Study the Word of God

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15

What is Bible Study?

Bible study require systematic personal examination of what the Word of God says for myself. When I study the Bible I am looking at a passage trying to figure out what it says, what it means, and how I am going to apply it to my life.

I have used several different Bible study methods over the years including:
Question-and-Answer
Study of a Topic
Study of a Person
Verse Analysis
Comprehensive Book-of-the-Bible Study

I like the variety offered by using different methods. They compliment each other. When I wanted to learn about humility I used three methods

First, I did a topical study on humility. I used Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible to find all the verses containing the word humble or humility. As I studied my way through those passages, I discovered Numbers 12:3. It says that Moses was the most humble man on the face of the earth.

After I finished my topical study, I did a study on Moses. Again, using Strong's Concordance, I looked up all the passages that mention Moses. And I analyzed his life to see what made him the most humble man on the face of the earth.

Third, I picked out the verses I thought were most important on humility, like Philippians 2:1-11. I used the verse analysis method to explore the meaning and application of the passage to my life.

Why is Bible study important?

So that I am not ashamed when I stand before God. God allows me to live in a country where I am free to study and pursue any religion I want. Freedom to choose a religion is a right and a responsibility. It just so happens that my religion is a relationship.

Following Jesus Christ is a relationship, not a religion. This relationship requires an intimate understanding of the written incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Bible. (John 1:1)

Paul says I should study so I am not ashamed. Jesus says I should study the Bible so I can be free.

How great is it to live in a country where I have the freedom to study the Bible. And as I study the Bible, I gain freedom from Satan's rule in my life!

How to study the Bible.

I began seriously studying the Bible while I was in college. I joined a group that was studying through The Navigators Design for Discipleship Series. The Design for Discipleship Series systematically examines topics of importance to the follower of Jesus Christ in a question-and-answer format. We studied this series for an entire school year.

The next year, the group moved on to do a comprehensive book study of Romans. Each week we individually studied the chapter for four or five hours. Then we got together as a group and discussed it for 90 minutes.

I have continued some form of Bible study since then. Usually with a group. Usually there is independent Observation-Interpretation-Application, followed by group discussion.

The advantages of this method include:

1. God can speak to each one of us individually about things in our lives. We each get four or five hours of time with God BEFORE we meet to discuss the passage.

2. I can ask the others some of the questions I was not able to figure out on my own. Perhaps, God has given them some insight regarding my question.

3. When we get together, I can learn from others in the group. And what we share is fresh and real.

I have tried the method where we all just show up and discuss. No preparation is done ahead of time. This method is a poor substitute.

The conversation is a combination of:
re-telling ideas that were heard some where else;
examining the “cheater notes” at the bottom of the page or in the margin of a study Bible. The notes are great when used correctly, but sound pathetic when used as a substitute for personal reflection and meditation;
sharing opinions that are made up on the spot and not well thought out;
and worst of all, discussing things which are completely off topic in a feeble attempt to cover up spiritual immaturity by pontificating about ideas which are irrelevant to following Jesus Christ as Lord.

My favorite method of Bible study is verse analysis. I learned this method from The Navigator Bible Studies Handbook.

Here is an example:

Since I was talking about the freedom that comes from studying the Bible, I will look at that passage.

First, I read it a few times and write it out,

John 8:31,32 “To the Jews who believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Next, I go through the passage and pick out the words I think are key to understanding the meaning of the passage. In this passage, it would be these words:

believed, hold, teaching, really, disciples, know, truth, set, free

Now, I look up the original Greek word. The New Testament was written in Greek. When the words are translated into English, they may lose some meaning.

I didn't think much about it until a visit from a friend who was studying New Testament Greek in graduate school. I asked him if it was really that important. He told me that it was like the difference between watching television in black and white or watching it in color. So I decided to try it. And he was right!

I use a Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words to look up the words in Greek. Or sometimes I use Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. There also several fine on line resources available for help. I personally prefer a “hard copy.”

My next step is to re-write the passage in my own words like this:

When I am done with this step, my page looks like this:

John 8:31,32 “To the Jews who believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

believed – 4100 – pisteuo – to have faith; credit; to entrust

hold -- 3306 – meno – to stay in a given place, state, relation or expectancy; abide, continue, dwell

teaching – 3056 – logos something said, including the thought; to lay forth; relate in words

really – 230 – alethos – truly, indeed, surety, very, verily

disciples – 3101 – mathetes – a learner, a pupil, disciple

know – 1097 – ginosko – to know, in a great variety of applications; be aware of; perceive

truth – 225 – alethia – true, truly, truth

set free – 1659 – eleutheroo – to liberate; to exempt; deliver; make free

John 8:31,32 (my wording):

The Jesus said to Me who trusted him, “if you set up your tent and dwell in the words I have related to you, then you are truly my pupils and you will perceive and be aware of the truth and the truth will liberate you and make you free from whatever holds you captive.”

Finally, I write out an application for making this passage part of my life.

Practical discipleship tips for applying the Word of God

For a larger passage, like a chapter, it is necessary to be selective in the key words I examine. If I plan five hours of Bible study preparation, I might organize it like this:

10 minutes to read the chapter a couple of times.
5 minutes to ask God to teach me from this passage.
3 hours in 60 minute increments
60 minutes to examine 12 to 18 words. Repeat a total of 3 times for 3 hours.
1 hour in 15 minute increments.
15 minutes to reflect and re-write each 2-3 verse segment. Repeat a total of 4 times for 1 hour.
20 minutes to develop an application for my life using this method:
10 minutes to pray and ask God to change me by applying these truths.

Practical discipleship tips for applying the Word of God

After a few years of practice, I found this book helpful in moving my Bible study skills to the next level. “Independent Bible Study: A Guide to Personal Study of the Scriptures,” by Irving L. Jensen.

Practical discipleship for you to do:

1. Find a question-and-answer study that you can do about a topic of interest.
You can check the local Christian bookstore or find a free one by searching the Internet.

2. Select a passage that is 2 to 5 verses long.
Perform a verse analysis on the passage using the process described above.
You can find the Greek words on line or you can purchase a Greek dictionary.

3. Enjoy yourself! Studying the Bible should be fun!

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