“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV) Today, I launch a new clergy collegial blog. I hope we will encourage and empower each other toward success and excellence in pastoral ministry. As I sit in the Pastor’s Study at Cambria Heights Community Church, I often ponder the possible feedback of clergy colleagues as it relates to preparing sermons, counseling in particularly difficult situation, designing fresh worship, balancing competing priorities of ministry, marriage and family, maintaining self-care, pursuing personal dreams and private interests outside of ministry and family, and finding resources to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of the people whom I serve. After a sustained period of prayer, reflection and meditation, I realize I can invite you to come “In The Pastor’s Study” for an exchange of ideas.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Personal Bible Study Methods


Personal Bible Study Methods
Christian Education Session


I.                   Welcome and Opening Prayer


II.                Introductions


III.             List of everyone’s favorite biblical verses, characters and passages

IV.             List of everyone’s least favorite verses, characters and passages

V.                Demystify Bible study

A.      The Bible is meant to read by all believers.
B.      It is the record of the enduring covenant of love between God and humankind.
C.      It reveals the character of God.
D.      It is an instruction guide for believers.
E.      What does the Bible say about itself?
F.       Discard the superstitions that you have heard about the Bible.
G.     Read the Bible for yourself

VI.             Practical Suggestions for Personal Bible Study

A.      Set a daily time for Bible reading; be disciplined
B.      Pray before you read and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal new truths to you. (John 16:13)
C.      Write down the revelations you receive (Habakkuk 2:2)
D.      Ask questions of the passages that you are reading.
E.      What does this story tell me about God’s character?
F.       What does this passage tell me about Jesus?
G.     How does this text compare with what I have been told?
H.      How do these verses add to my knowledge of the Bible?
I.         Read with a clearly defined objective and purpose in mind.
J.        As I read this story again, what new fact or information can I gain?
K.     How does this reading influence my relationship with God?
L.      Does this passage require a change in my thinking?
M.    Does it necessitate an adjustment in my actions?
N.      How will I apply the teaching, truth and wisdom of the passage?
O.      Ask very personal questions of the Bible depending on the challenges and circumstances of your life.
P.       Does the Bible contain any insight and suggestions for handling this situation?

VII.          A Synopsis of Rick Warren’s “Principles of Dynamic Bible Study”

A.      Observations
B.      Questions
C.      Interpretation
D.      Comparison and Correlation
E.      Conclusion and Application

1.      Knowing how to ask the right kinds of questions
2.      Writing down what you have observed and discovered
3.      Application not just interpretation
4.      Systematic study
5.      You will never exhaust the riches in any one passage of scripture

VIII.       Divisions of the Bible

1.      The Old Testament

A.      The Law                          Genesis through Deuteronomy
B.      History                             Joshua through Esther
C.      Poetry                              Job through Song of Solomon
D.      Major Prophets              Isaiah through Daniel
E.      Minor Prophets              Hosea through Malachi

2.      The New Testament

A.  Gospels                             Matthew through John
B.  History                              Acts
C.  Pauline Letters                Romans through Philemon
D.  General Letters               Hebrews through Jude
E.  Prophecy                          Revelation 

XI.             VMS Personal Suggestions

A.      Be creative, open and imaginative in your study of the Bible.
B.      Avoid legalisms, dogmatism and rigidity.
C.      Alternate your daily study time as necessary; but be disciplined about a daily time.
D.      Choose a time and place of solitude
E.      Use technology and media to your advantage: utilize tapes, CD, radio, TV, the Internet, etc.
F.       Experience and learn about God through personal Bible study.
G.     Consider your study to be a conversation with God and His revealed word.
H.      Read two chapters (from different sections) in the Old Testament each morning.
I.         Read two chapters (from different sections) in the New Testament each evening.
J.        Consider one of the “Bible-in-a-year” options.
K.     Trust your relationship with God and the promise of the Holy Spirit to reveal truths specifically to you.
L.      Believe that you will be empowered in this time of study. (Mark 11:24)

IX.             Preview of Warren’s Twelve Bible Study Methods

1.      The Devotional Method – prayerfully meditate on the Word
2.      The Chapter Summary Method – summarize central thoughts
3.      The Character Quality Method – acquire a quality
4.      The Thematic Method – study a major theme
5.      The Biographical Method – focus on a Bible character
6.      The Topical Method – explore a particular topic
7.      The Word Study Method – examine important words
8.      The Book Background Method – research history of a book
9.      The Book Survey Method – survey an entire book
10.  The Chapter Analysis Method – analyze a chapter verse-by-verse
11.  The Book Synthesis Method – digest themes and events
12.  The Verse-by-Verse Analysis Method – dissect a passage verse-by-verse

X.                Personal and Group Exercises

XI.             Summarize session

XII.          Closing Words and Prayer

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