast,thecityhadaninterna-tionalflavoraspeopleofmanybackgrounds,particularlytradersandsailors,mixedherefreely.Thusitwasacosmopolitancity,primarilyGreekinculturebutwithAsianunderpinningsexistingthereatthesametime.Ithadalltheconveniencesofamodernromancity—gymnasium,stadium,theaters,andacentralmarketplace.

6. pOlitical BackgrOunD

InPaul’sday,sinceitwasacityloyaltorome,itwasgovernedbytheromanproconsulfromPergamum.Itwasallowedtohaveitsowngovernmentandwasdividedinto“tribes”accordingtotheethniccompositionofitspopulation.InPaul’stimethereweresixtribes,andtherepresentativestotheirgatheringelectedthe“townclerk,”whowasresponsibleforallpublicmeetings.

OthergovernmentofficialsincludedtheAsiarchs,municipalofficersofrome,andtheNeokoros,thetempleofficials.


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7. SuMMary OF inSightS

ThecityofEphesuswasanimportantcity,andbecauseofitsstrategicvalue,Paulandhisteamheadedthereontheirsecondmissionaryjourney.Paullaterministeredthereforsometimeonhisthirdjourney.

Becauseofitscosmopolitanpopulation,herewasanopportunityforministrytomanydifferentkindsofpeoples—romans,Greeks,andtheAsiansofthatpartofAsia.Also,aministrycouldbehadwiththetravelersandtraders,whocamebothbylandandbysea.

Ephesus’historyandgeographymadethecitystrategic for theplantingofchurchesandthenspreadingthenewsofthegospelthroughoutthewholeterritoryarounditaswellastomanyotherplacesthroughthecaravansandshipping.

8. perSOnal applicatiOn

Inadayofpopulationexplosion it ismyresponsibility towitness toJesusChristinthestrategicplacesoftheworld.ThismeansthatinmytownIneedtofindoutwherethestrategiccentersofpeoplegatheringare.ThenIshouldplantogothere,bothbymyselfandwithmychurch,totestifytothegraceofGodandhissalvation.IwilltalkwithSamandJoeaboutthis,andwewilllayplanstogetherforevangelizingourcommunity.

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BackgROUnD sTUDY fORM1. SuBject

2. reFerence tOOlS uSeD

3. geOgraphical BackgrOunD


165

4. hiStOrical BackgrOunD

166

BackgROUnD sTUDY fORM5. cultural BackgrOunD

6. pOlitical BackgrOunD


167

7. SuMMary OF inSightS


16�

Martin Luther, who began the great reformation in the 16th century, not onlyrestoredtheBibletothecommonpeople,butalsogavesomepracticalsuggestionsforBiblestudy.HeoncesaidthathestudiedtheScripturesthewayhegatheredapples:“First IshakethewholeAppletree[studyoftheBibleasawhole],thattheripestmightfall.ThenIclimbthetreeandshakeeachlimb[studyofawholebook],andtheneachbranch[studyofachapterofabook]andtheneachtwig[studyoftheparagraphsandsentences],andthenIlookundereachleaf[studyofsinglewords].”

The next three chapters go together because the three methods discussedarereallypartofone.TheyarethreestepsinstudyingabookoftheBible.Whencombined, these three methods give you the most comprehensive approach tostudyingtheWordofGod.Theymayrequireextrawork,effort,andtime,buttheycanrewardyouwiththegreatestresults.

BecauseGodgavehisrevelationinsegmentsthatwecallbooks,weshouldfirststudythesebooksasawhole,thenexaminetheirpartscarefully,andfinallyputourstudytogethertoseethewholeagain.Sotheapproachwewillbeusingissurvey,.analysis,andsynthesis .

9THe BOOk sURveY


How to Get an Overview of a Bible Book

170


First,wemakeaninitialsurveyofthebooktoseeitasawhole;this isour“telescopicview”study.Thenwetakethebookapartchapterbychapteranddoadetailedanalysisofeachone;welookatallthedetailsasthroughamicroscope.Finally,weputitalltogetheragaininasyntheticstudyinwhichwesummarizethebookasawholeandproduceour.ownoutline.Theprocessmovesfromthewholetotheparticularsandbacktothewhole:

• Survey—getabird’s-eyeviewofthebook.• Analysis—studyeverythingineachchapterindetail.•. Synthesis.—.putitbacktogetheragainanddrawsomeconclusions.

Note:ThesethreemethodshavebeendevelopedeffectivelybytheNavigatorsintheircollegiateministry.ThethreestepshavebeencombinedbythemintotheComprehensiveBookAnalysisMethod,whichisexplainedandillustratedindepthinThe.Navigator.Bible.Studies.Handbook(NavPress).

Chapters9–11inthisbookpresentonlywhattheComprehensiveBookAnal-ysisdoesnotdealwithandwill suggest somealternativeapproaches from thebookpublishedbytheNavigators. (Theirs ishighlyrecommendedforthosewho

Step One — Read the Book

Step twO — Make Notes on What You Read

Step three — Do a Background Study

Step FOur — Make a Horizontal Chart of the Book’s Contents

Step Five — Make a Tentative Outline of the Book

Step Six — Write Out a Personal Application

The.Book.Survey.Method.of.Bible.Study

171

havedoneextensivechapteranalysisBiblestudyandwouldlikeaslightlydifferentapproach.)

Welookfirstatpartoneofthisprocess:theBookSurveyMethod.

Definition

AbooksurveystudyinvolvesgainingasweepingoverviewofanentirebookoftheBible.Itistakinga“skyscraperlook”ora“telescopicview”ofabookbyreadingit through several timeswithout stopping to consider thedetails. Then youaskaseriesofbackgroundandcontentquestionsanddrawahorizontalchartof itscontentsinordertogainageneralunderstandingofthewriter’spurpose,theme,structure,andcontent.


As you know, the Bible is really 66 different books compiled under one cover.Eachbookisuniqueandhasanimportantmessageforustoday.TheBookSurveyMethodisapracticalwaytomasterthegeneralcontentsofasinglebook.

its imPortance

Doingabooksurveyasthefirstpartofananalysisandsynthesishelpsrevealhoweachpartofthebookisrelatedtotheotherparts.Manyversesthatarehardtounderstandbecomeclearwhenseeninthelargercontextofthebookinwhichtheyarefound.AndtheplaceofaverseinabookisoftenthekeytounderstandingitandwhatGodteachesthroughit.

Doingabooksurvey firstalso reveals theproperemphasisofeachpoint inthebook.ItkeepsthestudyofGod’sWordbalanced,lesseningthepossibilityofoveremphasizingorminimizinganyonepoint.ItisinterestingthatmostcultsandheresieshavearisenthroughouthistorywhenpeopleoveremphasizesomeverseordoctrineandbuildtheirwholetheologyonafewversestakenoutofcontextwhileignoringmuchoftherestofGod’srevelation.

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tools you Will neeD

A number of basic tools (discussed in the Introduction) are necessary for thismethodofBiblestudy.Thesehelpfultoolsare

• AstudyBible.•. Several contemporary translations. (These enable you to see different

renderingsofthesamematerialbyablescholars.)•. ABibledictionaryand/orBibleencyclopedia.•. ABiblehandbook.(Lookunderthenameofthebookyouarestudyingas

wellasunderthewriterandthecityorpeopletowhomtheoriginalmighthavebeensent.)

Inadditiontotheabovebasictools,youmaywanttoconsultBibleatlases,his-toricalgeographies,historicalbackgroundbooks,andBiblesurveys.Usetheselasttoolsonlyafteryouhavedoneyourownresearch.Lateryoumaycheckyourselfandyourconclusionsagainstwhatother reliablescholarshavedone.Therearemanysurveysandbackgroundbookstochoosefrom:

• The.Illustrated.Guide.to.Biblical.History.byKendallEasley(Broadman&Holman)

• Nelson’s. New. Testament. Survey by Mark Bailey and Tom Constable(Nelson)

• Nelson’s. Old. Testament. Survey by Charles Dyer and Eugene Merrill(Nelson)

• New.Testament.SurveybyMerrillC.Tenney(Eerdmans)• New.Testament.TimesbyMerrillC.Tenney(Baker)• The.Old.Testament.SpeaksbySamuelJ.Schultz(HarperSanFrancisco)• Old.Testament.Timesbyr.K.Harrison(Baker)• Old.Testament.Today.byJohnWaltonandAndrewHill(Zondervan)• Survey.of.the.BiblebyWilliamHendriksen(Baker)• A.Survey.of.the.New.Testament.byrobertH.Gundry(Zondervan)• What.the.Bible.Is.All.About:.NIV.EditionbyHenriettaC.Mears(regal)


173

YoumustrecognizethattheseBiblesurveys,likeBiblecommentaries,repre-senttheopinionsandtheologicalpositionsoftheirauthors.Soselecttheoneortwothatbestsuityou,andusethemafteryouhavedoneyourowninitialsurveystudy.

simPle stePs on Doing a survey stuDy

TheBookSurveyStudyFormhasmanyparts,which fitunder thesixsteps fordoingthisstudy.Onestepwillbedoneonaseparatesheetofpaper.

Step One Read the Book

This firststepmayseemobvious,butsomepeoplespendall their timereadingabouttheBibleratherthanreadingtheScripturetextitself.TheonlytoolsneededforthisfirststepareyourstudyBibleandseveralrecenttranslations.Do.not.read.any.Bible.surveys,.handbooks,.or.commentaries.at.this.point .Followthesesevensuggestions:

1.Read.through.the.book.atone.sitting .ExceptforthePsalms,thelongestbookintheBibleisIsaiah,anditcanbereadinthreeorfourhours.Mostoftheotherbooks,particularlythoseintheNewTestament,canbereadinmuchlesstime.Ifyouhavetobreakupyourreading,trytofinishabookinnomorethantwosittings.(Forexample, read Isaiah1–39atonesitting, then Isaiah40–66.)YouwillbeamazedatwhatyoubegintoseeinScriptureasyoudothis.

2.Read.through.the.book.in.a.recent.translation .Thiswillenableyoutounder-standwhatyouarereadingbetter,becauseyouwillbedoingyourreadingincon-temporarylanguage.

3.Read. through. the.book. rapidly,. ignoring. the.chapter.divisions .rememberthat thechapterdivisionsandverseswerenot in theoriginalwriting; theywereaddedmuchlaterforconvenience.rightnowyourpurposeistogettheflowofthebookandfeelthepulseofthewriter.Don’tbeconcernedwiththedetailsatthisstage(youwilldothatintheChapterAnalysisMethod,chapter10),butreadthebookquicklytogetitsmainthrust.

174


4.Read.through.the.book.repeatedly .repeattheprocessofreadingasmanytimesasyoucan. (Obviously,youwillnotbeable toreadthebookof IsaiahasmanytimesasthebookofColossiansinagiventimeframe.)Eachtimeyoureadthe book through, you will notice some new things and the overall picture willbecomeclearerandclearer.Themoretimesyoureadabookthrough,thebetteryouwillbeabletounderstandit.Sostaywithit.

5.Read.through.the.book.without.referring.to.commentaries.or.someone.else’s.notes .ItisgoodtoreadinaBibleinwhichyouhavenotmadeanynotesyourself.Otherwise,whenyouseethenotesyoumayhavewritten(yourownorothers’),yourmindwillnaturallyfallbackintothatpatternandyouwillbehinderedfromseeingnewthings.AfteryouhavefinishedStepOne,youmaybeginconsultingwithreferencehelps.

6.Read.through.the.book.prayerfully .AskGodtospeaktoyourheartandopenyoureyesthatyoumayseewonderfulthingsinhislaw(Ps.119:18).

7.Read.through.the.book.with.pen.or.pencil.in.hand .Asyoubeginreadingthesecondorthirdtimethrough,begintakingnotesandmakingobservationsonwhatyouarereading(seeStepTwoandtheBookSurveyForm).

Step twO Make Notes on What You Read

Asyoureadthroughthebook(seeStepOne),writedownyourimpressionsandtheimportantfactsyoudiscover.MakethesenotesonaseparatepieceofpaperorontheBookSurveyFormfoundattheendofthischapter.Lookforthefollowingnineitems:

1. Category:Isthebookhistory?Poetry?Prophecy?Law?Abiography?Aletter?

2. First.Impressions:Whatisthefirstimpressionyougetfromthebook?Whatdoyouthinkisthepurposeofthewriter?What“feel”doyougetfromreadingit?

3. Key.Words:Whataresomeof thesignificantwords thewriteruses?What words are repeated the most? What word or words is heemphasizing?


175

4. Key. Verse: What seems to be the key verse (if any)? What ideas orphrasesare repeated thatmay showhismain thought?What is thewriter’skeystatement?

5. Literary.Style:Isthebookanarrative?Adrama?Apersonalletter?Adiscourse?Poetry?Acombinationofnarrationandpoetry?Does thewriterusefigurativespeech?Isheusingalogicalargument?

6. Emotional.Tone: Isthewriterangry?Sad?Happy?Worried?Excited?Depressed?Calm?Howdoyouthinkhishearersmusthavefeltwhentheyreceivedthiswriting?Howdoesitmakeyoufeel?

7. Main.Theme(s):Whatisthemaintheme?Istheremorethanone?Whatisthewritersaying?Whatishismajoremphasis?

8. Structure. of. the. Book: Are there obvious divisions of thought in thebook?How is the book organized? Aroundpeople? Events?Places?Ideas?Timespans?

9. Major.People:Whoaretheprincipalpersonalitiesinthebook?Whichpeople are mentioned the most, and what parts do they play in thebook?

Step three Do a Background Study

Findoutthehistoricalandgeographicalsettingofthebook.Intowhatbackgrounddoesthebookfit?Youcanusethefollowingquestionstohelpyoufindsomeofthefacts.AlsousetheideaspresentedintheBookBackgroundMethodofBibleStudy(chapter8).Manyoftheanswersmaybefoundrightinthebookitself,solooktherefirst.Ifyoucan’tfindtheanswersinthetextalone,thencheckoutsidereferences(seeToolsYouWillNeedearlierinthischapter).

• WhatcanIlearnaboutthewriter(s)?•. Whenwasthebookwritten?(Date)•. Wherewasthebookwritten?•. Towhomwasthebookwritten?Whowerethey?Whowashe?Whowas

she?(Findoutabouttheirhistoricalandgeographicalbackgrounds.)

176


•. Whywasthebookwritten?(Investigatethecircumstancesrelatedtothewriting.)

•. Whatotherbackgroundinformationshedslightonthisbook?•. WhatistheplaceofthisbookintheBible?Isitabridgebetweenvarious

periodsofhistory?•. What are thegeographic locationsmentioned in thebook?Whereare

they?(Drawamapifitwillbehelpfultoyou.)

Step FOur Make a Horizontal Chart of the Book’s Contents

Oneoftheexcitingstepsindoingabooksurveyismakingahorizontalchart.Thisisadiagramedlayoutofabook’scontentsononeortwosheetsofpaper.Thevalueofsuchachart isthatitenablesyoutolayoutvisuallythebook’scontentsanddivisions.Itgivesyouanewperspectiveofthebook.Thethreepartstoasimplehorizontalchartarethemajor.divisionsofthebook,chapter.titles,andparagraph.titles .

Why.make.a.horizontal.chart?Yougainseveralbenefitsinthisstudybymakingone.

•. Ithelpsyousummarizethemainideasandcontentsofabook.•. Itenablesyoutoseethecontentsofanentirebookataglance.•. It helps youdiscover the relationshipsbetweenchaptersandbetween

paragraphs.•. Itmakesyouawareofideasrepeatedinseveralplacesinthebook.•. It serves as a memory device to help you recall a chapter’s content

quickly.•. Itenablesyoutothinkthroughabookandrememberit.

Preparation.for.making.a.horizontal.chart .Youneedthreetoolstomakeasim-plehorizontalchart:

•. ABiblewithparagraphdivisions.Manyrecentversionshavedividedthetextintoparagraphstoenableyoutoseetheunitsofthought.Youhavetoknowtheseinordertomakethechart.


177

•. Apencil(orpen)andaruler.•. Ablanksheetofpaper,preferably8½x11insize.Trytofityourchart

ononesheetofpapersoyoucanseetheentirestructureofthebookataglance.Whenyouareworkingona longbook (e.g., Isaiah,Genesis,Psalms), try touseasfewsheetsaspossible. Inusingmorethanonesheet,besuretousethesamescalesoyoucanmatchthesheets.

How.to.make.a.horizontal.chart .Gothroughthefollowingfourstepsforeachchartyoumake.

1.Onablank sheet ofpaper,makeasmanyvertical columnsas therearechaptersinthebook.Forlongerbooks,makethecolumnsnarrowerandabbreviatewhatyouwriteinthemandusetwoorthreesheetsofpaperasneeded.

2.readthroughthebookagainandfinditsmajor.divisions.recordthesedivi-sionsinasfewwordsaspossibleatthetopofyourchart(seetheSampleFilled-outForm).

3.readthroughthebookagainandthinkofatitle.for.each.chapter(orgroupofchaptersinalongerbook).recordtheseatthetopofeachcolumndirectlybelowthemajordivisions.IrvingJensenhassuggestedfivecharacteristicsofgoodchap-tertitles(Independent.Bible.Study,MoodyPress,p.108).

•. Preferablyuseoneword,notmorethanfour.•. Usepicturesquewordsthathelpyouvisualizethecontents.•. Usewordstakendirectlyfromthetextifpossible.•. Usewordsthathavenotbeenusedpreviouslyaschaptertitlesinyour

studyofotherbooks.•. Usewordsthattellyouwhereyouareinthebook.

4.readthroughthebookoncemoreanddothesamethingtoallthepara-graphs inyourbook.Try to relate theparagraph. titles to thechapter titleunderwhichtheyfall.

Asyoubecomeproficientinthisexercise,youmayaddthingstoyourchartsthatpersonalizeyourstudy.

178


Step Five Make a Tentative Outline of the Book

Afteryouhavesummarizedthecontentsofthebookonahorizontalchart,youarereadytomakeasimpletentativeoutlineofthebook.Lateron,intheBookSynthesisMethodofBibleStudy (chap.11), youwillmakeyour final,detailedoutlineof thebook. In thecurrentmethodyoushouldmerelyoutline thehighpointsofthebookandshowtheirrelationshipwithoneanother.Herearesomesuggestions:

1.refertoyourhorizontalchartforideasinoutlining.Oftenyourchartwillreadilyshowthenaturalorganizationofthebook’scontents.

2.Outlinefromthemajortotheminor.Lookformajordivisionsofthebookfirst,thenthesubdivisions(whichcouldbethechaptersthemselves),andfinallytheimportantpointsthatfallunderthesubdivisions(whichcouldbethepara-graphs).Inlongerbooksyoumayneedtohavefurthersubpointsunderthese.

3.Watchyourparagraphdivisionsforcluesinoutlining.Sincetheparagraphis thebasicunitof thought inwriting,youcanuse theparagraphdivisionsasaguideindesigningtheoutlineofthechapter.Writeasummarystatementforeachparagraph,thenusethosestatementsasthemajorpointsofyouroutline.

4.Afteryouhavedoneyourownoutlining,compareyourswithasmanyotheroutlinesasyoucan.Check the referencebooksavailable toyouandcompareyourworkwiththosewriters.Don’tbeconcernedifyouroutlinedoesnotmatchtheseexactly,foroftentherearemanywaystooutlineabook.Youwilldiscoverthatevennotablescholarsdisagreewitheachother.

Step Six Write Out a Personal Application

Eventhoughthemainpurposeofabooksurveyistogetyouacquaintedwithitsgeneralcontents,youshouldnot forget tomakeapersonalapplicationofsomeinsightyoudiscoveralongtheway.SelectonethingtheLordspoketoyouaboutfromyoursurveyandwriteapersonal,practical,possible,andmeasurableapplica-tiononthattruth.(Seetheinstructionsinchapter1onhowtowriteameaningfulapplication.)


17�

HOWTOFILLINTHEBOOKSUrVEYFOrM

Use the format theendof thischapterordraftdivisionsonyourownsheetofpaper.


Youwillusethisformoryourownsheetwiththedivisionsplusanothersheet(forthehorizontalchart).Writeoutthenameofthebookintheblankprovidedandthenumberofchaptersthebookcontains.Thenfollowthesixstepsdiscussedabove,withtheninesectionsunderStepTwo.

1. recordthetotalnumberoftimesyouhavereadthroughthebook. 2. Fromyourvariousreadings,fillinthesectionsonyourblankBookSurvey

Form.referbacktoStepTwo—MakeNotesonWhatYouread. 3. recordwhateverbackgroundobservationsyoubelievehelpyouunder-

standthisbook. 4. Onaseparatepieceofpaper,drawasimplehorizontalchart. 5. Inoutlineformwriteoutasummaryoroverviewofthebook. 6. Writeoutonepracticalapplication.


SeetheexampleonthebookofEphesiansattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

Begin your study of books of the Bible—Book Survey, Chapter Analysis, BookSynthesis—withsomeof theshorterepistlesof theNewTestament.Onceyouhavemasteredtheprocess,youmaywanttotryMark,theshortestgospel,oroneoftheshorterminorprophets.Hereisasuggestedorderinwhichtobegin:

• 1Thessalonians• 1John• Philippians• 2Timothy

180


• Ephesians• Mark• romans• Habakkuk

Afterdoingthese,selectyourownbookstostudy.

For Further Reading

Inaddition to the followingbooks, see thesurveysandbackgroundbookssug-gestedin“ToolsYouWillNeed”earlierinthischapter.

How.to.Read.the.Bible.Book.by.Book.byGordonFeeandDouglasStuart(Zondervan)Independent.Bible.StudybyIrvingL.Jensen(MoodyPress)A.Literary.Guide.to.the.Bible.byLelandrykenandTremperLongman(Zondervan)Studying,. Interpreting,.and.Applying.the.Bible.byWalterA.HenrichsenandGayleJackson

(Zondervan)The.Navigator.Bible.Studies.Handbook.(NavPress)

BOOk sURveY fORM

181

BOOk Ephesians chapterS 6

1. nuMBer OF tiMeS reaD 5

2. nOteS On the BOOk

• Category:.NewTestamentletter

• First impressions:. It isabookthatstrengthensmyfaithandchal-lengesmetomyresponsibilities.Stronglydoctrinal.

• Key words:.“inChrist”and“walk”

• Key verse:.1:3and4:1

• literary Style:.Ageneralletterthatispunctuatedbytwoworshipfulprayers.

• emotional tone:.Calmwiththeintentionofteachingthereadersandchallengingthemtotheirresponsibilities.

• main theme(s):.WhatwearebecauseofJesusChrist(“inChrist”)andtheresponsibilitiesthatareoursbecauseofourstanding.

• Structure:.Twomaindivisionsseparatedbya“therefore.”Inthefirstpart,twoprayersarerecorded.

• major people:.Paul,theEphesianchurch,evilforces,andTychicus

reFerence BOOkS uSeD

Eerdmans.Handbook.to.the.BibleWilliamHendriksen’sEphesiansThe.New.Bible.Dictionary

182

BOOk sURveY fORM3. BackgrOunD OF BOOk

PaulhadfoundedthechurchinEphesusonhissecondmissionary journeyandleftPriscillaandAquilatheretofollowupwiththeconverts.TheretheyhadaninfluenceonApollos’life.

AtthebeginningofhisthirdmissionPaulreturnedandministeredinthecityforalengthytime,duringwhichthegospelspreadthroughoutalloftheprov-inceofAsia.

Then,afterPaulwasimprisonedinrome,hewrotealettertothischurch.Itsoccasionwassimplyanopportunitytostrengthenthechurchbothdoctrinallyandpractically.Itwaswrittentoreinforcebelieversthereintheiropinionofthemselves(inlightoftheotherpowerfulreligiousinfluencesinthecity—e.g.,thetempleofArtemis)andincarryingouttheirresponsibilitiesasChris-tiansintheircommunity.

ManyreferencesinthebookhavepertinencetotheoriginalreadersbecausethebackgroundisthecityofEphesus,itsculture,government,andhistory.(SeetheBackgroundStudyfordetailsonthese.)

183

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184

BOOk sURveY fORM5. tentative Outline OF the BOOk

I. WhotheMembersoftheChurchAre(1–3) A.TheyhavebeenchosenbyGod(1)(endswithaprayer) B.TheyhavebeensavedbyChrist(2) C.TheyareempoweredbytheHolySpirit(3)(endsinaprayer) II.WhattheMembersoftheChurchAretoDo(4–6) A.Theirresponsibilities(4:1–5:21) B.Theirrelationshipsatthreelevels(5:22–6:9) C.Theirconflictwithsatanicpowers(6:10–20)

Concludingremarks(6:21–24)


Whatstrikesmeaboutthisbookisthecloserelationshipbetweenbelievingandacting.IfIbelieveinJesusChrist,thenIamsupposedtoactinaChristianway.BecauseofwhoIaminthesightofGod,certainactionsarerequiredofmeinallmyrelationships.

BecauseIhavebeenreconciledtoothers(chap.2), IamtobeforgivinginthesamewayChristforgaveme(4:32).Ihavenotalwaysbeenthatforgivingandhaveheldgrudgesandresentments. IwillsearchmyheartandmakesurethatIhaveforgiveneveryonewhomayhave“donemewrong”—realorimagined.Then,ifnecessary,Iwillgotothesepeopleandasktheirforgive-ness.Asacheckonmyself,IwillmemorizeEphesians4:32.

BOOk sURveY fORM

185

BOOk chapterS

1. nuMBer OF tiMeS reaD

2. nOteS On the BOOk

• Category:

• First impressions:

• Key words:

• Key verse:

• literary Style:

• emotional tone:

• main theme(s):

• Structure:

• major people:

reFerence BOOkS uSeD

186

BOOk sURveY fORM3. BackgrOunD OF BOOk

187

4. h

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188

BOOk sURveY fORM5. tentative Outline OF the BOOk


18�

ThesecondstageofstudyingabookoftheBibleistodoachapteranalysisofeachofthechaptersofthatbook.Afterthesurveystudyhasbeencompletedandyouhaveaprettygoodgraspandoverviewofthebook,beginexaminingitsindividualparts.Sincemostchapterdivisionsaresuitableanduseful,itisbesttoexaminethepartsinthisway.

Definition

Chapteranalysis involvesgaininga thoroughunderstandingof thematerialofachapterofabookbylookingcarefullyateachparagraph,sentence,andwordinanintenselydetailedandsystematicmanner.ThethreepartsofthismethodareaChapterSummary,aVerse-by-VerseAnalysis,andaChapterConclusion.Thesepartsmaybedoneonthegivenformoronblankpiecesofpaper.

Why Do a chaPter analysis?

ChapterAnalysis,whendonealongwiththeBookSurveyandBookSynthesismeth-ods,enablesustounderstandtheBibleinthewayinwhichitwaswritten—inwhole

10THe cHaPTeR

anaLYsis MeTHOD Of BiBLe sTUDY

How to Do an In-depth Study of a Chapter of a Bible Book

1�0


books.Itisalsoamethodinwhichweuselimitedoutsidehelps,thusenablingustolearntheScripturesonourown.

Note:DawsonTrotman,founderandfirstpresidentoftheNavigators,believedthatthismethodisthemajormeansofaChristian’sintakeoftheWordofGod.Hun-dredsofmenandwomenintheearlydaysoftheorganizationweretrainedtodochapteranalysisandreceivedbyitabiblicaleducationcomparabletothatavailableinBibleinstitutesandcolleges.Sincethattime,anumberofexcellentbookshavebeenpublishedthatexpandonthismethodindetail.Ifthismethodespeciallyinter-estsyou,Isuggestyouobtainsomeofthebookslistedattheendofthischapter.Theyprovideexcellentadditionalinsightsintothispopularstudymethod.

simPle stePs for Doing a chaPter analysis stuDy

Inthismethodyoubeginwithanintroduction(chaptersummary),whichisStepOne,thendoaverse-by-verseanalysis(StepsTwothroughFive),andfinishwithachapterconclusion(StepsSixandSeven).

Step One — Write Out a Chapter Summary

Step twO — List Your Observations

Step three — Ask Interpretation Questions

Step FOur — Correlate Your Chapter with Other Scriptures

Step Five — List Some Possible Applications

Step Six — Write Down Some Concluding Thoughts

Step Seven — Write Out One Application

The.Chapter.Analysis.Method.of.Bible.Study

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Step One Write Out a Chapter Summary

Youbeginthisstepbyreadingandrereadingthechaptermanytimes.Allyouaredoinghereismakinggeneralobservationsonthechapterasawhole.Afteryouhave read it throughseveral times,describe thegeneral contents inoneof thewaysabouttobedescribed.Donottrytointerpretwhatyouseeatthistime,butmerelyaimtobecomefamiliarwiththechapter.Youmaysummarizeitinoneofthefollowingways:

1..Paraphrase.it .Thesimplestwayisjusttorephrasethechapterinyourownwords.Summarizeitinsuchawaythatyoucouldreadyourparaphrasetoanotherperson.YoucanchecksomerecentparaphraseversionsoftheBibleforexamplesofthis.

2.Outline.it .Anothersimplewaytosummarizeisthroughanoutlinethatfol-lowstheparagraphdivisionsofthechapter.Giveatitletoeachparagraph,thenplacesomesubpointsundereachone.

3.Rewrite.it.without.the.modifying.clauses.and.phrases .Usejustthesubjects,verbs,andobjects inyoursummary.This isagreatwaytosummarizesomeofPaul’swritings,forexample,whererun-onsentences(especiallyintheKingJamesVersion)arehardtounderstandbecauseoftheircomplexity.

Afteryouhavecompletedyourchaptersummary,giveatitle tothechapter,usingeitheryourtitlefromthebooksurveyoranewonethatoccurredtoyoudur-ingthisstudy.

Step twO List Your Observations

This step begins the verse-by-verse analysis of the chapter. You start with theactivityofobservation.Inthisstepyouarelookingindetailateverysentenceandwordandthenwritingdowneverythingyousee.Youaretryingtoanswertheques-tion,“Whatdoesitsay?”

Beforeyoucanbegintointerpretthemeaningofaverseorpassage,youmustfirstlookatwhatitactuallysays.ThepurposeofobservationistosaturateyourselfcompletelywiththecontentsofaBiblepassage.ThemarkofgoodBiblestudentsisthattheyhavetrainedthemselvestoobservethingsinthetextthatothersoverlook.

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Overlooking. biblical. facts.—.reasons. why . There are three reasons why weoftenoverlookthingsandmisssomuchinthebiblicaltext:(1)Werushthroughapassagetooquickly.Soweneedtoslowdownandnotindulgeinspeed-reading.(2)Wedon’twritedownourobservations.LouisAgassiz,a19th-centuryprofessorofzoologyatHarvardwhotaughthisstudentstheartofobservation,usedtosay,“Apencilisthebesteye.”Weneedtowritedownwhatwesee,andthenwewillbeginseeingmore.(3)Wegiveuptoosoon.Thelongerwesqueezealemon,themorejuicewegetoutofit—toapoint.Butunlikelemons,theBiblenevergoesdry.Wecanstudyatextahundredtimesandneverexhausttherichesthatareinit.Soweshouldn’tgiveuptoosoon;rather,weshouldkeeponlooking—thelongerthebetter.

Asking.questions .Ashasalreadybeendiscussed,thesecretofgoodBiblestudyislearningtoasktherightquestions(seetheIntroductionatthebeginningofthisbook).ThenumberofquestionsyoucanaskofatextofScriptureincreasesinpro-portiontoyourwillingnesstostickwithit.AsyoucontinuegrowinginBiblestudyskills,thetypeandnumberofquestionsyouaskwillimproveandyouwillbeabletoobservemoreandmore.Thekeytogoodobservations,then,isacombinationofdiligence,patience,askingmanyquestions,andwritingdowneverythingyousee.

Tohelpyouinyourobservations,appendixFlists30ideasfromwhichyoucanselecttheonesthatwillsuityourstudy.

Step three Ask Interpretation Questions

Afterobservingallyoucaninthepassageunderstudy,youarereadytomoveontointerpretation.Thisstepinvolvesaskingquestionsaboutmeaning,thentryingtofindanswerstothem.Inthisexerciseyoudiscoverthebiblicalwriter’spurposeandmessagebyuncoveringwhathemeansbyhisidea.

Interpretivequestionsincludeaskingwhatorwhy .Someexamples:•. Whydidthewritersaythis?•. Whatisthemeaningof____________?•. Whatisthesignificanceof____________?•. Whatistheimplicationof____________?• Whyisthisimportant?


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Youshouldbeabletothinkofmanyotherinterpretivequestionstoask.Neverthink that any question is too silly or dumb. Always write every question downonyourformeventhoughyoumaynotfindananswertoit.Lateron,instudyinganotherchapter,youmaybeabletoanswerit;ifso,comebacktothischapter’sformandfillintheanswer.rememberthatthemorequestionsyouask,themoreyouwilldrawoutofthetext.

Listing. difficulties . When you are writing down your questions, it is a goodideatoincludeanydifficultiesyouhaveinunderstandingwhatisbeingsaid.Twocommon typesarepersonaldifficulties—questionsyouwould likeanswered inthefuture,oritemsforfuturestudy,andpossible.difficulties—mattersthatdon’tbotheryouatthistime,butwouldbegoodtostudysoyoucanhelpotherswhomightbebotheredbythem.

Finding.the.right.meaning.of.the.text .Afteryouhavelistedallyourquestionsofinterpretation,youneedtostartfindingsomeanswers.Thereareseveralwaystodothis.

1.Check.the.context .Youshouldalwaysstarthere,foroftentheanswerstoyourquestionswillbefoundintheversesprecedingorfollowingthetext.Alwaysinterpretapassageinlightofitscontext.Toreviewthecontext,youmayhavetogobacktoyourobservationsoryourbooksurveytoanswerthesequestions:

• Whoisspeaking?• Whoisbeingspokento?• Whenisitbeingspoken?•. Whereisitbeingspoken?•. Whatistheoccasionorcircumstance?•. Whatisthemainsubjectofthemessage?•. Istheaimofwhatisbeingsaidrevealed?•. Whatotherbackgroundmaterialclarifiesthisstatement?

Youcanavoidagreatdealofmisinterpretationbyfirstcheckingoutthecontextofaverse.

2.Define.the.words.and.phrases.used .Youmustinterpretyourtextaccordingtothecorrectandpropermeaningofthewords.LookuptheimportantwordsinaBibledictionary,wordstudyset,orEnglishdictionary.

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3.Study.the.grammar.and.structure.of.the.sentences .Sometimesaproblemofinterpretationcanbeclearedupbydiagrammingasentenceorbyunderstandingwhatgrammaticalusagethewriterintendedintheparagraph.

4.Compare.several.translations.of.the.text .UsedifferentrecentversionsoftheBibletoseehowthevarioustranslatorsrenderedaparticularword,phrase,orparagraph.

5.Study.the.background.of. the.text . Interpretyourtext in lightof thehistori-cal,cultural,geographic,economic,social,andpoliticalbackgroundsofthebook,includingthecurrenteventsofthattime.Thisshowsyouthevalueofdoingabooksurveystudybeforeattemptingachapteranalysisstudy.Useyourreferencetoolstocheckon thebackground, thewriter’spurpose inwriting thebook,andotherpertinentfactors.

6.Compare.your.text.with.other.passages.of.Scripture .Thisnextstep—cor-relation—willgiveyousomeanswers to interpretivequestionsasyoucompareScripturewithScripture.

7.Consult.a.commentary.as.a. last. resort . If youhave trieddiligently to findthemeaningofthetextyourselfandyourcross-referenceshavenothelpedyou,consult theworksofgreatBiblescholars.There isaplace forcommentaries inBiblestudy,butitcomesonly.after.you.have.done.your.own.work .CompareyourinterpretationwiththewritingsofdevoutChristiansandseeifyoursagreeswiththeirs.Ifyouhaveacorrectinterpretation,youmaybesureGodhasshownittosomeothersincereBiblestudentsinthepast.Ifyoucan’tfindanyonewhoagreeswithyou,youhaveprobablygotawronginterpretation.

Step FOur Correlate Your Chapter with Other Scriptures

Thisstepinvolvesfindingcross-referencesfortheversesofyourchapterinordertofurtherexplainthemeaningofthetext.Itisbasedontheprincipleofinterpreta-tionthatsays,“TheBibleinterpretsitself;ScripturebestexplainsScripture.”Youcanofteninterpretpassagesthatarenotclearbypassagesthatare.Askyourself,“HowdootherScripturesrelatetoandexplainthisone?”

Steps.in.cross-referencing .Herearesomepracticalwaystocorrelateverses:1.First,lookforcross-referenceswithinthesamebookyouarestudying.This

isinternalcorrelation.


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2.Second,comparestatementsinotherwritingsbythesameauthor.Thisisexternalcorrelation.

3.Then,comparewithotherbooksinthesametestament.4.Finally,comparereferencesinallofScripture.Youcanfindcross-referencesinastudyBibleorreferenceBibleorbylooking

upsimilarwordsinaconcordance.Types. of. cross-references . There are several different types of cross-refer-

ences,includingthefollowing:

•. The. pure. cross-reference . This is sometimes called the parallel cross-referencebecauseitsaysalmostexactlythesamethingastheverseyouareanalyzing.

•. The. illustrative. cross-reference . This type, which may involve a realeventorpersoninhistory,illustrateswhattheverseyouarestudyingissaying.

•. The.contrasting.cross-reference .Thistypesaystheoppositeofwhatyourversesays.Itmaylooklikeacontradiction,butitisactuallyapproachingthesubjectfromadifferentviewpoint.

Onewordofcaution:Besuretocheckthecontextoftheversesyouchooseascross-references.Otherwiseyoumaybemakingthemsaywhatthewriterdidnotsay.

Step Five List Some Possible Applications

Thelastpartoftheverse-by-verseanalysisistowritedownsomepossibleappli-cations.rememberthatyourgoalinBiblestudyisnotjustinterpretationbutappli-cation.Becauseof themanyapplications a chaptermayhave, youwill only belistingthemhere.Lateron,inStepSeven,youwillchooseoneofthesetowriteoutandtoworkonforaweek.Youhavealreadyseenthatyoucannotworkonmorethanoneapplicationperweek.Itisbettertorecordjustoneandfullyapplythattruthtoyourlifethantowritedownseveralapplicationsandthenfailtoimplementanyofthem.

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Step Six Write Down Some Concluding Thoughts

Gobackover theresultsof thefirst fivesteps,reviewthemcarefully,andwritedown some concluding thoughts on the chapter. These can include additionalobservations,someofyourinterpretations,themesyouhavediscovered,possibletopicsandpeopleyouwanttostudyinthefuture,wordsyoumaywanttodoawordstudyon,andanynumberofotherthoughtsthatcometomind.

Step Seven Write Out One Application

NowgobacktothepossibleapplicationsyoulistedinStepFiveandchooseoneofthesetoworkonthiscomingweek.Bynowyoushouldhavehadplentyofpracticeatwritingoutapplicationsthatarepersonal,practical,possible,andmeasurable.Ifnecessary,referbacktotheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudy(chap.1).Don’tforgettoputyourapplicationinthepresent,notfuture,tense.Askyourself,“WhatamIgoingtodoaboutthisnow?”

HOWTOFILLINTHECHAPTErANALYSISFOrM

Usetheformattheendofthechapterorwriteoutyourstudyonyourownsheetofpaperwiththenecessarydivisions.


Firstfillinthereferenceforthechapteryouwillstudy.Youmaywanttostudyonlyhalfachapterifitisalongone.Afterafewreadings,fillinyourowntitleforthechapter,eitherfromyourbooksurveystudyoranewonethatyouthoughtofinthesereadings.Next,youshouldsummarizethechapter,usingoneof thethreemethodssuggestedinStepOne.

Asyoubegintheverse-by-verseanalysis,writedowntheversenumbersinthecolumnsprovidedand followthatwithyourobservations, interpretations,correla-tions,andpossibleapplications.Useadditionalpiecesofpaperorformsasneeded.

On thebackof the formwritedownyourconcluding thoughtsand thatoneapplication.


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SeetheexampleofEphesians1attheendofthischapter.

Assignment

SeetheassignmentintheBookSurveyMethodofBibleStudy(chap.9)forsug-gested assignments as to which books of the Bible to study using these threemethods.

For Further Reading

MoregoodBiblestudybookshavebeenwrittenonthismethodthanonanyother.Asyourinclinationandfinancesallow,purchasesomeoftheseforyourownlibraryandreference.

Good Books on Chapter Analysis

Methodical.Bible.Study.byrobertA.Traina(Zondervan)[Veryadvanced]The.Navigator.Bible.Studies.Handbook.(NavPress)The.New.Joy.of.Discovery.in.Bible.Study.byOlettaWald(AugsburgFortress)Personal.Bible.Study.byWilliamLincoln(BethanyFellowship)

Good Books on Interpretation

Basic.Biblical.Interpretation.byroyZuck(Victor)Basics.of.Bible.Interpretation.byBobSmith(WordBooks)Getting.the.Message.byDanielDoriani(Presbyterian&reformed)Grasping.God’s.Word.byScottDuvallandDanielHays(Zondervan)How.to.Read.the.Bible.for.All.Its.Worth.byGordonFeeandDouglasStuart(Zondervan)How.to.Understand.Your.Bible.byT.NortonSterrett(InterVarsityPress)Protestant.Biblical.Interpretation.byBernardramm(Baker)Studying,. Interpreting,. and. Applying. the. Bible. by Walter Henrichsen and Gayle Jackson

(Zondervan)

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cHaPTeR anaLYsis fORM chapter Ephesians1

chapter title “God’sGreatPurposeforOurLives”

1. chapter SuMMary

Introduction(1:1–2) I. TherevelationofthePurposeofGod(1:3–14) A.Thesummarystatement—whathehasgivenus(1:3) B.Thebasisofoursalvation(theworkofGodtheFather)(1:4–6) 1. Chosentobeholyandblameless(1:4) 2.Adoptedashissons(1:5) 3.Gracefreelygivenus(1:6) C.Thebenefitsofoursalvation(theworkofGodtheSon)(1:7–12) 1. Hesacrificedhimselfforus(1:7) 2.Helavishedgraceonus(1:8) 3.Herevealedhiswilltous(1:9–10) 4.Hemadeuspartofhisinheritance(1:11–12) D.The bestowment of our salvation (the work of God the Holy Spirit)

(1:13–14) l. HerevealedChristtous(1:13) 2.HesealedusasGod’schildren(1:13) 3.Heguaranteesourinheritance(1:14) II. TheresponseofPrayertoGod(1:15–23) A.Thefoundationoftheprayer(1:15–17a) 1. Forfaithfulandlovingbelievers(1:15) 2.ToafaithfulandlovingGod(1:16–17a) B.Theformulationoftheprayer(1:17b–20a) 1. Prayerforwisdom(1:17b) 2.Prayerforenlightenment(1:18a) 3.Prayerforexperientialknowledge(1:18b–20a) C.Thefinaleoftheprayer(1:20b–23) Acknowledgmentof... 1. Christ’sresurrection(1:20b) 2.Christ’sdominionoverall(1:21) 3.Christ’sheadshipoverall(1:22) 4.Christ’slordshipoverthechurch(1:23)

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2. OBServatiOn 3. interpretatiOn

what does it say? what does it mean?

Eph. V. V.

1:3 GodhasblessedmewithEVErYspiritualblessing.

3 Godthinkstheworldofme.

4 Godchosemetolivealifeofholiness.

4 ImustobeyGodandhiscom-mandments.

5 Godhasadoptedmeintohisfamily.

5 ThismeansthatIbelongtohimforever.

7 ThroughChristIhavebeenforgiven.

7 Christistheonlyonewhocanforgivesins.

9 GodhasrevealedhiswilltousthroughJesusChrist.

9 ChristisGod’stotalrevelationofhimself.

11 IammadeanheirofGodthroughChrist.

11 Ihavealltheprivilegesofbeinganheir.

13–14 TheHolySpiritinmeisaguaranteeofmysalvationandacceptance.

13–14 ThismeansIamimportant,thatGodgavemesogreataguar-antee.

16 PaulpraysfortheEphesians. 16 IneedtoprayforfellowChris-tians.

18 Paulpraysforothers’enlighten-ment.

18 IneedtopraythatothersmayknowGod’swill.

cHaPTeR anaLYsis fORM

200

4. cOrrelatiOn 5. applicatiOn

where else is it explained? what will i do about it?

V

3 1Peter1:32Peter1:4

ThankGodforwhathehasdoneforme.

4 romans8:29Exodus20:1–17

ImustmakesureI’mleadingaholylife.

5 Galatians4:5Philippians2:13

IneedtoactasbelongingtoGod’sfamily.

7 Mark10:45romans3:25

ImustthankGodforthetotalityofhisforgiveness.

9 Galatians1:15Ephesians3:9Hebrews1:1–2

BiblestudyisanessentialifI’mtoknowGod’swill.

11 romans8:16–17Acts20:32

IshouldthankGodforthisgreatgift.

13–14 John3:33Ephesians4:302Corinthians5:5

IneedtolivemylifeinsuchawayasnottooffendtheSpiritwholivesinme.

16 Philippians1:3romans1:8–10

IneedtoprayforJohn,Sue,andBob.

18 Acts26:18 IneedtopraythisforCharlieandGail.



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6. cOncluSiOnS

ThischaptershowswhatGodhasgivenhispeople—hehasblessedthemwitheveryspiritualblessingthereis.ItgoesontolistmanyofthoseblessingsintheTrinitarianworkofsalvation.ThisiswhatGodtheFather,GodtheSon,andGodtheHolySpirithavedoneforus.readingasectionofScripturelikethisshouldgiveusarealsenseofworth,becausethisisGod’scommentaryonwhathethinksofthosewhobelongtohim.

Theproperresponsetothisgrandrevelationshouldbeaprayerofthanksgiv-ing,adoration,andpraise,whichisexactlywhatPauldoesattheendofthechapter.

7. a perSOnal applicatiOn

IneedtodevelopmoreofthespiritofprayerasPauldoeshere.Heissoover-whelmedbywhatGodhasdoneforusthathespontaneouslyprays.IneedtomeditateonwhatGodhasdoneformeandsorespondbacktohimwithaprayerofadorationandpraiseaswell.

Toimplementthis,IwillrereadEphesians1fivetimes,substituting“I”and“me”forthepronounsinthechapterandthenspendtimeprayingwithoutaskinganythingformyself,butdirectingallmyrequeststowardGodandhisglory.

202

cHaPTeR anaLYsis fORM chapter

chapter title

1. chapter SuMMary

203

2. OBServatiOn 3. interpretatiOn

what does it say? what does it mean?

Verse Verse


204

4. cOrrelatiOn 5. applicatiOn

where else is it explained? what will i do about it?

Verse



205

6. cOncluSiOnS

7. a perSOnal applicatiOn

207

InstudyingabookoftheBible,webeganwiththebooksurvey,whichexaminedthebookasawholeandcameupwithatentativeoutlineofthebook.Thenweexam-inedthebookcarefullychapterbychapter,analyzingeachverseineachchapter.Nowwecometothethirdofthemethodsinthisthree-partapproachtostudyingabookoftheBible.Thisthirdmethodwillhelpyousummarizeandcondensewhatyouhavelearnedfromtheprevioustwomethods(chaps.9and10).

Definition

TheBookSynthesisMethodofBibleStudyinvolvesstudyingabookasawholeunitofthoughtbyreadingitstraightthroughmanytimesandsummarizingitscontentsonthebasisofthepreviousstudyandtheanalysisofeachofitschapters.“Thewordsynthetic.isderivedfromtheGreekprepositionsyn,whichmeanstogether,andtheverbalrootthe,whichmeansto.put,sothattheresultantmeaningis‘aput-tingtogether.’Syntheticistheoppositeofanalytic,whichmeans‘atakingapart’”

11THe BOOk sYnTHesis


How to Tie a Whole Book of the Bible Together

208


(MerrillC.Tenney,Galatians:.The.Charter.of.Christian.Liberty,Eerdmans,p.26).Insynthesisweignorethedetailsandlookonlyatthewholepicture.Inthismethodweputtogetherwhatwetookapartinthepreviousone(chap.10).


TheBookSynthesisMethod is thenatural conclusion toan in-depthstudyofasinglebookoftheBible.Usedincombinationwiththeprevioustwomethods,thisstudyenablesyoutoseethebookasawholeagainafterhavinglookedatitspartsindetail.You“putthebookbacktogether”soyoucanseeallofthedetailsofthebookintheproperperspective.Youdothisbyrereadingthebook,producingafinaloutline,findingadescriptivetitleforit,summarizingyouroverallconclusionsaboutthebook,andwritinganapplication.

tools you Will neeD

YouwillneedthesametoolsforthismethodasfortheBookSurveyMethodfoundinchapter9.

Step One — Reread the Book

Step twO — Write Out a Detailed, Final Outline

Step three — Write Down a Descriptive Book Title

Step FOur — Make a Summary of Your Insights

Step Five — Write Out a Personal Application

Step Six — Share the Results of Your Study with Others

The.Book.Synthesis.Method.of.Bible.Study

20�

simPle stePs on Doing a Book synthesis

TheBookSynthesisFormhassixsteps.Besure tohavehandyyourpreviouslyfilled-inBookSurveyFormandtheChapterAnalysisFormsforeachchapterofthebooksoyoucanrefertothemoften.

Step One Reread the Book

rereadthebookseveraltimes.readitatonesitting,inarecenttranslation,rapidly,repeatedly,prayerfully,withoutreferringtocommentaries,andwithpenorpencilinhand(seetheinstructionsforStepOneinchapter9).

Step twO Write Out a Detailed, Final Outline

Comparethehorizontalchartandtentativeoutlineyoucreatedinyourbooksurveywiththepassagesummariesyoucreatedinyourchapteranalysisstudies.Basedonthiscomparisonandyourrecentreadings,writeoutadetailed,finaloutlineofthe book.Merrill Tenney gives an excellent example in his book onBible studymethods(Tenney,Christian.Liberty,p.35).

Step three Write Down a Descriptive Book Title

Fromyourhorizontalchartinthebooksurveyandyourdetailed,finaloutlineinStepTwo,writedownadescriptivetitleforthebookyouhavejuststudied.Thinkupanoriginaltitlethatdescribesinafewwordswhatthebookisallabout.Youmightalsoconsultyourchaptertitlesandformasynthesisofthem.

Step FOur Make a Summary of Your Insights

review and compare the concluding thoughts in each of your chapter analysisstudiesandsummarizewhatyoubelievearethemajorthemesandconclusionsofthebook.Donotrefertocommentariesatthispoint,fortheseshouldbeyourowninsights intoGod’sWord.These insightscouldalso includeobservationsgainedfromyournewreadings.

210


Step Five Write Out a Personal Application

reviewall thepersonalapplicationsyoumade inyourbooksurveyandchapteranalysisstudiesandthepossibleapplicationsyou listedforeachchapter. Ifyouhaven’tfulfilledsomeofthewrittenapplicationsyet,writethosedowninthisstepandmakespecificplans tocarry themout immediately. Ifyouhavedonethem,choose another possible application from the chapter studies or one from yoursyntheticstudyandwriteitouthere.refertochapter1ofthisbookforthewaystodothis.

Step Six Share the Results of Your Study with Others

BiblestudyshouldnotjustbefoodforyoursoulandincreaseyourunderstandingoftheWordofGod.Itsresults,includingyourapplications,needtobesharedwithothers.Youcandothisintwoways:

1.Sharewithyour“Timothy”(orTimothette)inaone-on-onesituation.Whenyougettogether,sharewhatyouarelearningfromtheBiblestudy,whatapplica-tionsyouhavebeenworkingon,andhowheorshetoocanprofitfromtheirownstudy.Themoreyougiveout,themoreyouwilllearnyourself.

2.SharewithyourBiblestudygroup.Ifyouarenotinonealready,youmightwanttoformasmallgroupinwhichallofyouarestudyingthesamebookoftheBibleandsharingyourfindings.Thiswayyouwillstrengthenandhelponeanotherinareasofthestudiesthatmaynotbecleartosomeinthegroup.

HOWTOFILLINTHEBOOKSYNTHESISFOrM

Usetheformattheendofthischaptertoaidyouinyourstudy.Ifyourunoutofroom,attachadditionalblanksheetstotheformsoyoucankeepallofyourfind-ingstogether.


Writethenameofthebookyouintendtostudyintheappropriateblank.Thenfol-lowthesixstepsofthestudyasyoucompletetherestoftheform.

The.Book.Synthesis.Method.of.Bible.Study

211


SeethesampleonthebookofEphesiansattheendofthischapter.

Assignment

referbacktotheAssignmentsectioninchapter9(BookSurveyMethod)forsug-gestedbiblicalbooksyoumightstartwithtopracticetheselastthreemethods.

For Further Reading

Inaddition to thebooks listed in the“ForFurtherreading”sectionsof the twoprecedingchapters,herearetwoexcellentresources:

Galatians:.The.Charter.of.Christian.Liberty.byMerrillC.Tenney(Eerdmans)How.to.Read.the.Bible.Book.by.Book.byGordonFeeandDouglasStuart(Zondervan)

212

BOOk sYnTHesis fORMBOOk Ephesians chapterS 6

1. nuMBer OF tiMeS reaD 5

2. DetaileD, Final Outline

Introduction(1:1–2) 1.Theauthor(1:1) 2.Therecipients(1:1) 3.Thesalutation(1:2) I. God’sPlanfortheChurch(1:3–3:21)

(WhoweareinthesightofGod) A.TheSelectionoftheChurch(1:3–23) 1.TherevelationofthepurposeofGod(1:3–14) a. Thesummarystatement(1:3) b. Thebasisofoursalvation—theworkofGodtheFather(1:4–6) c. Thebenefitsofoursalvation—theworkofGodtheSon

(1:7–12) d. Thebestowmentofoursalvation—theworkofGodtheHoly

Spirit(1:13–14) 2.TheresponseofprayertoGod(1:15–23) B.TheSalvationoftheChurch(2:1–22) 1.TheworkofChristinregeneration(2:1–10) a. Whatwewere(2:1–3) b. Whathedid(2:4–9) c. Whathemadeofus(2:10) 2.TheworkofChristinreconciliation(2:11–22) a. Whatwewere(2:11–12) b. Whathedid(2:13–18) c. Whathemadeofus(2:19–22) C.TheSecretoftheChurch(3:1–21) 1.Therevelationofthe“mystery”(3:1–13)

BOOk sYnTHesis fORM

213

Outline (Continued)

a. Allsavedpeopleareheirstogether(3:1–6) b. Thisneedstobepreachedtoeveryone(3:7–13) 2.TheresponseofprayertoGod(3:14–21) a. Prayingforotherstoknowthis(3:14–19) b. Thedoxology(3:20–21) II.TheConductoftheChurch(4:1–6:20)

(WhatourresponsibilitiesAreBeforeGod) A.TheresponsibilitiesoftheChurch(4:1–5:21) 1.Tohaveaunitedwalk(4:1–16) 2.Tohaveanunderstandingwalk(4:17–32) 3.Tohaveanunselfishwalk(5:1–4) 4.Tohaveanunsulliedwalk(5:5–21) B.TherelationshipswithintheChurch(5:21–6:9) 1.Maritalrelationships(5:21–33) 2.Familyrelationships(6:1–4) 3.Employmentrelationships(6:5–9) C.TheresourcesoftheChurch(6:10–20) 1.Theadmonition(6:10) 2.Theadversaries(6:11–12) 3.Thearmor(6:13–17) 4.Theaccess(6:18) 5.Theambassador(6:19–20)

Conclusion(6:21–24) 1.Themessenger(6:21–22) 2.Thegreeting(6:23–24)

3. DeScriptive title

“Christian,YouAreSomebody!NowLiveIt!”

214

BOOk sYnTHesis fORM4. SuMMary OF inSightS

a. GodistheAuthorofsalvation—heplannedit fromtheverybeginning.Andbecauseitishisplan,itworks!

b. JesusChrististheonewhoredeemsusfromoursinsandreconcilesustoGodandtooneanother.Thereisnowaythatpeopleofvaryingback-grounds,races,religions,cultures,etc.,canbereconciledtooneanotherexceptthroughChrist.

c. TheHolySpiritistheonewholivesinusandenablesustounderstandwhatweareinChrist.HeistheGuaranteeofoursalvationandtheEnablerforustoliveourlivesGod’sway.

d. BecauseofwhoweareinGod’ssight,wehavetheresponsibilitytoliveholylives—wehavetheresponsibilitytobecomelikehim.WhatGodhasdone isdescribed in chapters1–3;whatweare todo isdescribed inchapters4–6.Wemusttaketheseresponsibilitiesseriously.

e. TheplanofGodisforALLhispeopletobeinvolvedintheworkofthemin-istry.Becauseallofushavebeengivenspiritualblessings,allofushavetheresponsibilityofministrytoothers—sharingtheGospel,leadingthemtotheLord,andthendisciplingthem.

f. GodexpectsacertaintypeofbehaviorfromallChristiansinourmostintimaterelationships.Thisincludesmarriage,raisingafamily,andwherewework.Thus theresponsibilities forallof theserelationshipsarecarefullyspelledout.Ourfaithistobeexpressedthroughthebasicrelationshipsoflife.

g. ItisimpossibleforusinourownstrengthtolivethewayGodwants.That’swhyhegaveustheHolySpiritandhisarmor.TheresourcesofGodareoursaswellastheblessings.Wemustputonthewholearmorinordertolivevictoriously.

h. Thisbookistremendouslyhearteningtouswheneverwebeginfeelingsorryforourselves.HereGodtellsuswhathethinksofus.TherecanbenohigherorgreaterrecommendationthanGod’sintermsofwhathethinksofus.

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ThisbookspellsoutwhatmyresponsibilitiesasaChristianareinallareasoflife.InowknowthatGodexpectsmetobeagoodanddiligentworker.IamtoobeyhimandsubmittohiminthenameofChrist.

Ihavenotalwaysbeenthebestworker.Thispassage(Ephesians6:5–9)hasconvictedmeofmyresponsibilitytobeabetteremployee.Iwilldetermine,bythehelpoftheLord,tobethebestemployeepossibleformyboss.Also,whentheopportunityarises,IwillsharewithhimthegospelofJesusandwhythisGoodNewshaschangedmylife.Buthe’sgoingtohavetoseeitinmefirstbeforehewilllistentowhatIhavetosay.

So that Iwill carry out this application, Iwill askCharlie, aChristianwithwhomIwork,tohelpmebethekindofworkerGodwantsmetobe.Iwillaskhimtomeetwithmeeachweektopraythatbothofusmighthavethatkindoftestimony.ThismaybeanopportunityformetobeginworkingwithCharlieonaone-on-onebasis.

6. peOple with whOM tO Share thiS StuDy

CharlieJohnson

BudFredricks

ThepeopleinmyBiblestudygroup

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1. nuMBer OF tiMeS reaD

2. DetaileD, Final Outline

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Outline (continued)

3. DeScriptive title

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BOOk sYnTHesis fORM4. SuMMary OF inSightS

BOOk sYnTHesis fORM

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6. peOple with whOM tO Share thiS StuDy

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AsanalternativetotheChapterAnalysisMethodofBibleStudy(chap.10),whereyouusetheprinciplesofobservation,interpretation,correlation,andapplicationinasystematicfashion,theverse-by-verseanalysisofapassageisusefulwhenyoudon’thavethetimeforanin-depthstudy.ratherthandoinganextensivejobonbooksurvey,chapteranalysis,andbooksynthesis,theverse-by-verseanalysisofapassagetakeseachverseandexaminesitfromfiveviewpoints,usingthespecialVerse-by-VerseAnalysisForm.

Thefivethingsyouwilldowitheachverseare

• Writeapersonalparaphraseofit.• Listsomequestionsandwhateveranswersyoufind.• Findsomecross-referencesforit.• Writedownsomeinsightsyouhavediscovered.• Writeoutabriefpersonalapplication.

12THe veRse-BY-veRse

anaLYsis MeTHOD Of BiBLe sTUDY

How to Study a Passage of the Bible Verse by Verse

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Definition

TheVerse-by-VerseAnalysisMethodofBibleStudyinvolvesselectingapassageofScriptureandexaminingitindetailbyaskingquestions,findingcross-references,andparaphrasingeachverse.Wethenrecordapossible,personalapplicationforeachversewestudy.


Thismethodmaybeusedtwoways.First,itmaybeusedasanalternativetotheChapterAnalysisMethodwhenyouwanttoworksystematicallythroughapassageorchapter.Itisparticularlyusefulwhenyouhavelimitedtimeandcannotcompleteawholechapteratonesitting.Inthismethodyouhavetheoptionofselectingthenumberofversesinapassageyouwanttoanalyzeatanygiventime.Theformisopen-ended,andyoumayproceedatwhateverpaceyoudesire.

Second, itmaybeused inamoreadvanced topicalstudy. In thiscase, theverse-by-versechartwouldbeusedinplaceofthecomparisonchart(attheendofthischapter).

Thismethodcanbeusedwithoutreferencetools,oryoucanengageinamorein-depthapproachthatrequiresaminimumoftools,asfollows:

Step One — Write Out a Personal Paraphrase

Step twO — List Some Questions, Answers, and Observations

Step three — Find Some Cross-References for Each Verse

Step FOur — Record Any Insights You Get from Each Verse

Step Five — Write Down a Brief Personal Application for Each Verse

The.Verse-by-Verse.Analysis.Method.of.Bible.Study

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• AstudyBible• Anexhaustiveconcordance(forcross-references)• ABibledictionaryand/orBibleencyclopedia• Asetofwordstudies

simPle stePs on Doing a verse-By-verse analysis

Thisstudyisbuiltaroundtheverse-by-verseanalysischart.Youfollowfivesimpleproceduresforeachversethatyoustudy.Tobegin,selectthepassageyouwanttoanalyzeversebyverse.Workthroughthepassageinalogicalorder,writingoutyourfirstverseinthefirstspaceofcolumn1,secondverseinthesecondspace,andsoforth(seetheSampleVerse-by-VerseAnalysisForm).

Step One Write a Personal Paraphrase

Writeouttheverseinyourownwords.Donotuseoneofthemodernparaphrasesexcepttogettheideaofhowtodoit.Staytruetotheverseyouareparaphrasing,andtrytocondenseratherthanexpandit.

Step twO List Some Questions, Answers, and Observations

Incolumn3oftheChapterAnalysisFormattheendofthischapter,listanyques-tionsyouhaverelatingtowords,phrases,persons,topics,anddoctrinesinthatverse.Writedownanyanswersyoucanfindandalsorecordanyobservationsyouhave.Marktheseasfollows:

• Q=Question• A=Answer• O=Observations

Step three Find Some Cross-References for Each Verse

Usingthecross-referencesfromyourstudyBibleorfromScripturememory,writedownsomecross-references(atleastone)fortheverseyouarestudying.Identify

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thewordorphraseyouarecross-referencingat theendof this chapter.Useaconcordanceifyoudonothaveacross-referencedBible.

Step FOur Record Any Insights You Get from Each Verse

Havingthoughtthroughthewords,phrases,andconceptsintheverse,recordanyinsightsthatyougetfromthem.Thesecouldbefurtherobservations,wordsandnamesthatyouhavelookedupanddefined,oranyotherthoughtthatcomestoyou.Letyour imaginationgoandbeascreativeasyoucan inthisfifthcolumn,calledPersonalApplication,intheformattheendofthischapter.

Step Five Write Down a Brief Personal Application for Each Verse

Because of the number of verses in your study, you will not be able to designanapplicationprojectforeachverse.Instead,justtrytorecordsomedevotionalthoughtsthatcometoyoufromeachverse.Later,inadevotionalBiblestudy,youcanpickoneofthethoughtsandplantoworkonit.Or,ifaparticularverseseemstomeetanimmediateneed,goaheadandwriteoutanapplicationthatispossible,practical,personal,andmeasurable.

HOWTOFILLINTHEVErSE-BY-VErSEANALYSISFOrM

Youwillneedasmanyformsoryourownsheetsofpaper—onwhichyouhavedrawnthesixcolumns—asthereareversesinthechapteryouarestudying.Whenyouhavedecidedonthenumberofversestostudy,writeeachoneinaseparatespaceincolumn1,usingyourfavoritetranslationoftheBible.Youshouldprobablystickwiththesametranslationallthroughthestudy.


Afterselectingtheversesandfillingincolumn1withtheirwords,fill intherestofthecolumnsasdescribedinthefivestepsabove.refertothefollowingsampleformforideasonhowtodoit.Theonlylimitingfactorsinthisstudyareyourtimeandyourcreativity.

The.Verse-by-Verse.Analysis.Method.of.Bible.Study

225


Seetheexampleof1Timothy1:1–3attheendofthischapter.

Assignment

Sinceyouhavebeengivenasamplefrom1Timothy,yourassignmentistocon-tinueinthatbook.Whenyouhavecompleteditandwantachangeofpaceaftertryingsomeothermethods,youmaywanttostudysomeoftheshorterbooksoftheNewTestament, suchas2Timothy,1John,Philippians, or theone-chapterbooks(Philemon,2John,3John,andJude).

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BOOk Or tOpic 1Timothy

Verses PersonalParaphrase QuestionsandAnswers

1:1

Paul,anapostleofChristJesusby

thecommandofGodourSavior,

andofChristJesusourhope,

Paul,onesentforthasChrist’srep-

resentative,asinstructedbyGod,

theOnewhosavesus,andChrist

Jesusourhope,

Q.Whatdoestheword“apostle”

mean?

A.TheGreekwordapostolos.

comesfromtheverbapostello,

“sendforth.”

O.GodtheFatherratherthanChrist

iscalledSavior.

1:2

ToTimothy,mytruesoninthefaith:

Grace,mercyandpeacefromGod

theFatherandChristJesusour

Lord.

ToTimothy,mytruechildinthe

Christianfaith.Maylove,mercy,

andpeacefromGodtheFatherand

ChristJesusourLordbeyours.

Q.DoesthenameTimothyhave

anyspecialmeaning?

A.Timothymeans“hewhohonors

God.”

1:3

AsIurgedyouwhenIwentinto

Macedonia,staythereinEphesus

sothatyoumaycommandcertain

mennottoteachfalsedoctrines

anylonger.

AsIurgedyouuponmydeparture

forMacedonia,remaininEphesus

sothatyoucaninstructcertain

mennottoteachnon-Christian

doctrines.

Q.Whatdoctrineswerebeing

taughtbythesemen?

A.Notdoctrinesoffalsereligions,

butafalseteachingposingas

inspiredChristiandoctrine.

Q.WhatwasTimothy’sministryin

Ephesus?

veRse-BY-veRse anaLYsis fORM

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BOOk Or tOpic 1Timothy

Cross-references InsightsPossiblePersonal

ApplicationsApostle:

2Corinthians1:1

GodmySavior:

Luke1:47

Titus1:3

Christourhope:

Colossians1:27

1.ThenamePaulcamefromthe

LatinnamePaulus,whichmeans

“little.”

2.ThenameTimothymeans“he

whohonorsGod.”

3.PauldidnotneedtotellTimothy

thathewasanapostle,soperhaps

thisletterwasintendedtoberead

byothersaswell.

Imustbegintoseemyselfinthe

roleofChrist’sambassadorwho

hasbeenauthorizedandsentout

withadivinemessage.Theauthor-

ityofmywitnesswillonlybeas

effectiveasmyawarenessofmy

mission.

Mychild:

2Timothy1:2

ChristJesus:

1Timothy1:15

1.“Messiah”inHebrewmeans

“Christo”inGreek,whichmeans

“Christ”inEnglish.Christmeans

“theanointedoneofGod.”

2.Jesusmeans“JehovahSaves!”

Itcomesfromtheword”Joshua.”

Maymynamebecomesynony-

mouswithalifethatishonoringto

God,likeTimothy’s.

Falseteaching:

1Timothy6:3

2Corinthians11:4

1.PaulcriticizedtheChristiansin

Corinthfortheirweaknessindeal-

ingwithfalsedoctrine(2Cor.11:4).

SinceTimothywaswithPaulin

Corinthforalongtime,hereceived

goodtrainingforwhatwasneeded

inEphesus.

2.TimothywenttoEphesuswith

Paul,thenlater,afterPaul’sfirst

romanimprisonment,Timothywas

thereagain.Thisiswhenhewas

urgedtostay.

Iwillendeavortobeknowledge-

ableofChristiandoctrinesoIcan

differentiatebetweentrueand

falseteaching.ChristianScience,

Jehovah’sWitness,andMormon-

ismallneedmyattentioninthis

regard.


228

BOOk Or tOpic

Verses PersonalParaphrase QuestionsandAnswers


22�

BOOk Or tOpic

Cross-references InsightsPossiblePersonal

Applications


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Appendix A

HOW TO Have a MeaningfUL QUieT TiMe

ThroughoutthisbookIhavemadereferencestothequiet time. IhaveassumedthatanypersonwhoiscommittedtopersonalBiblestudyalsohasaregularquiettime.Unfortunately,however,somepeopledoBiblestudyjustfortheintellectualstimulationitbringsthem.

Thisappendixisforthosewhoknowtheyshouldhaveaquiettime,butarenotsurehowtogoaboutit.

The quiet time has been called many things in the history of the Christianchurch.Itisknownasthe“morningwatch,”“personaldevotions,”“appointmentwithGod,”orthe“personaldevotionaltime.”Itreallydoesn’tmatterwhatyoucallitaslongasyouhaveitregularly.

ThequiettimeissimplyadailytimeofpersonalfellowshipwithGodthroughtheWordandprayer.Itisatimewedeliberatelysetasideinwhichtomeetwithhim.TheobjectiveisthatwemightgrowinourpersonalrelationshipwithGod,sothatwecanknowhim,lovehim,andbecomemorelikehim.

Thisappendixdealswiththreepracticalaspectsofthequiettime—why.we.should.have.a.quiet.time,.how.to.have.a.meaningful.time.with.God,andhow.to.deal.with.common.problemsthatariseduringourquiettimes.

Why shoulD We have a Quiet time?

“Why”iscertainlyalegitimatequestion.Whataresomegoodreasonsforit?TheBiblegivesusthreemajorreasons:

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• BecauseweneedfellowshipwithGod• BecauseitisourprivilegeasChristians• Becausewegaintremendousbenefitsfromit

Because We need fellowship with god

ThefirstreasonweshouldhaveaquiettimeisthatweneedfellowshipwithGod.BecauseweareChristians,nowrightlyrelatedtotheeternalGodofheavenandearth,wemusthaveregularfellowshipwithhiminwhichwegettoknowhimandlovehimmoreintimately.

WhyisdailyfellowshipwithGodsoimportant?1.We.were.created.to.have.fellowship.with.God .Godcreatedpeopleinhisown

imageforthepurposeoffellowship.Wearetheonlycreaturesinallcreationthathavethecapacity tohavefellowshipwiththeCreator.AdamhadthatfellowshipperfectlyinthegardenofEdenbeforetheFall(seeGen.2–3).

2.Jesus.Christ.died.on.the.cross.so.that.fellowship.could.be.restored .WhenAdamsinned,hisfellowshipwithGodwasbroken.AndallofussinnerswhohavefollowedinAdam’sfootstepscannotbynaturehavefellowshipwithapureandholyGod.ButGodconsideredthatrelationshipimportantenoughtosendhisSontothisworldtodieforoursinssothatwemightagainhavetheprivilegeofapersonalrelationshipwithhim.AndGodhascalledusChristianstohavefellowshipwithhim(see1Cor.1:9;1John1:3–4).

3.The.regular.quiet.time.during.Jesus’.ministry.was.a.source.of.his.strength .PersonalfellowshipwithhisFatherinheavenwasthetoppriorityofJesus’life(seeMark1:35;Luke5:16;22:39–44).Hewasnevertoobusyforit;infact,whenhisministrywasthebusiest,that’swhenhemadecertainthathekeptindailytouchwiththeFather(seeJohn5:30).IfJesusneededthistimewithGod,howmuchmoreweneedit.

4.Every.great.man.or.woman.of.God.throughout.history.has.spent.much.time.alone.with.God .AnyonewhohaseverbeenusedmightilybytheLordwasapersonoftheWordandprayer.Theregularquiettimewastheonethingtheyhadincom-mon.ThecommondenominatoramongMoses,David,Daniel,Paul,JohnCalvin,JohnWesley,CharlesFinney,DwightL.Moody,CharlesSpurgeon,BillyGraham,

Appendix.A:.How.to.Have.a.Meaningful.Quiet.Time

233

andalloftheothergreatsaintsofhistoryisthattheyallspentmuchtimewithGodinpersonalfellowship.Theirwritingsandministriesclearlyshowthis.

Someonehassaid,“Ifyouwanttofindoutwhatamanisreallylike,findoutwhatheislikealonewithGod.”MartinLuther,thefatherofthereformation,oncesaid,“IhavesomuchtodotodaythatImustspendatleastthreehoursinprayer.”Thebusierhewas,themoretimeheneededwithGod.Ifyouaretoobusytohaveaquiettime,thenyou’retoobusy!

5.We.cannot.be.healthy,.growing.Christians.without.daily.fellowship.with.the.Lord .Thequiettimeisnotjustanicesuggestion;itisavitalnecessityforachildofGod.ItisabsolutelyessentialforChristiangrowthandmaturity.

Haveyouevergonewithoutfoodforaday?Ifyoukeptitup,youwouldgetweakandsick.Thesameistrueinyourspirituallife,fortheBibleisthenecessaryfood foryoursoul. Ifyougowithout reading itvery long,youwillgetspirituallyweakandsick.YetmanyChristiansgetbywithone“meal”perweek(forsome,perhapstwomeals)inchurchonSundays.Youwouldnotsurvivelongononeortwophysicalmealsperweek,sohowcanyouinyourspirituallife?

JobconsideredtheWordofGodmorenecessarythanhisdailyfood(Job23:12).Jesus,quotingtheOldTestament,declaredthatmanneedstolivebyeverywordcomingfromGod(Matt.4:4;seeDeut.8:3).PetercalledtheScripturesnourishingmilk(1Peter2:2),andthewritertotheHebrewsthoughtoftheWordassolidfood(Heb.5:14).

Haveyouevergoneforsometimewithoutabath?Ifyouhave,thenyouknowhow“sticky”youfeelafterawhileandhowyourodorsgetmorepronounced.TheBiblesaysthatwhenwereadtheWordofGod,wearecleansed.Adailyquiettimeisaspiritualbath.ManyChristianswhowouldnotthinkofoffendingtheirfriendsbynotbathingregularlydonotrealizethattheycanbeoffensivetotheLordwiththeirspiritualodors!(SeePsalm119:9;Ephesians5:26;John15:3.)

Fromtheaboveobservations,youcanconcludethat ifyouarenothavingaregularquiettime...

• Youaremissingoutontheprivilegeforwhichyouwerecreated.• YouarerejectingthatwhichJesusdiedfortomakepossible.

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• YouwillneverexperiencethesamepowerandrefreshmentJesusdid.• YouwillneverbeusedgreatlybyGod.• YouwillremainaweakandsicklyChristianallyourlife.

“But Idon’thavethetime!”isanexcusewehearsooften.Everypersonintheworldhasexactlythesameamountoftimeeachweek—168hours.Youwillspendsomeofthosehoursonthingsyouthinkareimportant.Youdon’thavetimeforeverything;youmustmaketimeforthingsthatreallycount.It’snotamatteroftime,butamatterofpriorities.Whatisreallyimportanttoyou?

ThekeytomakingtimeforthequiettimeisyourcommitmenttoChristandthekingdomofGod.Jesusstated,“Seekfirsthiskingdomandhisrighteousness,andallthesethingswillbegiventoyouaswell”(Matt.6:33).PutGodfirstinyourlifeandyouwillhavemoretime.Don’tletanythingrobyouofthattimeoffellowshipwiththeLord.Preserveitatallcosts.IfJesusChristisfirstinyourlife,yououghttogivehimthefirstpartofeveryday.Yourquiettimeshouldbetheabsolutenumberonepriorityandcommitmentofyourlife.

Because it is Our Privilege as christians

WeshouldhaveaquiettimeeachdaybecauseitisatremendousprivilegetohavebeengrantedapersonalinterviewandtimeoffellowshipwiththeCreatoroftheuniverse.Thequiettimeallowsusfourgreatprivileges:

• WegivedevotiontoGod.• WegetdirectionfromGod.• WegaindelightinGod.• WegrowmorelikeGod.

Whathappenswhenwehaveaquiettime?1.We.give.devotion.to.God .Thefirstprivilegeofthequiettimeistogive,not

toget.Apsalmistsaid,“AscribetotheLOrDthegloryduehisname;worshiptheLOrDinthesplendorofhisholiness”(Ps.29:2).Anotherpsalmisturged,“Come,letusbowdowninworship,letuskneelbeforetheLOrDourMaker”(Ps.95:6).

In recent years two wrong emphases have been permeating the Americanchurch.Thefirstistheoveremphasisongetting:WhatwillIgetoutofchurch,out


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ofSundayschool,outofdoingwhatGodsays?Itistheresultofourculture’sgreatemphasisonentertainment,inwhichthepeoplebeingentertainedmustbesatisfied.Whencarriedover intospiritualmatters, itbecomesself-centeredreligionand isdefinitelynotbiblical.That’swhysomuchisbeingsaidtodayaboutfollowingJesus,butlittleissaidaboutthecostofdiscipleship.WeofferprizestogetChristianstocometochurchwhentheyoughttobecomingbecausetheylovetheSavior.

Theothererror is theoveremphasisonworking forGodandneglecting theworshipofGod.Satan,thegodofthisworld,hassoldusabillofgoodsingettingustosubstituteworkforworship.Mostofusaresomuchonthego,evenindoingfineChristianthings,thatwedon’tknowtherealmeaningofworship.Jesussaid,“WorshiptheLordyourGod,andservehimonly”(Matt.4:10;seeDeut.6:13).Wor-shipcomesbeforeservice.

WearetogivedailydevotiontoGodbecauseGoddeservesourdevotion.WhenJohnsawthemultitudesofheavensingingpraisestoGod,heheardthemsay,“Youareworthy,ourLordandGod,toreceivegloryandhonorandpower”(rev.4:11;see5:12).BecauseGodisourCreatorandredeemer,hedeservestobeworshipedandpraised.WeshouldgotoourquiettimeseachdayoutofloveforGod,notoutofasenseofduty:“God, I’vecome toworshipyoubecauseyoudeserve tobeworshipedandadored!”

WearealsotogivedailydevotiontoGodbecausehedesiresdevotionfromus.Jesustoldthewomanatthewell,“YetatimeiscomingandhasnowcomewhenthetrueworshiperswillworshiptheFatherinspiritandtruth,fortheyarethekindofworshiperstheFatherseeks”(John4:23).Godseeksourworship.

Aversethatisoftenusedinevangelism,andproperlysobywayofanalogy,wasactuallywrittenincontexttoChristiansinalukewarmchurch.HereJesusissaying,“HereIam!Istandatthedoorandknock.Ifanyonehearsmyvoiceandopensthedoor, Iwillgo inandeatwithhim,andhewithme”(rev.3:20).TheSaviordesiresfellowshipwithus.Hestandsoutsidethedoorofourliveswantingandlongingtohavefellowshipwithusandreceiveourworship.Heisliketheidealhumanfatherwhowantstospendtimewithhischildren.

HowlonghasitbeensinceyoutooktimealonewithGodjusttotellhimthatyoulovehim?

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2.We.get.direction.from.God .ThesecondprivilegeofthequiettimeisforustogetdirectionfromGodfordailyliving.ThiswasDavid’sattitudeinlife:“ShowmeYourways,OLOrD,teachmeYourpaths;guidemeinyourtruthandteachme,foryouareGodmySavior,andmyhopeisinYoualldaylong”(Ps.25:4–5;seealsoPss.40:8;73:24;143:10;Isa.42:16).ThequiettimeisagreatopportunitytoreceivecounselfromtheLord.

Inthisfast-pacedageofhurry,weneedatimewhenwecanslowdown,collectourthoughts,evaluatewhatishappeningaroundus,andgetdirectionfromtheonewhoknowstheendfromthebeginning.Pascaloncesaid,“Allthetroublesofmanarisefromhisinabilitytositstill.”OnanumberofoccasionsJesusinvitedhisdisciplesto“comeapart”withhimforawhile(e.g.,Mark6:31KJV)thattheymightrecuperatephysicallyandspiritually.VanceHavnerhassaid,“Ifyoudon’t‘comeapart’periodi-cally,youwillliterallycomeapart!”ItisalsointerestingthatoftenJesusexplainedhisteachingstothediscipleswhentheywerealonewithhim(seeMark4:34).

WhenwegetdirectionfromGodinourquiettimes,hecausesusfirsttoconsider.our.ways .Wetakethetimetoassessourlives.That’swhatDaviddid:“Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart;testmeandknowmyanxiousthoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting”(Ps.139:23–24;seealsoProv.4:26;14:12).AreyoukeepingontrackfortheLord?Areyougrowingdailyinyourspirituallife?Haveyouallowedsomesinstopileupinyourlife?TaketheseandsimilarquestionsandtrytolookatyourlifefromGod’spointofview.ThiswillhelpyoukeepGod’sperspectiveonthings,becauseoverandoveryoucangetsocaughtupinthenecessarydetailsoflifethatyoulosetheoverallpicture.

Thequiettimeisalsoatimetocommit.our.daytotheLord.Solomonurged,“TrustintheLOrDwithallyourheartandleannotonyourownunderstanding;inallyourwaysacknowledgehim,andhewillmakeyourpathsstraight”(Prov.3:5–6;seealsoPs.37:5).AskGodtoshowyouhiswillfortheday;commityourscheduletohim,andaskhimtoguideyouintheupcomingactivities.Youmightevenaskhimtohelpyoubudgetyourtimesoyoucangetmoredone(seePs.90:12).Askhimtohelpyousortoutthenecessaryfromtheunnecessary(see1Cor.10:23).

ItisonlyasyouareintouchwiththeLorddailythatyouwillseelife’sprob-lemsandopportunitiesfromtherightperspective.Onlythroughyourmeetingwith


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himwillhebeabletoguideyourlifemoreeffectively.OneofthemostimportantrequestsyoucanmakewhilecommittingyourdaytotheLordistoaskhimtopre-pareanddirectyoutosomeonetowhomyoucanwitnessthatday.LetGodpickoutyourwitnessingopportunities.

3.We.gain.delight.in.God .ThethirdprivilegeofthequiettimeistoenjoyGodandsimplytobaskinhispresence.DavidtoldGod,“Youhavemadeknowntomethepathoflife;youwillfillmewithjoyin.Your.presence”(Ps.16:11).ThesecretofrealjoyisknowingGodpersonally(seePss.34:8;37:4;42:1–2;63:1;73:25;Phil.3:10).ManyChristiansaremiserableandleadunhappylivesbecausetheyneverspendtimeinGod’spresence.

DoyoureallyknowChrist,ordoyoumerelyknowabouthim?Toknowhimintimatelywas theapostlePaul’snumberonepriority in life (seePhil.3:7–10).Howisitwithyou?

Togettoknowsomeoneintimatelyandenjoyhimpersonally,youmust...

• Spendqualitytimewithhim.• Communicatemeaningfullywithhim.• Observehiminavarietyofsituations.

ThesesamecriteriaapplyingettingtoknowandenjoyGod,too.rememberthatitishardtohavealoveaffairinacrowd;youneedtogetalonewiththatoneperson.ThisiswhytheBiblespeaksofourrelationshipwithGodthroughChristasaloverelationship.Infact,itiscalledamarriage:ChrististheBridegroomandweinthechurcharehisbride.

WhenIfirstmetKay,mywife,andGodknitourheartstogetherinlove,morethananythingelseIwantedtospendtimealonewithher.Wespenttimewitheachother,wecommunicated,andweobservedoneanotherinavarietyofsituations.ThatisthewayyourrelationshipoughttobewithGod.

AreyouanxioustogetaloneandshareintimatelywithJesus?Ifnot,youshouldbe.Makeyourgoalforthequiettime,notjusttolearnaboutJesus,butactuallytomeetwithhim.Expecttomeethimeachmorning,forhe’stherewaitingtomeetwithyou.

SometimeswegetsobusyworkingforGodorwithourownaffairsthatweforgetjusttolovehim.Godoncesaidthroughhisprophet,“Doesamaidenforget

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her jewelry,abrideherweddingornaments?Yetmypeoplehave forgottenme,dayswithoutnumber”(Jer.2:32).WeparticularlyforgetGodwhenwefailtoreadtheloveletterhehaswrittentous—theBible.

IoncespentasummeronapreachingmissioninJapanbeforemywifeandIweremarried.WhileIwasthere,Ireceivedaletterfromhereveryday.HowdoyouthinkKaywouldhavefeltifItoldherwhenIgotbackhome,“ThankssomuchforwritingmeinJapan.Ireallyappreciatedreceivingyourletters.Unfortunately,Ineverhadtimetoreadanyofthem”?Therewouldhavebeenastraininourrelationship.

ThebestwaytogettoknowtheLordistospendtimealonewithhim,sharingyourthoughtswithhiminprayerandreadingoverandoveragaintheloveletterhehaswrittenyou.

4.We.grow.more.like.God .Thefourthprivilegeofthequiettimeistheopportu-nitytogrowinourspirituallives,becomingmoreandmorelikeJesusChrist.WhenGodcreatedthehumanrace,he“createdmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodhecreatedhim”(Gen.1:27).HispurposeformanwasthathemightbecomelikeGod“in[his] likeness”(Gen.1:26).Butmanchosetobecomelikethedevilinstead(Gen.3).SointheactofredemptionGodwentbacktohisoriginalpurpose.Hewantedhispeopleagaintobelikehim,likeJesusChrist.“ForthoseGodfore-knewhealsopredestinedtobeconformedtothelikenessofhisSon,thathemightbethefirstbornamongmanybrothers”(rom.8:29).

HowdowebecomelikeJesus?First,wearemadeholylikeGodthroughtheWord.InhishighpriestlyprayerJesusaskedtheFatherto“sanctify[allbelievers]bythetruth;yourwordistruth”(John17:17).OurgrowthinsanctificationcomesthroughtimespentintheScriptures,gettingtoknowGodintimately.

Second,dailygrowthcomesastheWordbuildsusup.“AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteous-ness,sothatthemanofGodmaybethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork”(2Tim. 3:16–17). As we are taught in the ways of God, rebuked when we goastray,correctedtogobacktotherightpath,andtrainedinrighteousliving,wegrowinthenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord.

Third,wegrowasourmindsaretransformedfromthinkingtheworld’swaytothinkingGod’sthoughtsafterhim.Paulwrote,“Donotconformanylongertothe


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patternofthisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind.ThenyouwillbeabletotestandapprovewhatGod’swillis—hisgood,pleasing,andperfectwill”(rom.12:2).Again,thiscomesonlythroughScripture,God’srevelationofhisperfectwillforus.

Fourth, through thepromisesof theWordwebecomemore likeGod.Peterwrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godli-ness throughour knowledgeof himwhocalledusbyhisowngloryandgood-ness.Throughthesehehasgivenushisverygreatandpreciouspromises,sothatthroughthemyoumayparticipateinthedivinenatureandescapethecorruptionintheworldcausedbyevildesires”(2Peter1:3–4).WecanonlyknowGodandappropriatehispromisesthroughtheWord.

Fifth,wegrowthroughthehelpgivenusbyourChristianleaders,whoteachustheWord.PaulsaidthatGodgivesusgiftedleaders“toprepareGod’speopleforworksofservice,sothatthebodyofChristmaybebuiltupuntilweallreachunityinthefaithandintheknowledgeoftheSonofGodandbecomemature,attainingtothewholemeasureofthefullnessofChrist”(Eph.4:12–13).

Finally,webecomelikeJesusaswespendtimecontemplatinghim.Paulwrote,“We,whowithunveiledfacesallreflect[orcontemplate]theLord’sglory,arebeingtransformed into his likenesswith ever-increasingglory,which comes from theLord,whoistheSpirit”(2Cor.3:18).Thischangeisgradual;aswekeeponcon-templatingJesusChristinhisWord,wegrowtobemoreandmorelikehim.Itisnotafive-secondglimpseofJesusthatchangesus,butaconstantcontemplationofhimoveraperiodoftime.

Themoreyouarewithaperson,themoreyoubecomelikehim.Haveyoueverseenacouplehappilymarriedfor50years?Theyaresomuchalikebynow!Theylikethesamethings,eatthesamethings,andsometimesevenstartlookingalike.TheultimategoalofthequiettimeisforustogrowtobejustlikeJesusChrist.

Because We gain Tremendous Benefits from it

Thefinalreasonweshouldhavedailyquiettimeisthetremendousresultsitbringstoourlives.GodhaspromisedmanythingstothosewhotakethetimetogettoknowhimthroughtheWord.Whataretheresultsofhavingadailyquiettime?

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• Joy(Pss.16:11;119:47,97,162;Jer.15:16)—ThemostjoyfulChristiansarethosewhomeetwithGoddaily.

• Strength(Isa.40:29–31)—AswemeetwiththeLorddaily,wegetourspiritualbatteriesrechargedandgaintheperspectiveofaneagle,seeingthingsastheyreallyare.

• Peace.(Ps.119:165;Isa.26:3;48:18;rom.8:6)—WegainpeaceofheartonlywhenwehavetheassurancethatGodisincontrolofallthings.ThisassurancecomesonlythroughhisWord.

• Stability.(Pss.16:8–9;46:1–3;55:22;57:7)—WhenwehavearegulartimeofBiblereading,prayer,andworship,ourlivesbecomestable;thequiettimeeliminatesthe“spiritualrollercoaster”typeofliving.

• Success (Josh.1:8)—TheonlypromiseofsuccessintheBibleiscon-nectedtotheconditionofdailymeditationontheWordofGod.

• Answered. prayer (John 15:7)—As we “remain” in Christ—that is,spendingqualitytimewithhimdaily—wecanclaimthispromiseandbeassuredthatourprayerswillbeanswered.

• Others.will.notice.the.difference.in.our.lives(Acts4:13)—PeoplewillknowthatwehavebeenwithJesus;itisgoingtoshowinourlives.AndbeingwithJesusiswhatwillgiveconfidenceandboldnesstousinwitnessingabouthimtothosewhodonotknowhim.

hoW to have a meaningful time With goDIfweareconvincedthatweneedaquiettime,howdowegoabouthavingone?Wemaybecomemotivatedtodoit,butmaynotknowhow.Weneedtoconsiderfouressentialelementsofagoodquiettime:

• Startwiththeproperattitudes. • Chooseaspecialplace.• Selectaspecifictime. • Followasimpleplan.

start with the Proper attitudes

InGod’seyes,whywedosomethingisfarmoreimportantthanwhatwedo.OnoneoccasionGodtoldSamuel,“TheLOrDdoesnotlookatthethingsmanlooks


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at.Manlooksattheoutwardappearance,buttheLOrDlooksattheheart”(1Sam.16:7).Itisquitepossibletodotherightthingbutwiththewrongattitude.ThiswasAmaziah’sproblem,for“hedidwhatwasright intheeyesoftheLOrD,butnotwholeheartedly”(2Chron.25:2).

Whenyoucome tomeetwithGod in thequiet time,youshouldhave theseproperattitudes:

1.Expectancy .ComebeforeGodwithanticipationandeagerness.Expect tohaveagood timeof fellowshipwithhimand receiveablessing fromyour timetogether.ThisiswhatDavidexpected:“OGod,youaremyGod,earnestlyIseekyou”(Ps.63:1;seePs.42:1):

2.Reverence .Don’trushintoGod’spresence,butprepareyourheartbybeingstillbeforehimandlettingthequietnessclearawaythethoughtsoftheworld.TheprophetHabakkuktellsus,“TheLOrDis inHisholytemple; letall theearthbesilentbeforehim”(Hab.2:20;seePs.89:7).ComingintothepresenceofGodisnotlikegoingtoafootballgameorsomeotherformofentertainment.

3.Alertness .Getwideawakefirst.rememberthatyouaremeetingwiththeCreator,theMakerofheavenandearth,theredeemerofmankind.Bethoroughlyrestedandalert.Thebestpreparationforaquiettimeinthemorningbeginsthenightbefore.GettobedearlysoyouwillbeingoodshapetomeetGodinthemorn-ing,forhedeservesyourfullattention.

4.Willingness.to.obey .Thisattitude iscrucial:youdon’tcometoyourquiettimetochoosewhatyouwillorwon’tdo,butwiththepurposeofdoinganythingandeverything thatGodwantsyou todo.Jesussaid,“Ifanyonechooses todoGod’swill,hewillfindoutwhethermyteachingcomesfromGodorwhetherIspeakonmyown”(John7:17).SocometomeettheLordhavingalreadychosentodohiswillnomatterwhat.

select a specific Time

Thespecifictimehastodowithwhenyoushouldhaveyourquiettimeandhow.longitshouldbe.Thegeneralruleisthis:Thebesttimeiswhenyouareatyourbest.GiveGodthebestpartofyourday—whenyouarethefreshestandmost

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alert.Don’ttrytoserveGodwithyourleftovertime.rememberalsothatyourbesttimemaybedifferentfromsomeoneelse’s.

Formostofus,however,earlyinthemorningseemstobethebesttime.ItwasJesus’ownpracticetoriseearlytoprayandmeetwiththeFather.“Veryearlyinthemorning,whileitwasstilldark,Jesusgotup,leftthehouseandwentofftoasolitaryplace,whereheprayed”(Mark1:35).

IntheBiblemanygodlymenandwomenroseearlytomeetwithGod.Someofthesewere

• Abraham—Genesis19:27• Job—Job1:5• Jacob—Genesis28:18• Moses—Exodus34:4• HannahandElkanah—1Samuel1:19• David—Psalms5:3;57:7–8

(SeealsoPsalms90:14;119:147;143:8;Isaiah26:9;Ezekiel12:8.)ThroughoutchurchhistorymanyChristianshavebeenusedmostbyGodwhen

theymetwithhimearly in themorning.PioneermissionaryHudsonTaylorsaid,“Youdon’ttuneuptheinstrumentsaftertheconcertisover.That’sstupid.It’slogi-caltotunethemupbeforeyoustart.”

ThegreatrevivalamongBritishcollegestudentsinthelate19thcenturybeganwiththesehistoricwords:“remembertheMorningWatch!”SoweneedtotuneourselvesupatthestartofeachdayasweremembertheMorningWatch.

IfJesusisreallyinfirstplaceinourlives,weoughttogivehimthefirstpartofourday.Wearetoseekhiskingdomfirst(seeMatt.6:33).Doctorstellusthatthemostimportantmealofthedayisbreakfast.Itoftendeterminesourenergylevels,alertness,andevenmoodsfortheday.Likewise,weneeda“spiritualbreakfast”tostartourdayoffright.

Finally,inthemorningourmindsareunclutteredfromtheday’sactivities.Ourthoughtsarefresh,wearerested,tensionshavenotyetcomeonus,andit’susu-allythequietesttime.Onemothersetsheralarmclockfor4a.m.,hasherquiettime,goesbacktobed,andthenriseswheneveryoneelseinthehouseholdgets


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up.Herexplanationisthatwithkidsaroundthehouseallday,earlymorningistheonlytimewhenitisquietandshecanbealonewithGod.Itworksforher;youneedtoselectatimethatwillworkforyou.

Youmightevenconsiderhavingtwoquiettimes(morningandnight).DawsonTrotmanusedtohavecodelettersforhisnightlyquiettime:H.W.L.W.Wheneverhewaswithagroupofpeopleatnightorhomewithhiswifeandtheconversationseemedtobeending,hewouldsay,“Allright,H.W.L.W.,”afterwhichapassageofScripturewouldbequotedwithoutcommentandallwouldgotosleep.H.W.L.W.stoodfor“HisWordtheLastWord,”andhepracticedthatthroughtheyearsasawayofendingadaywithone’sthoughtsfixedontheLord(BettyLeeSkinner,Daws,NavPress,p.103).

StephenOlford,awell-knownpastorinNewYorkformanyyears,said,“IwanttohearthevoiceofGodbeforeIhearanyoneelse’sinthemorning,andhisisthelastvoiceIwanttohearatnight.”

DavidandDanielevenmetwiththeLordthreetimeseachday(seePs.55:17;Dan.6:10).

Whatevertimeyouset,beconsistentinit.Scheduleitonyourcalendar;makeanappointmentwithGodasyouwouldwithanyoneelse.MakeadatewithJesus!Thenlookforwardtoitanddon’tstandhimup.Astood-updateisnotapleasantexperienceforus,andJesusdoesnotliketobestoodupeither.Somakeadatewithhimandkeepitatallcosts.

Thequestionisoftenasked,“HowmuchtimeshouldIspendwiththeLordinthemorning?”ThisisamattertobedecidedbetweenyouandtheLord.Ifyouhaveneverhadaconsistentquiettimebefore,youmaywanttostartwithsevenminutes(robertD.Foster,Seven.Minutes.with.God,NavPress)andletitgrownaturally.Youshouldaimeventuallytospendnotlessthan15minutesadaywithGod.Outofthe168hoursweallhaveinaweek,1hour45minutesseemsterriblysmallwhenyouconsiderthatyouwerecreatedtohavefellowshipwithGod.Herearesomeadditionalguidelines:

• Don’t. try. for.a. two-hour.quiet. time.at. first .You’llonlygetdiscouraged.Youmustgrowinthisrelationshipasyoudoinanyother.Sobeginwitha

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consistentsevenminutesandletitgrow;it’sbettertobeconsistentwithashorttimethantomeetforanhoureveryotherweek.

• Don’t.watch.the.clock .Clock-watchingcanruinyourquiettimefasterthanalmostanythingelse.Decidewhatyoucando in theWordandprayerduringthetimeyouhaveselected;thendoit.Sometimesitwilltakemoretimethanyouhavesetaside,andsometimesless.Butdon’tkeeplookingatyourwatch.

• Emphasize. quality,. not. quantity . There is nothing super-spiritual abouthavingatwo-hourquiettime.It’swhatyoudoduringyourtime—whetherit’s15minutesortwohoursorsomethinginbetween—that’simportant.AimforaqualityrelationshipwiththeLord.

choose a special Place

Thelocation—wherewehaveourquiettimes—isalsoimportant.TheBibleindi-cates that Abraham had a regular place where he met with God (Gen. 19:27).Jesus had a custom of praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount ofOlives.“Jesuswentoutas.usualtotheMountofOlives,andhisdisciplesfollowedhim” (Luke22:39).Yourplaceought tobeasecluded.place. This isa locationwhereyoucanbealone,whereit’squiet,andwhereyouwillnotbedisturbedorinterrupted.Intoday’snoisyWesternworld,thismaytakesomeingenuity,butitisnecessary.Itoughttobeaplace...

• whereyoucanprayaloudwithoutdisturbingothers.• whereyouhavegoodlightingforreading(adesk,perhaps).• whereyouarecomfortable.(Warning :Donothaveyourquiettimeinbed.

That’stoocomfortable!)

Yourplaceoughttobea.special.place .WhereveryoudecidetomeetwiththeLord,makeitaspecialplaceforyouandhim.Asthedaysgoby,thatplacewillcometomeana lot toyoubecauseof thewonderful timesyouhavetherewithJesusChrist.

Yourplaceoughttobea.sacred.place .ThisiswhereyoumeetwiththelivingGod.WhereyoumeettheLordcanbejustasholyastheplacewhereAbrahammethim.Youdon’thavetobeinachurchbuilding.Peoplehavehadquiettimesintheir


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carparkedinaquietplace,inanemptyclosetathome,intheirbackyard,andeveninabaseballdugout.Eachoftheseplacesbecamesacredtothem.

follow a simple Plan

Someonehassaid,“Ifyouaimatnothing,youaresuretohitit!”Tohaveamean-ingfulquiettime,youwillneedaplanorsomekindofgeneraloutlinetofollow.Themainruleisthis:Keepyourplansimple.Don’t let itdetractfromyourtimewithChrist.Foster’sSeven.Minutes.with.Godsuggestsasimpleplanforbeginners.

Thefollowingsix-pointplanisworkableforaquiettimeofanyduration.Youwillneedthefollowingthreeitems:

• A.Bible.—.acontemporarytranslation(notaparaphrase)withgoodprint,preferablywithoutnotes.

• A.notebook.—.forwritingdownwhattheLordshowsyouandformakingaprayerlist.

• A.hymnbook.—.incaseyousometimeswanttosinginyourpraisetime(seeCol.3:16).

The suggested plan may be remembered through the following words, allbeginningwiththesameletter:relax,.request,.read,.reflect.and.remember,.record,.request .

1.Wait.on.God.(relax) .Bestillforaminute;don’tcomerunningintoGod’spres-enceandstarttalkingimmediately.FollowGod’sadmonition:“Bestill,andknowthatIamGod”(Ps.46:10;seealsoIsa.30:15;40:31).Bequietforashortwhiletoputyourselfintoareverentmood.

2.Pray.briefly.(request) .Thisisnotyourprayertime,butashortopeningprayertoaskGodtocleanseyourheartandguideyouintothetimetogether.TwogoodpassagesofScripturetomemorizeare

• “Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart;testmeandknowmyanxiousthoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting”(Ps.139:23–24;see1John1:9).

• “OpenmyeyesthatImayseewonderfulthingsinyourlaw[theWord]”(Ps.119:18;seeJohn16:13).

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YoumustbeintunewiththeAuthoroftheBookbeforeyoucanunderstandtheBook.

3.Read.a.section.of.the.Scripture.(read) .ThisiswhereyourconversationwithGodbegins.HespeakstoyouthroughhisWord,andyouspeakwithhiminprayer.readyourBible...

• slowly .Don’tbeinahurry;don’ttrytoreadtoolargeanamount;don’tracethroughit.

• repeatedly .readapassageoverandoveruntilyoustarttopictureitinyour mind. The reason some people don’t get more out of their BiblereadingisthattheydonotreadtheScripturesrepeatedly.

• without.stopping .Don’tstopinthemiddleofasentencetogooffonatangentanddoadoctrinalstudy.Justreadthatsectionforthepurejoyofit,allowingGodtospeaktoyou.rememberthatyourgoalhereisnottogaininformation,buttofeedontheWordandgettoknowChristbetter.

• aloud.but.quietly .readingScripturealoudwillimproveyourconcentrationifyouhavethatproblem.Itwillalsohelpyouunderstandwhatyouarereadingbetterbecauseyouwillbebothseeingandhearingthewords.readsoftlyenough,however,thatyoudon’tdisturbanyone.

• systematically .readthroughonebookatatimeinorderlyfashion.Donotusethe“randomdip”method—apassagehere,achapterthere,whatyoulikehere,aninterestingportionthere.YouwillunderstandtheBiblebetterifyoureaditasitwaswritten—abookorletteratatime.

• to.get.a.sweep.of.a.book .Onsomeoccasionsyoumaywanttosurveyawholebook.Inthatcaseyouwillreaditquicklytogetasweepofthetotalrevelation.Thenyouneednotreaditslowlyorrepeatedly.

4.Meditate.and.memorize.(reflect.and.remember) .TohavetheScripturesspeakto you meaningfully, you should meditate on what you are reading and memo-rizeversesthatparticularlyspeaktoyou.Meditationis“seriouslycontemplatingathoughtoverandoverinyourmind”(seechapter1forabriefdiscussionofthis).

5.Write.down.what.God.has.shown.you. (record) .WhenGodspeaks to youthroughhisWord, recordwhatyouhavediscovered.Writing itdownwillenable


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youbothtorememberwhatGodrevealedtoyouandtocheckuponyourbiblicaldiscoveries.recordingwhatGodhasshownyouisonewayofapplyingwhatyouseeintheScripturethatpertainstoyourlife(seetheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudyinchapter1).

6.Have.your.time.of.prayer.(request) .AfterGodhasspokentoyouthroughhisWord,speaktohiminprayer.ThisisyourpartoftheconversationwiththeLord.Tohelpyourememberthepartsofprayer,thinkoftheacrosticP-R-A-Y:p—Praise.the.Lord .BeginyourtimeofprayerbypraisingGodforwhoheis

and what he has done.The former isadoration, the latter thanksgiv-ing .Adorationisrealworship;itisgivingGodtherecognitionhealonedeserves.SopraiseGodforhisgreatness,power,majesty,strength,andotherattributes.ExamplesinScriptureofpurepraisemaybefoundinPsalm 145 and revelation 4–5.You can worship God in this way byreadingthePsalms(particularlyPss.146–50),readinggreathymnsofworship,orconsideringthenamesofGod(see1Chron.16:25–29;Pss.50:23;67:3;Heb.13:5).Davidgivesusabeautifulexampleofaprayerofadoration1Chronicles29:10–13.

WealsopraisetheLordforwhathehasdoneforus,particularlyinsalvationanddailyprovision.Thisisdevelopingtheprayerofthanksgiv-ing.Duringanyquiettime,thinkofatleast20thingsyoucanthankGodforthatday.(readPsalm100:4;Philippians4:5;1Thessalonians5:18.)

r—Repent.of.your.sins .Thisistheprayerofconfession .AfterseeingGodinhisholiness(seeIsa.6:5),werecognizeourownsinfulness.Don’tjusttellGodaboutthesinsyouhavecommitted,butaskhimtohelpyouturnawayfromthem.Thisisrepentance.Godalreadyknowsyoursins;hejustwantsyoutoadmitthemandturnawayfromthem.(readPsalms32;51;Proverbs28:9,13;1John1:9.)

a—Ask.for.yourself.and.others .Thesearetheprayersofpetitionandinterces-sion .Beginwithyourownpersonalrequests(petition).ThroughouttheBibleGodurgesustoaskforthingsforourselvesinprayer.Thesemaybephysicalneedssuchasfood,clothing,andshelter;spiritualneeds;orhelpincopingwiththedifficultproblemsoflife.Godlovesus,wantsto

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blessus,andwantstogiveuswhatweneed(seeMatt.7:7–9;Mark11:22–24;John14:13–14;Heb.4:16).Notonlyarewetoprayforourneeds,butGodisalsopleasedtogiveanswerstoourdesiresthatareinhiswill(seePss.37:4;84:11;145:19;Phil.4:6).

Itisimportanttobespecificinyourpraying,andoneofthewaystodothiseffectivelyistosetupaprayerlist.Justtakeasheetofpaper,ruleofffourcolumns,andfillthemin.Asyoubegintofillpageafterpageofansweredprayer,yourfaithwillgrowgreateranddeeper.

Askforothers(intercession).TheBiblecallsonChristianstointer-cedeforothers—toprayoneforanother.Soprayforyourfamily,rela-tives,andfriends;prayforyourpastor,churchworkers,missionaries,andothers involved inkingdomwork;pray foryour leaders, teachers,andemployersoremployees;prayforpeopletowhomyouarewitnessing;prayforthosewhomyoudonotlikeorthosewhodonotlikeyou—andwatchwhathappens!(Notethesepassages:1Samuel12:23;Job42:10;romans15:30;Ephesians1:15–16.)

Youmightwanttodivideupthedaysoftheweekinyournotebookandprayfordifferentpeopleondifferentdays.Getaworldmapandpray“aroundtheworld”formissionariesaccordingtotheirlocation.

y—Yield.yourself.to.God’s.will .Yourprayertimeshouldendwithatimeofper-sonalrecommitmenttotheLord.reaffirmthelordshipofJesusChristinyourlifeandpledgeyoursubmissionandobedienceforthatdaytohim.(Seeromans12:12;14:8–9.)

some closing Thoughts

• Vary.your.plan .Fromtimetotimechangeyourmethods.Don’tfallintothetrapofperformingamethodinsteadofgettingtoknowChrist.

• Spend.a.whole.quiet.time.in.thanksgiving .Sometimeswhenprayerseemshardandheavy,spendyour time just thankingGod forwhohe isandwhathehasdone.Psalm145 isagoodexampleof that: thepsalmistaskednothingforhimself.OrjustsingsomesongsofpraisetoGod.


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• Spend.a.whole.quiet.time.in.Scripture.memory.AttimesyoumaywanttospendyourwholequiettimememorizingScriptureandlettingGodspeaktoyouinthisspecialandchallengingway.

• Remember.your.main.purpose:.to.get.to.know.Christ .Don’tletyourquiettimebecomea legalisticexercise in“doingyourduty.”rememberthatyouaretheretomeetJesusChristandgettoknowhim.

hoW to Deal With common ProBlems in the Quiet time

Assoonasyoustartaquiettimeorevencommityourselftohavingoneregularly,youwillencounterproblemsanddifficulties.Why?BecauseSatanwill fightyoutoothandnailtokeepyoufromyourdailymeetingwiththeLord.HehatesnothingmorethanaChristiangettingdowntobusinesswithGod,becauseheknowsthatsuchbelieversaredangeroustohiskingdomofdarkness.Wewanttodealwithfourofthemostcommonproblems:

• Theproblemofdiscipline• Theproblemofdryspells• Theproblemofconcentration• Theproblemofdiscouragement

The Problem of Discipline

Perhapsoneofthegreatestandmostcommonproblemsyouwillfaceisthedisci-plineofgettingoutofbedinthemorningtohavethequiettime.Itisthe“BattleoftheBlankets,”whichfacesyouthemomentyouwakeup,andithastodowiththequestion,“AmIgoingtogetoutofbedtohaveaquiettime?”

Thedevilwillexaggeratetoyouabouthowtiredyouare,andwhenheandthefleshteamup,itreallytakesworktogetoutofbed.Herearesometipsonover-comingthisproblem.

1.Go.to.bed.on.time .Inordertogetupearly,ithelpstogotobedearly(seePs.127:2).It’snotgoodtoburnthecandleatbothends.ManyChristiansliketostay

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uplate,oftenwatchingTV,andthereforehaveahardtimegettingupinthemorn-ing.DawsonTrotmanknewthisandhadasetbedtime.Evenifhehadcompanyinhishome,hewouldexcusehimselfandgotobed,becausehistopprioritywasmeetingwithChristearlyinthemorning.

2.Get.up.immediately.upon.waking .Thebattleisusuallywonorlostinthefirstfewseconds.Ifyouwaittothinkaboutit,you’vealreadylost.OnefamousChristianwasasked,“Doyouprayaboutgettinguptohaveyourquiettime?”

“No,”heanswered.“Ijustgetup!”Whenyouwakeupinthemorning,itisnotthetimetoprayaboutdecidingto

getup.Ifyoudoprayaboutit,dosothenightbefore,andpraythatyouwillhavethewillpowertogetup.

3.Be.aware.of.quiet-time.“robbers .”Bealertforthingsthatwillkeepyoufromhavingaquiettime.Oftheserobbers,90percentwillbefoundthenightbefore,andofthese,TVisthenumberoneculprit.Anotherrobberistheattitudethatthequiettimeis“nicebutnotnecessary.”Youmustmakeitapriorityinordertothwartthethieves.

4.Go.to.bed.with.thoughts.of.Scripture .Gotosleepwiththeattitudeof“seeyouinthemorning,Lord.”AskGodtowakeyouupwithyourfirstthoughtsonhim.ThebestwaytodothatistogotosleepwithaverseofScriptureonyourmind.JimDowning,inhisbookMeditation:.The.Bible.Tells.You.How(NavPress),hassomeexcellentsuggestionsonhowthatcanbedonetoenableyouto“meditatedayandnight”(seeJosh.1:8;Ps.1:2).

The Problem of Dry spells

Another commonproblemof thosewhohave just startedhavingquiet times isthattheydon’tseemtogetmuchoutofthem.Ithasbecomethe“BattleoftheBlahs.”Thisdifficultymaybeovercomebyrealizingthatyoucanneverjudgeyourquiettimebyyouremotions.Emotionsmaylie;feelingsmaycomeandgo.Soyoushouldn’tdependonyourfeelings.Ifyouonlyhaveaquiettimewhenyou“feel”likeit,thedevilwillmakesureyouneverfeellikeit.

Yes,somedayswillseemratherbland.Onotherdaysyouwillthinkthatheavenhasopenedupandyou’repartoftheinnumerableangelichost,singingpraisestoGod.Sodon’texpecttohaveagreatandglorious“experience”everymorning.As


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BillieHankssays,“It’shardtogetspiritualgoosebumpsinthemorning.”Longperiodsofdrynessinyourquiettime,however,couldbecausedbyone

ofthefollowingproblems:1.Disobedience .Thisisunconfessedsininyourlife.Godwon’tshowyouany-

thingnewuntilyoudowhathehasalreadyshownyou.IfGodshowedyousome-thinginhisWordthreemonthsagoandyouarestillfightingit,hewon’tshowyouthenextstepuntilyou’vedealtwiththefirstone.

2.Your.physical.condition .Perhapsyouhaven’tbeengettingenoughrest.Ifyoucometoyourquiettimetiredandhalfasleep,youwon’tgetmuchoutofit.Infact,thereisadirectrelationshipbetweenthephysicalandthespiritual.Sometimesthemostspiritualthingyoucandoisgotobedearliereachnight.

3. Trying. to. do. too. much. in. a. hurry . The great English Methodist preacherSamuelChadwickoncesaid,“Hurryisthedeathofprayer.”Thesameistruewithyourquiettime.rushingthroughitwithyoureyeontheclockwillruinyourtimewiththeLord.Goforqualityandcontent,notformileage!

4.Being.in.a.rut .Whenyourquiettimebecomesaritualinsteadofarelation-ship,it’sdead.WhenitisalegalisticexerciseinsteadofagenuineanticipationofmeetingthelivingGod,it’singravedanger.Thisiswhenyoustartmeetingahabit,notaPerson.Sobe flexible;changeyourplansand routine,perhapsevenyourlocation.Buthavevarietyandkeepitinteresting—toyouandtotheLord.

5.Not.sharing.your.insights.with.others .Itisafactofnaturethatapondthatonlyreceiveswaterbuthasnooutletwillstagnate.ThesameistrueofChristianswhoarealwaysreceivingandnevergiving.Indeed,itisadivineparadoxthatwhenwegiveout,wegetmoreinreturn.Startsharingyourquiet-timeinsightswithoth-ersandseewhathappens.

Ifafterexaminingyourlifeandprocedures,youarestillnotgettinganythingoutofyourquiettime,tellGodaboutit.Justbehonestandadmitittohim.rememberthatittakestimetodeveloparelationshipwithGodjustasitdoeswiththepeoplearoundus.Youmustseehiminallkindsofcircumstancesandgettoknowhimwell.Whateveryoudo,don’tgiveup.ListentoPaul’sadviceinstead:“Letusnotbecomewearyindoinggood,foratthepropertimewewillreapaharvestifwedonotgiveup”(Gal.6:9).

252


The Problem of concentration

Onceyouhavewon the twopreviousbattles, thedevilwillattackyoubysend-ingmanydistractionsalongtheway.Youwillnowhavetofightthe“BattleoftheBrain,”foryourmindwilltrytowanderinalldirectionsduringthequiettime.Youwillbebotheredbynoises,lackofsleep,poorlighting,tensionswithothers,worry,andamillionotherthingsthatyou“justcan’tforget.”Herearesomesuggestionsforconqueringthisproblem:

• Besureyouarethoroughlyawake.Takeashower,splashcoldwateronyourface,ordosomeexercises.

• readandprayaloud.• Walkwhilepraying.Youwillnotfallasleepstandingup,somovearound.• Keepanotebookhandy.Whenyouareremindedofsomethingelse,write

itdownandcomebacktoitafteryourquiettime.Thenyouwon’thavetoworryaboutforgettingit.

The Problem of Discouragement

By far your greatest problem will be your struggle to stick with yourmorningquiet time.Nothing ismoredifficult tomaintain regularly, because theworld,theflesh,andthedevilwillworktogethertokeepyoufromit.Whenpres-suresmountandyoufindthatyouhavetoomanythingstodo,whatareyouusuallytemptedtodropfirst?Themostimportantthing—yourquiettime.

Satan’smostviciousattackswillcomeinconnectionwithbeingdiligentinyourquiettime.HeknowsthatifhecankeepyououtoftheWord,hehasdefeatedyou.IfhecankeepyoufromspendingqualitytimewiththeLordatthestartofaday,thenhe’swonthebattle,becauseheknowsthathewillhavenooppositionfromyou.

Droppingyourquiettimeisusuallythefirststepinspiritualbacksliding.ManylukewarmChristianshavesaid,“Itallstartedwhen Ibeganneglectingmyquiettime.”That’swhyChriststandsattheirdoorandknocks,askingfortimetogether(seerev.3:20).

Inministeringtoothers,youcannevertakeanotherpersonfartherspirituallythanyouhavegoneyourself.IfyouhavenoinputfromtheLordeachday,youwillhavenothingtosharewithothersandwillnotbeabletohelpothersgrow.


253

How may this serious problem be overcome? Here are some practicalsuggestions:

1.Consider.making.a. covenant.with.God .Makea seriouspactwithGod tospendsometimewithhimduringtheday.First,however,considertheseriousnessofmakingsuchavow.reviewSolomon’swarning:“WhenyoumakeavowtoGod,donotdelayinfulfillingit.Hehasnopleasureinfools;fulfillyourvow.Itisbetternottovowthantomakeavowandnotfulfillit”(Eccl.5:4–5).Covenanttohaveaquiettime,notbecauseothersaredoingitandnotasaduty,butbecauseyouknowthatJesusChristwantstomeetwithyou.

2.Put. it. into.your.weekly.schedule . Inadvance,blockoutasettimetomeeteachdaywithGodinthesamewayyouwouldplanforadoctor’sappointmentorabusinesslunch.

3.Expect.and.be.prepared.for.the.devil’s.excuses.and.attacks .Tobeforewarnedistobearmed.realizethatthedevilwilltrytoderailyoufromyourtimewiththeLordandwillattackyouonallfronts.SofollowtheBoyScoutmottoand“BePrepared!”SouthernBaptistpreacherrobertG.Leeusedtosay,“Ifyouwakeupinthemorninganddon’tmeetthedevilfaceon,itjustmeansyou’reheadedinthesamedirection!”

4.Leave.your.Bible.open.the.night.before.at.the.passage.you.intend.to.read.in.the.morning .Whenyougotobed,openyourBibletotheScripturesyouintendtoreadinyourmorningquiettime.Thenwhenyouwakeupinthemorning,theopenedBiblewillserveasaremindertoyoutohaveyourquiettime.

conclusion

Whatifyoumissaday?Don’tworryaboutitifithappensoccasionally.Don’tgoonaguilttrip.“ThereisnownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus”(rom.8:1).Don’tgetlegalistic,becausemissingonedaydoesnotmakeitaflop.Don’tgiveup.Ifyoumissameal,itdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldgiveupeatingbecauseyou’reinconsistent.Yousimplyeatalittlemoreatthenextmealandgoonfromthere.Thesameprincipleholdstrueforyourquiettime.

Psychologiststellusthatitusuallytakesusthreeweekstogetfamiliarwithsomenewtaskorhabit;ittakesanotherthreeweeksbeforeitbecomesahabit.

254


Thereasonwhymanypeoplearenotsuccessfulintheirquiettimesisthattheyhavenevermade itpast thatsix-weekbarrier.Foryourquiet time tobecomeahabit,youmusthavehadonedailyforatleastsixweeks.

WilliamJameshadafamousformulafordevelopingahabit(Selected.Papers.on.Philosophy,E.P.Dutton,pp.60–62).

1.Make.a.strong.resolution.(vow) .Youmustalwaysstartwithastrong,decidedinitiative.Ifyoubeginhalfheartedly,you’llnevermakeit.Makeapublicdeclarationbytellingothersaboutyourdecision.

2.Never.allow.an.exception.to.occur.until.the.new.habit.is.securely.rooted.in.your.life .Ahabitislikeaballoftwine:everytimeyoudropit,manystrandsunwind.Soneverallowthe“justthisonce”tooccur.Theactofyieldingweakensthewillandstrengthensthelackofself-control.

3.Seize.every.opportunity.and.inclination.to.practice.your.new.habit .Wheneveryougettheslightesturgetopracticeyournewhabit,doitrightthen.Don’twait,butuseeveryopportunitytoreinforceyourhabit.Itdoesnothurttooverdoanewhabitwhenyouarefirststarting.

TothesesuggestionsIwouldaddonemore:4.Rely.on.the.power.of.God .When it isallsaidanddone,youmustrealize

thatyouareinaspiritualbattleandyoucanonlysucceedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.SopraythatGodwillstrengthenyouanddependonhimtohelpyoudevelopthishabitforhisglory.

If you are convinced that this is what you need to do, would you pray thefollowing?

a Prayer of commitment

“Lord,Icommitmyselftospendingadefinitetimewithyoueveryday,nomatterwhatthecost.Iamdependingonyourstrengthtohelpmebeconsistent.”

__________________________________ (signed)

255

Appendix B

geneRaL QUesTiOns fOR a BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY

Hereisalistof70questionsyoucanuseinStepFiveoftheBiographicalMethodofBibleStudy(seechap.5).Youshouldn’ttrytouseeveryquestioninasinglestudy.Dependingonthedepthofyourstudyandthetimeyouhave,selectthequestionsyouwouldmostliketohaveanswered.Thequestionsaredividedintosevenmajorcategories foreasieruse.Asyouthinkofotherquestions,addthemto this list.(Forconvenience,thequestionsusemasculinepronouns,sosubstitutefemininepronounsasneeded.)

rePutation

1. Whowrotewhatweknowaboutthisperson? 2. Whatdidpeoplesayabouthim?Whatdidhisfriendssayabouthim? 3. Whatdidhisenemiessayabouthim? 4. Whatdidhisfamily(wife,children,brothers,sisters,parents)sayabout

him? 5. WhatdidGodsayabouthim? 6. WhydoyouthinkGodallowedthispersontobementionedintheBible?

tests of character

7. Whatwerehisaimsandmotives? 8. Whatwashelikeinhishome?

256


9. Howdidherespondtofailure?Didhegetdiscouragedeasily? 10. Howdidherespondtoadversity?Didhehandlecriticismwell? 11. Howdidherespondtosuccess?Didhegetproudwhenpraised? 12. Howdidherespondtothetrivialandmundanethingsinlife?Washefaith-

fulinthelittlethings? 13. HowquicklydidhepraiseGodforthegoodorbadthingsthathappenedto

him? 14. HowquicklydidheobeyGodwhentoldtodosomething? 15. HowquicklydidhesubmittoGod-ordainedauthority? 16. WhatwashelikewhenhewasalonewithGod?

BackgrounD

17. Whatcanyoudiscoverabouthisfamilyandancestry? 18. Whatdoeshisnamemean?Whywashegiventhatname?Wasitever

changed? 19. Whatwashishome-lifelike?Howwasheraised?Wherewasheraised? 20. Whatwerethecharacteristicsofhisparents?Howdidtheyinfluencehim? 21. Wasthereanythingspecialabouthisbirth? 22. Wheredidhelive?Whatwashiseverydaylifelike? 23. Washeexposedtoothercultures?Didtheyaffecthiminanyway? 24. Whatwastheconditionofhiscountrypoliticallyandspirituallyduringhis

lifetime? 25. Whatkindoftrainingdidhehave?Didhehaveanyschooling? 26. Whatwashisoccupation? 27. Howlongdidhelive?Wheredidhedie?Howdidhedie?

significant events

28. Wasthereanygreatcrisisinhislife?Howdidhehandleit? 29. Whatarethegreataccomplishmentsforwhichheisremembered? 30. Didheexperienceadivine“call”?Howdidherespondtoit?

Appendix.B:.General.Questions.for.a.Biographical.Study

257

31. Whatcrucialdecisionsdidhehavetomake?Howdidtheyaffecthim?Others?

32. Didanyparticularproblemkeeprecurringinhislife? 33. Wheredidhesucceed?Wheredidhefail?Why? 34. Howdidtheenvironmentandcircumstancesaffecthim? 35. WhatpartdidheplayinthehistoryofGod’splan? 36. DidhebelieveinthesovereigntyofGod?(God’scontroloverallevents)

relationshiPs

37. Howdidhegetalongwithotherpeople?Washealoner?Washeateamperson?

38. Howdidhetreatotherpeople?Didheusethem,orservethem? 39. Whatwashiswifelike?Howdidsheinfluencehim? 40. Whatwerehischildrenlike?Howdidtheyinfluencehim? 41. Whowerehisclosecompanions?Whatweretheylike?Howdidtheyinflu-

encehim? 42. Whowerehisenemies?Whatweretheylike?Howdidtheyinfluencehim? 43. Whatinfluencedidhehaveonothers?Onhisnation?Onothernations? 44. Didhetakecareofhisfamily?Howdidhischildrenturnout? 45. DidhisfriendsandfamilyhelporhinderhiminservingtheLord? 46. Didhetrainanyonetotakehisplace?Didheleaveadisciple(a“Timothy”)

behind?

Personality

47. Whattypeofpersonwashe?Whatmadehimthewayhewas? 48. Washistemperamentcholeric,melancholic,sanguine,orphlegmatic? 49. Whatweretheoutstandingstrengthsinhischaracter?Whattraitsdidhe

have? 50. Didhislifeshowanydevelopmentofcharacterastimepassed?Wasthere

growthandprogressionthere?

258


51. Whatwerehisparticularfaultsandweaknesses? 52. Whatwerehisparticularsins?Whatstepsledtothosesins? 53. Inwhatareawashisgreatestbattle:lustoftheflesh,lustoftheeyes,or

prideoflife? 54. Whatweretheresultsofhissinsandweaknesses? 55. Didheevergetthevictoryoverhisparticularsinsandweaknesses? 56. Whatqualitiesmadehimasuccessorfailure? 57. WasheinanywayatypeofChrist?

sPiritual life

58. WhatpersonalencountersdidhehavewithGodthatarerecordedinScripture?

59. Whatwashispurposeinlife?DidhetrytobringglorytoGod? 60. Whatmessagedidhepreachandlive?Washislifeamessageforor

againstChrist/God? 61. Didheliveaseparatedlife,distinctfromworldlyways? 62. Whatdidhebelieve?WhatgreatlessonsdidGodteachhim? 63. WhydoyouthinkGoddealtwithhimthewayhedid? 64. WhatwashisattitudetowardtheWordofGod?DidheknowtheScriptures

existingatthattime? 65. Whatkindofprayerlifedidhehave?Didhehaveclosefellowshipwith

God? 66. Washeboldinsharinghistestimony?Washeacourageouswitnessin

timesofpersecution? 67. HowbigwashisfaithinGod?Howdidheshowit?DidGodgivehimany

specificpromises? 68. WasheagoodstewardofwhatGodhadgivenhim—time,wealth,talents? 69. WashefilledwiththeSpirit?Whatwerehisspiritualgifts?Didheuse

them? 70. WasheeagertodoGod’swill,willinglyandwithoutquestion?

25�

Appendix C

a LisT Of POsiTive anD negaTive cHaRacTeR QUaLiTies

Listedhereare85positivecharacteristicstolookforinapersonwhomyouarestudyingand114negativecharacteristicsorsins.Thislistwillbeusefulincomplet-ingStepSixoftheBiographicalMethodofBibleStudy(seechap.5).

Positive characteristics to look for in a Person

HonestyIntegrityDependabilityLoyaltyDedicationFaithfulnessTrustworthinessSincerityDiligenceOrderlinessrighteousnessFairnessObedienceCourteousnessrespectfulnessreverence

DeferenceGratefulnessThankfulnessWisdomDiscernmentSensitivityPerspectiveDiscreetnessCarefulnessCautiousnessDisciplineThriftinessGoodStewardshipresourcefulnessObserverIndustry

CreativityEnthusiasmPositivenessLovingnessKindnessPatienceSelf-denyingSelf-givingSacrificingCompassionateMeeknessSympathyGenerosityForgivenessGentlenessMercifulness

260


PeacemakingSubmissivenessAgreeablenessConsideratenessSelf-controlWholeheartednessDeterminateStablenessEnergyZealousnessEarnestnessBalanceModerateness

ChastenessPurenessCleanlinessModestyCheerfulnessOptimismConfidenceBoldnessCourageousnessManofFaithBraveryDurablenessHumbleness

CalmnessQuietnessIndependenceToleranceContentednessUncomplainingFlexiblenessUncompromisingAServantSenseofHumorCharacterizedbythe

Beatitudes

negative characteristics anD sins to look for in a BiograPhical stuDy

AliarUnfaithfulUnreliableLibelousSlandererGossiperBackbiterCompromisingFlattererLazyASluggardShallowHypocriticalCrafty/SlyDeceitful

DishonestUnfairInsultingCoarserude/GrossImpoliterebelliousABusybodyTyrannicalDisobedientUngratefulMurmurerShortsightedLukewarmHalfhearted

FoolishTalkativeIdolatrousCarelessForgetfulWastefulCruelInhumanSelfishMaliciousUnkindInsensitiveNegligentCallousPrejudiced

Appendix.C:.A.List.of.Positive.and.Negative.Character.Qualities

261

UnforgivingHarshUnsociableGrudgingAnnoyingIrritatingIndifferentApatheticIdleCowardlyACop-outImpulsiveHumorlessFickleDouble-mindedWaveringHeadstrongProudConceitedStubbornBoastfulSensualImmodest

GluttonousADrunkardreprobateImmoralUncleanAdulterousFornicatorCovetousGreedyStingyFearfulArrogantDogmaticVainJealousEnviousSarcasticScornfulBlasphemousBitterViolentComplainingProcrastinator

ArgumentativeDisrespectfulManipulativeBigotedWorldlyAWorrierrejoicesinEvilLustsforPowerSelf-righteousUndisciplinedApostateFearsMenPresumptuousProfaneLegalisticDoctrinallyOffFriendoftheWorldAngrywithoutCauseAshamedofChristADoubterIndependentSpiritLovesMen’sPraiseForgetsGod

262

Appendix D

a PaRTiaL LisT Of BiBLicaL PeOPLe

ThethreeliststhatfollowincludetheprimarymenoftheBible,thesecondarybutimportantmenoftheBible,andtheprominentwomenoftheBible.

major men in the BiBle

AbrahamDanielDavidElijahElishaEzekiel

EzraIsaiahIsaacJacobJeremiahJesus

John(Apostle)Joseph(O.T.)JoshuaMosesNehemiahPaul

PeterPharaohSamsonSamuelSaul(O.T.)Solomon

minor But imPortant men in the BiBle

AaronAbelAbimelechAbnerAbsalomAchanAdamAhabAhithophelAmos

AnaniasAndrewApollosApostles(any)AquilaAsaBalaamBarnabasBarzillaiCaiaphas

CalebEliEsauGehaziGideonHabakkukHaggaiHamanHerodHezekiah

HoseaJabezJamesJehoshaphatJeroboamJoabJobJohntheBaptistJonahJonathan

Appendix.D:.A.Partial.List.of.Biblical.People

263

JudasIscariotJudges(any)Kings(any)LabanLotLukeMarkMatthew

MelchizedekMephiboshethMordecaiNaamanNathanNoahPhilemonPhilip

PontiusPilateProphets(any)rehoboamShamgarSilasStephenTimothyTitus

TychicusUzziahZechariahZedekiahZephaniahZerubbabel

Prominent Women in the BiBle

AbigailAbishagAnnaBathshebaDeborahDelilahDinahDorcasElizabethEstherEuniceEveHagar

HannahJezebelJochebedLeahLydiaMarthaMary(Jesus’Mother)MaryMagdaleneMaryofBethanyMichalMiriamNaaman’sMaidNaomi

PriscillaQueenofShebarachelrahabrebekahruthSapphiraSarahTheShunammiteVashtiZipporah

Alsodonotforgetthenamelesswomenlistedas

• “_______________’swife,”suchasLot’swife,Potiphar’swife • “_______________’sdaughter,”suchasPharaoh’sdaughter • VariouswidowsandwomenencounteredbyJesus,suchasthewomanat

thewellofSychar

264

Appendix E

a sUggesTeD LisT Of keY WORDs fOR sTUDY

ThefollowingisanalphabetizedlistofkeybiblicalwordsthatcanbeusedinyourWordStudyMethodofBibleStudy(seechap.7).

AdoptionAdversaryApostleAtonementBaptizeBelieveBlessBodyCallChastenChristChurchConfessCovenantDeathDiscipleEverlastingEvil

FaintFaithFavorFearFellowshipFleshGoodGospelGraceHearHellHolyHopeImmanuelIniquityJehovahJesusJudgment

KingdomKnowLawLayingonof

HandsLifeLightLordLoveLustManifestMarriageMediatorMeekMercyMindMinisterMiracle

MysteryNameObeyPassoverPeacePerfectPerishPreachPropitiationreconcileredeemremnantrepentrestresurrectionrighteousSabbathSacrifice

SaintSanctifySaveServantSinSoulSpiritTemptationTrialTruthUnderstandVainVisionWatchWisdomWitnessWordWorldWorship

265

Appendix F

WHaT TO LOOk fOR in a cHaPTeR anaLYsis sTUDY

Listedhereinbriefformare30itemstolookforinyourobservationpartoftheChapterAnalysisMethodofBibleStudy(seechap.10):

1. Ask the six vital observation questions: What? Why? When? How?Where?Who?

2. Lookforkeywords. 3. Lookforrepeatedwordsandphrases. 4. Lookforquestionsbeingasked. 5. Lookforanswersbeinggiven. 6. Lookforcommands. 7. Lookforwarnings. 8. Lookforcomparisons—thingsthatarealike. 9. Lookforcontrasts—thingsthataredifferent. 10. Lookforillustrations. 11. Lookforcausesandeffectsandreasonsfordoingthings. 12. Lookforpromisesandtheirconditionsforfulfillment. 13. Lookforprogressionfromthegeneraltothespecific. 14. Lookforprogressionfromthespecifictothegeneral. 15. Lookforstepsofprogressioninanarrativeorbiography. 16. Lookforlistsofthings. 17. Lookforresults. 18. Lookforadvice,admonitions,andattitudes.

266


19. Lookforthetoneofthepassage—emotionalatmosphere. 20. Lookforconnectives,articles,andprepositions. 21. Lookforexplanations. 22. LookforOldTestamentquotesintheNewTestament. 23. Lookfortheliteraryform. 24. Lookforparadoxes. 25. Lookforemphasisthroughtheuseofspace—proportion. 26. Lookforplannedexaggerationsorhyperboles. 27. Lookatthegrammaticalconstructionofeachsentence. 28. Lookfortheuseofthecurrenteventsofthetimes. 29. Lookfortheforceoftheverbs. 30. Lookforanythingunusualorunexpected.

TheabovearejustafewofthethingsyoucanlookforintheobservationstepinyourBiblestudy.Don’tletthislonglistdiscourageyou.Youshouldn’ttrytodoeachoneofthesuggesteditems.Itwilltaketimeforyoutogetintothehabitofseeingmoreandmore things in the text.Themoreyoupracticeobserving, themorealertyouwillbecome.Soremember:Look,search,observe,thenwriteyourfindingsdown!

267

Appendix G

a PLan fOR sTUDYing THe BiBLe sYsTeMaTicaLLY

OnceyouhavecommittedyourselftostudyingtheBiblepersonally,youmaybeginwondering,“WhatdoIdonow?”Sincethereissomuchcontentinthe66booksoftheBible,whereshouldyoubeginandwhatplanshouldyoufollow?

EachchapterinthisbookhasasuggestedassignmentforthatparticulartypeofBiblestudy. In thisappendixa long-rangeplan issuggested forstudying theBiblesystematically.Pleaseusethisplanloosely.Don’tfeelthatyouhavetofollowitrigidly.Feelfreetochangeit,tosubstitute,toomit,toadd,andtoswitch.

Thefollowingplanisorganizedaround48weeksperyear(with4weeksoffforvacation)forfouryears.

year one

weeks 1 – 4 Devotional.Method: Psalm15 Psalm34 romans12 1John4

weeks 5 – 10 Chapter.Summary.Method: 1John1 2Timothy2 John17 1Corinthians13 Ephesians1 Haggai1

268


weeks 11 – 16 Character.Quality.Method: Honesty Humility Servanthood Selfishness Faithfulness Worry

weeks 17 – 22 Thematic.Method: ThePrayersofPaul Obedience KnowingGod’sWill PraisingtheLordinthePsalms TheWisePeopleinProverbs FaithfulnessintheNewTestament

weeks 23 – 28 Biographical.Method: Daniel Stephen Barnabas Gideon ruth Nehemiah

weeks 29 – 32 Topical.Method: Money—MaterialPossessions Prayer TheFamily TheLordshipofChrist(doctrinalstudy)

weeks 33 – 36 Word.Study.Method: Witness Disciple Love redemption

Appendix.G:.A.Plan.for.Studying.the.Bible.Systematically

26�

weeks 37 – 38 Book.Background.Method: TheBookofColossians TheBookofHaggai

weeks 39 – 45 Book.Survey,.Chapter.Analysis,.Book.Synthesis.Methods: TheBookof1Thessalonians Week39—Survey Weeks40–44—ChapterAnalysis Week45—Synthesis

weeks 46 – 48 Verse-by-Verse.Analysis.Method: ContinueontheBookof1Timothy

year tWo

From the second year on, you will primarily study books of the Bible, with theothermethods interlaced for a changeof pace. Youwill note that every timeaBiblebookissuggested,twomoreweeksareaddedtothenumberofchaptersinthatbook—forthesurveyprecedingitandthesynthesisfollowingit.Dotheseinwhateverorderyoudesire,interchangingandsubstitutingfreelyaccordingtoyourneedsandinterests!

TheBookof2Timothy 6weeksTheGospelofMark 18weeksTheBookofColossians 6weeksFourTopicalStudies 4weeksFourBiographicalStudies 4weeksFourWordStudies 4weeksVerse-by-VerseChapterAnalysisStudyofPsalm145 3weeksThreeStudiesofYourChoice 3weeks

Total 48weeks

270


year three

TheBookofPhilippians 6weeksTheBookofromans 18weeksTheBookof1John 7weeksFourTopicalStudies 4weeksFourBiographicalStudies 4weeksFourWordStudies 4weeksVerse-by-VerseChapterAnalysisStudyofPsalm139 3weeksTwoStudiesofYourChoice 2weeks

Total 48weeks

year four

TheBookofEphesians 8weeksTheBookofActs 30weeksTwoTopicalStudies 2weeksTwoWordStudies 2weeksVerse-by-VerseChapterAnalysisStudyof3John 2weeksTwoStudiesofYourChoice 4weeks

Total 48weeks

year five anD BeyonD

Youarenowonyourown!Pickthebooksandtypesofstudiesthatinterestyouandwillhelpbuildyouup.Itismyprayerthatthesesuggestionswillmotivateyoutobeginalifetimeofdynamic,personalBiblestudy.

271

For Further ReadingBaughman,ray..Creative.Bible.Study.Methods ..MoodyPress,1976Brooks,KeithL..Basic.Bible.Study.for.New.Christians ..MoodyPress,1985_______ ..The.Summarized.Bible:.A.Guide.to.Daily.Devotional.Bible.Study ..Baker,1965Coleman,LucienE.,Jr..Developing.Skills.for.Bible.Interpretation ..TheSundaySchoolBoard

oftheSouthernBaptistConvention,1969Corley,Bruce,SteveLemke,andGrandLovejoy,eds..Biblical.Hermeneutics .2nded.Broad-

man&Holman,2002Downing,Jim..Meditation:.The.Bible.Tells.You.How ..NavPress,1977Glynn,John..Commentary.and.Reference.Survey:.A.Comprehensive.Guide. to.Biblical.and.

Theological.Resources ..Kregel,2003Henrichsen,WalterA.,andGayleJackson..Studying,. Interpreting,.and.Applying. the.Bible ..

Zondervan,1990Jensen,IrvingL..Enjoy.Your.Bible ..WorldWidePublications,1989_______ ..Independent.Bible.Study ..MoodyPress,1972Job,JohnB.,ed..How.to.Study.the.Bible ..InterVarsityPress,1973Klein,William,CraigBlomberg,androbertHubbard..Introduction.to.Biblical.Interpretation ..

rev.ed.Nelson,2004LaHaye,Tim..How.to.Study.the.Bible.for.Yourself ..HarvestHouse,1988Lincoln,WilliamC..Personal.Bible.Study ..BethanyFellowship,1975McCartney,Dan,andCharlesClayton..Let.the.Reader.Understand ..2nded.Presbyterian&

reformed,2002Mickelsen,A.Berkeley..Better.Bible.Study ..regalBooks,1977Miller,ParkHays..How.to.Study.and.Use.the.Bible ..W.A.Wilde,1954Navigator.Bible.Studies.Handbook,.The ..NavPress,1995Perry,LloydandrobertD.Culver..How.to.Search.the.Scriptures ..Baker,1967ramm,Bernard..Protestant.Biblical.Interpretation ..Baker,1980ramm,Bernard,ed..Hermeneutics ..Baker,1987robertson,EdwardH..Methods.of.Bible.Study ..TheBible inOurTimeSeries.Association

Press,1962Smith,Bob..Basics.of.Bible.Interpretation ..WordBooks,1978Smith,WilburM..Profitable.Bible.Study ..Baker,1971Sproul,r.C..Knowing.Scripture ..InterVarsityPress,1977Sterrett,T.Norton..How.to.Understand.Your.Bible ..InterVarsityPress,1982Torrey,r.A..How.to.Study.the.Bible.for.Greatest.Profit ..Baker,1984Traina,robertA..Methodical.Bible.Study ..Zondervan,1985Wald,Oletta..The.New.Joy.of.Discovery.in.Bible.Study ..AugsburgFortress,2002Wollen,AlbertJ..Miracles.Happen.in.Group.Bible.Study ..regalBooks,1976

About the Author

Rick Warren is often called “America’s most influential spiritual leader.” He founded Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, which is now one of the largest and best-known churches in the world. He also founded the Purpose Driven Movement, a network of tens of thousands of churches from all denominations in 160 countries. He has trained over 350,000 pastors worldwide.

About the Publisher

Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan – based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, is the leading international Christian com-munications company, producing bestselling Bibles, books, new media products, and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive pub-lishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 215 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchan-disers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 73 ECPA Medallion of Excellence (formerly Gold Medallion) awards for its books, more than any other publisher.

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