

Consider breaking that pattern and setting some high goals for your spiritual growth.įor example, you might say that within the next 10 years you will have studied a certain number of the books of the Bible in this manner-spending perhaps three hours a week to study (which is not to be a substitute for your “quiet time”-that is separate). Sadly, mediocrity is a hallmark of our age. When the book is completed, give it a collective title. Repeat the process for subsequent chapters. Write a summary paragraph outlining the thesis of the chapter. This will help solidify the message of the chapter in your mind. 7) Title and SummarizeĪfter completing this verse-by-verse analysis of the chapter, assign it a title and identify a key verse or verses. I can only be effective in my mission if I am aware of my status as a divinely appointed witness. Just like Paul, I need to recognize that I am tasked with being Christ’s ambassador, authorized and sent out with a divine message.

Here is a possible application of 1 Timothy 1:1: Remember, don’t go to commentaries first start by making your own observations. Seeking out other believers’ insights about the passage can provide a broader, more solid understanding of the passage than you might be able to come to on your own. It wasn’t something he decided to do on his own.Īfter completing your own analysis, consult a Bible commentary for additional insight. Paul was commanded by God to be an apostle. If an observation occurs to you that relates to any part of the passage or its background, be sure to write it down. Consult a concordance, other study guides, or footnotes to collect related passages you may not have thought of.Ĭhrist our hope: Colossians 1:27 5) Insights Make a note of any similar or related passages that come to mind while you’re reading, paraphrasing, and asking questions about the passage. The Greek word apostolos comes from the verb apostello, which means “to send forth.” So to be an apostle means to be someone who is sent forth-in this case by Christ to spread His message. What does the word “apostle” mean? What does it mean to be one?Ī. Write down some questions you have about the passage, or unfamiliar or confusing terms that you come across. Paul, a proclaimer of Jesus Christ, obeying the instructions of God who is the One who saves us, and of Jesus Christ who is our hope… 3) Questions and Answers “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. This will help you understand each verse in wording that makes more sense to you. Starting with the first chapter, write out each verse or section of verses in your own words. A Bible dictionary or online commentaries can also be helpful. Some Bibles have summaries at the beginning of each book that will provide some of this information. 7 Steps to Studying the Bible 1) Backgroundįirst, do a basic background study on the book: Who is the author? Why was it written? Learn the historical background, dates, key people and so on. Try it out on one of the short epistles- 1 Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, or 1 or 2 Timothy. Navigator Dwight Hill has broken this method into seven steps. Commonly, this method is defined by three parts: Observation, interpretation, and application. The inductive method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. One of the best ways to get to the “solid food” of the Word is through “inductive” Bible study.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil ( Hebrews 5:13, 14 NIV). Consider the challenge from the writer of Hebrews:Īnyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
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As we grow in Christ, it’s important that we learn how to study the Bible for ourselves and not depend solely on the instruction of others.
