BIBLE STUDY
Matthew 4:1-11, shows that Christians should endeavour to study
the word of God and be able to correctly divide it because our adversary, the
devil, can use it to cunningly deceive us- as he is doing today.
What is Bible Study?
It is
the time one apportions to read the bible and understand it to apply
it to his life.
Why study the Bible?
- Makes you an approved workman
(2Tim. 2:15)
- Brings prosperity and success
( Josh. 1:8)
- Corrects, teaches, rebukes,
gives basis of doctrine, etc (2Tim. 3:16-17)
- Encourages us to have hope
(Rom. 15:4)
- To be able to teach others
(Ezra 7:10)
Types of Personal
Bible study?
The Bible can be
studied in various forms depending on what you want to achieve. The types can
include:
- Book
study. Eg. Genesis, Jeremiah, John, etc.
- Verse
Study. Eg. John 3:16, Eccl. 9:4, etc
- Character
Study. Eg. Abraham, Paul, David, etc
- Word
Study. Eg. Love, Giving, etc
- Topical
Study. Eg. Salvation, Marriage, Family dissension, Evangelism, etc
How to have a
fruitful Bible study?
Depending on the type
of personal study you want to do, the following guidelines can be used to gain
a fruitful understanding to apply to your life:
·
Choose
a verse, book or passage where your study can be found.
·
Note
the context in which the verse/ passage occurs (especially if you are doing verse
study) then carry out the under-listed on what you read:
(i)
OBSERVATION (what does the passage say)?
Answer this by asking yourself the
following questions:
a) Who are the
characters involved? i) Note the verbs,
adjectives and phrases used to describe them. (ii) What is revealed about the
character of God?
b) What is
happening? i) The verbs are the key
to the actions of the passage; list them.
ii) What commands or promises are given? By whom? (iii) What conditions are presented (or implied)
c) Where do the events occurs? Use a Bible Atlas. How other significant events take place
there?
d)When does the events occur? How much time elapses during the event? Is
the season of the year significant? The time of the day? The time in a person’s life (age)?
e) Why does the events
occur? Stick to reasons suggested in
the text. Who offers an explanation?
f) How does the events happen? Is any process described? What are the steps? What are the effects?
g) Summarise The
passage by writing down a simple statement of what seems to be the author’s
main purpose or lesson.
(ii)
INTEPRETATION: (What does the passage mean?).
a)
What
caused a particular action or statement?
What is the intention? How does
it relate to the previous incident?
(b) Why is it significant? Why is it significant? What does this teaches? (c)
What is its consequences and implication? (d)
Is it revelation? How does it fit
in with the whole? Why is it stated
here? (e) What meaning does it have today? (f)
What does this imply about God’s relationship to men? About Men’s relationship with God
(iii) APPLICATION: (What does the passage mean to
me?) Ask the Holy Spirit to teach
you. (a) What is already part of my thinking? My action?
(b) What is new to me? (c) What am I doing that is wrong. (d)
How can I make the needed change?
(e) What will I need to do not
some future date?
Tools helpful for a meaningful
personal Bible Study
To have a meaningful study, the under-listed
can be of help:
·
Study
guides
·
Concordance
·
Dictionary
(when using English bible). etc
Conclusion
You need a quiet time to
concentrate on your bible study. Bible study is a very powerful tool available
to the Christian in the Spiritual Warfare.
When employed rightly and diligently, it will work to the victory of the
Christian in his combat with his (Spiritual) enemies.
Amen!
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