How to
Actually
Study th e
Bi ble
Table of Contents
Chapters
Topic
Page
Welcome
1
Recommended Resources
2
Brainstorm Topics to Study
3
1
How to interpret the Bible
4
2
6
3
The Cross Reference Method of Study
Using the Bible to understand the Bible
Word Study
4
Topical Study
10
5
Character Study
12
6
Historical Background Study
14
7
Passage Analysis
7 Questions Approach
Devotional Study
Lectio Divina: “Divine Reading”
16
8
8
18
Welcome to:
How to Actually Study the Bible
Why Study the Bible?
Many Christians would be happy to be spoon fed God's Word from their pastor or some other teacher. It
is true and good that God raises up teachers and proclaimers of His word for the edification of His church.
But God also desires for each follower of Christ to “correctly handle the word of truth,“ as Paul says in 2
Timothy 2:15. We are to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly,” so that we can, “teach and admonish
one another.” (Col 3:16) God has given His Holy Spirit to those who believe in His Son, to teach them all
things. (John 14:26) But, in order to handle God's word accurately, we need to learn how to study it for
ourselves. That's what this small group is about.
The Approach
The following pages will outline several techniques of studying the Bible. You will need to use resources
beyond the Bible in order to answer some of the questions and to get the most out of this study. Please
see the Resource Recommendations below. Some are found on the Internet. Some are books that can
be purchased. I recommend for this study, that you use the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.
Each week will follow this pattern of learning:
• learn a study technique.
• apply that technique to a topic of interest
• share what we have learned from God's Word on that topic with each other.
The approaches to Bible study on the following pages will help you dig into God's word for yourself and
learn about who God is, who you are, and how his Word applies to your life .
Pray first
Although you will be using techniques and tools to study the Scriptures, it will all be in vain without prayer.
Ask God to open your mind so you can understand what He is trying to reveal to you. Paul prayed for the
Ephesians, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom
and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know
what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints;
(Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV)) This is a good prayer to pray for yourself each time you begin this study.
God will teach you things that you will be able to share with others in the group and even beyond your
group! May you experience God teaching you and using you in the coming weeks as you learn to
actually study the Bible for yourself!
In Christ,
The Rev. Jay Fowler
1
Recommended Resources:
(Use the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible)
Study Bibles print version
ESV Study Bible
Free Software of the Bible online or to
download onto your computer.
Online
www.biblegateway.com
www.studylight.org
www.biblestudytools.com/
www.blueletterbible.org
ESV Bible online
www.esvbible.org
Download to your Computer
WORDsearch Basic
www.wordsearchbible.com/basic
Cross Reference: Treasury of Scripture
Knowledge
www.blueletterbible.org
Concordance/ word search
www.biblegateway.com
www.studylight.org
www.biblestudytools.com/
www.blueletterbible.org
www.esvbible.org
Bible Dictionaries
Vines Expository Dictionary
www.blueletterbible.org
http://studybible.info/vines/
Interlinear Greek /KJV Bible
http://studybible.info/search/IGNT/
Holman Bible Dictionary
http://classic.studylight.org/dic/hbd/
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical
Theology
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/
bakers-evangelical-dictionary/?letter=L
Interlinear Bibles
http://www.interlinearbible.org/
Topical Index
Nave's Topical Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/topical/
Cross References
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
http://www.studylight.org/com/tsk/view.cgi?b
k=61
Commentaries
The IVP New Testament Commentary
Series (recent)
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivpnt/toc/
a list of commentaries with date of
publication and links
http://www.bibleresearcher.com/links20.html
Links to hundreds of commentaries, mostly
from before 1900, but some pastors from
today as well
http://www.preceptaustin.org/tool_commenta
ry.htm
Bible Background Information
Bible Background. Research and Commentary
by Dr. Criag Keener
http://www.craigkeener.com/
Maps
http://www.bible-history.com/maps/
http://www.openbible.info/geo/
2
Brainstorm Topics to Study
3
Chapter 1
How to interpret the Bible.
Important truth: God wants us to ________________
Luke 24:44 - 45 (NIV)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that
is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their
minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
1. Check your _______________________
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
2. Read verses in _______________
Check and understand the Immediate context, and the wider context of the book your passage is
in. And even the wider context of the Bible.
Ask and answer the questions, Who? What? When? Where? Why?
3. Understand the _____________
Use the following tools:
Concordance
Bible Dictionary
A Study Bible
www.biblegateway.com
www.studylight.org
See Recommended Resource page for more
4. Interpret Scripture with _________________
Use cross references. Use the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, see Recommended Resources.
4
5. Check the literary _______________
Poetry
Prophecy
Narrative
Proverb
Parable
Letters
Allegory
Metaphor
6. Separate the culturally bound from _________________ ____________
Mark 6:8 - 9 (NIV)
8These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no
money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.
7. Read in _____________________
Colossians 4:16 (NIV) After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of
the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
8. Understand the historical __________________
Use the same tools listed above. In addition you can also consult a good commentary. The NIV
Bible Background is good
9. Pray for God to help you _____________________ his word
Luke 24:45 (NIV)
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
5
Chapter 2
The Cross Reference Method of Study
Using the Bible to understand the Bible.
1. Choose a topic or a verse of interest. _________________________
2. Start with your Bible verse or find a verse with your word in it. Write it
here________________________ If you don’t know a Bible verse go to Step # 3.
3. Go to www.blueletterbible.org
4. Type your word or verse in the box.
5. Choose your Bible Version.
6. Click Search
7. Click on the “K” to the left of your verse.
8. Scroll down to find your word and the verses under your word.
9. Read each verse. Write down insights for each verse.
Verse
Insights
6
10. Click on any of those verses and follow steps 7-9
Verse
Insights
11. After looking at several verses summarize your findings.
12. What is God trying to teach you right now through what you discovered from His Word?
13. What can you specifically do to begin to implement godly change in your life according to
what God’s taught you?
7
Chapter 3
Word Study
1. Choose a word to study and write it here: _____________________
2. Find all Greek and/or Hebrew words which are translated as your word. (ex. sometimes
more than one Greek word will be translated with the same English word)
Greek Words
Hebrew words
Get definitions for the Greek/Hebrew words. Note any differences in meaning between the
words.
3. Find the English word in the Bible and list references.
(How many times does it appear? In what books does it appear? What writers use the word?
In what book does it occur the most? Where does the word first appear?)
4. How is the English word used throughout the Bible?
Does this word have different uses in the Bible? If so, what are they? What is the most
frequent use of the word?
8
(Optional)
5. Choose a Greek or Hebrew word to study.
Find the Greek/Hebrew word in the Bible and list references. (Use Vines Expository Bible or a
Greek/ Hebrew Concordance)
Does this word have different uses in the Bible? If so, what are they?
Find all the different English words that are used to express the Greek/Hebrew word you are
studying.
What is the most frequent use of the word?
6. Define and analyze the word.
What is it? Who does it? (God? Jesus? Spirit? believers? non-believers? Satan?)
What does it mean? (Use the Holman Bible Dictionary)
7. Aplication
How can understanding this word strengthen my relationship with God?
How can it effect how I interact with others?
How can I apply what I’ve learned from this Word study to my life right now?
Who is someone I could share this with?
9
Chapter 4
Topical Study
1. Decide on your topic: __________________________
2. Compile a list of words related to your topic.
3. Make a list of references for each of the words. Write down observations and insights about
what each verse says about your topic.
Word
Verse
Observations and Insights
10
4. Group similar observations and their corresponding verses together.
Use highlighters to group similar verses/observations or rewrite the words and verses in
groups.
Give each grouping a title, sentence or phrase to describe it.
5. Make a list of your findings on the topic based on the groupings you made.
6. Summarize your findings in a paragraph.
7. Application
Explain how God wants to use your learnings in your life right now.
Write out specific steps to begin to apply your findings
Who is someone you could share your findings with?
11
Chapter 5
Character Study
1. Choose a person to study write their name here: _____________________
(Remember that some names are used for more than one person)
2. Write down what their name means.
3. Make a list of all the scripture references of the person and the corresponding details.
4. When and where did they live?
5. Make a chronological outline of their life. List the special events in their life.
Year
Born
Special Events
Died
12
6. What are their admirable qualities?
7. What character defects did they have?
8. How did God use them?
9. How are you like this person?
10. How are you different?
11. Application
Looking at their life what would you like to imitate?
What would you like to avoid?
Who is someone you could share what you’ve learned with?
13
Chapter 6
Historical Background Study
1. Choose a subject, event, or book of the Bible:______________________________
2. Set the time frame:
When did the event happen? When was the book written? When did the subject live?
What was going on in the Bible at the time?
When in the Chronology of the Bible did your event/subject matter happen? What happened
before and after your event or subject?
What was going on in surrounding cultures at and around the time?
3. Get insights from geography.
Locate your event/subject on maps of the ancient world, especially from the time period you are
studying. Is there more than one possible location? If so list all places. Explain which you
believe to be the best choice and why.
Where on a modern map would your event/subject be?
4. Get insights from archeology
Have there been any discoveries pertaining to your event/subject? What are they? When were
they discovered? What year does the discovery date to? Where were they discovered? How
reliable is the discovery?
14
5. Get insights from Cultures
What were the cultural norms and practices of the time for God’s people?
What were the culture and norms of people surrounding God’s people? How were they
different? How were they the same?
6. Get insights from the political situation.
Who is in charge? What kind of government is in place? How does that affect the people in the
Bible? How does it affect surrounding cultures? How does God feel about the political
situation?
7. Summarize your findings.
8. Make it relevant
In what ways are the circumstances surrounding your event/subject similar to today?
In what ways are they different today?
What can be learned from the past to help you or your community right now?
15
Chapter 7
Passage Analysis
7 Questions Approach
1. What does it say?
(Read the passage aloud to yourself or others.)
2. What is the setting/ context?
For a Letter/Prophetic book:
(Who is writing this? Where is he writing from? Who is he writing to? Where are the recipients?
When was it written? What is the purpose of the letter?)
For a Narrative book:
(Where is it? Who’s there? When is it? What does it look like, sound like, smell like, feel like or
taste like?)
For immediate context:
What was said just before? Is there a theme the writer is developing? What follows in the
text? How does this passage fit with the overall point the writer is making?)
3. What do the words mean?
Write down any words that are unfamiliar to you or that you would like more information on.
Pay attention to words that are repeated in the passage. Use a Bible Dictionary, Study Bible or
Commentary to help you find the answers.
16
4. What does it tell me about God? (Father and/or Son, and/or Holy Spirit?)
What is He like? What does He do? What does He say? What does he not like? What does he
give or offer?
5. What does it tell me about people?
What does this say about people in general? What are they like? What are they prone to?
How do they relate to God?
What does this say about me in particular? Am I convicted or encouraged by anything ? Is
there a growth area for me to pursue? Is there a promise for me to believe?
6.
How does it apply to my life?
Consider applying what you have learned to one or more of the following areas of your life.
Write down at least one thing to work on this week with God’s help.
Friends:
Family:
Work:
Church:
School:
God:
7. What should I pray for?
In light of what God revealed to you in this passage what could you pray about this week?
17
Chapter 8
Devotional Study
Lectio Divina: “Divine Reading”
One form of Christian meditation that has been widely used since at least the Fourth Century AD is
the Lectio Divina method. This approach centers on loving God and being transformed through
His Word. Traditionally used in monastic religious orders, it is having resurgence today, and many
are being drawn to it.
Over the centuries this practice has become widely appreciated as a way of enriching and
transforming one’s faith life. It is a great balance to Bible study in that it is an experiential approach.
(more right brain than left brain) It is not designed to replace good in depth Biblical study. But
rather it is another way to learn to hear God speak to you through His Word
It is basically divided up into four sections:
• lectio (reading)
•
meditatio (meditation/reflection),
•
oratio (response/affective prayer)
•
contemplatio (rest/contemplation).
Lectio Divina works with any passage of scripture, but lends itself to narrative, to stories in the
Bible, the Gospel and Acts in particular.
Use the outline on the following page as a guide through the 4 steps.
Please remember that this technique should not replace deeper study of God’s Word. Using an
experiential approach like Lectio Divina without a balance of good Biblical study, can lead some
people into error. They could be tempted to raise their subjective feelings over Biblical truths. But
learning to slow down and listen to the living Lord Jesus through His word is an important skill to
learn as well. So go with the Holy Spirit and enjoy Lectio Divina.
18
Lectio Divina: “Divine Reading”
Select your Passage: ________________________
Read (lectio) the passage out loud (even if you are alone).
Ask God to put you in the story.
What do you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel?
Who’s there? What’s happening?
Who do you identify with?
Read it again, this time;
Reflect/meditate (meditation) on what you’ve read.
Ask: “What do You want to say to me today, Lord?”
Read it again and notice what word, phrase, or truth jumps out at you.
Ask: “Lord, why this word, this phrase, etc;.?”
Reflect on what comes to mind.
What is God showing you about Himself, His people or you?
Read it again, this time;
Respond (oratio) to what you hear
Ask: God, what are You inviting me to do in response to this?
Write down what God is putting on your heart to do. (to give thanks, to love God more, to
worship, to confess, to ask for help to receive grace, to surrender something, to accept
someone, to rest, to step out in faith?)
Read it again, this time;
Rest (contemplatio): Take time to linger in God’s Presence.
Say, “thank you Jesus for being with me and speaking to me today.”
Enjoy your encounter with God
Let Him fill you and replenish you.
19
20
© The Rev. Jay Fowler
June 2013