How to Study the Bible-Part 2
Last week, we discussed one simple way to get started reading the Bible (SOAP). This week, I’d like to discuss my favorite method of studying the Scriptures–the inductive Bible study method. Inductive Bible study is the process of looking into passages of the Bible and finding what the passage means from the evidence in the passage. Although authors may vary the process some, the basic method usually involved four steps.
The Inductive Method
- Observation: What do I see?
- Interpretation: What does it mean?
- Application: How should we respond?
- Personalization: How will I respond?
We’ll begin this week with observation (step 1). As we do, let’s learn to read and study the Bible. Here are a few tips for studying:
Studying the Bible
- Read–many people are never transformed by the Bible, because they never read the Bible with an open heart and mind
- Slowly–we often rush through reading, but the process of reading is more important than getting done
- Patiently–some passages might not be understood immediately, we need to take time with them
- Thoroughly–often we miss significant things because we gloss over the details
- Reflect–take time to think & pray for insight
- Record–keeping a journal or record will help you process passage
- Repeat–sometimes the depth of meaning in a passage is discovered only after spending significant time with a passage
To help you give this a try, let’s look at the passage we’ll be going over this week on Sunday. Comment below or contact me if you want to discuss your observations.
Exercise: Make observations in Luke 10:38-42, asking the following questions:
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
How many observations can you make?
Parent Cue for 1st week of March
As a church, we want to supply resources to help you as a parent move your kids forward in their journey of faith. To help you, we supply a weekly “Parent Cue” and “Kids Devotional”. (What is a devotional, I defined it in an earlier post that might interest you.) The Parent Cue will help you discuss the week’s lesson and Bible story with your child. You can schedule a time to sit down with them–or just have a discussion over dinner. For this week’s parent Cue, click here to download it.
For older kids, we also have Kids Devotional material that goes along with what we’re learning in Kids Church. Encourage kids to choose four different days during the week to do these devotions. Most 4th and 5th graders are capable of having a “quiet time” on their own, once they’ve been taught how to do it, but they still need an adult to prompt them and/or follow up on it. Even though kids in early elementary (kindergarten through 3rd grade) are beginning to read things on their own, most are not mature enough to have a God time by themselves. This is something extra you may choose to do with your younger kids. Click to download it here.
New Group on Thursdays
Interested in Multiply but can’t make Thursday nights? Starting next Thursday (March 14, 2013), we’ll have a Multiply Group meeting at the church’s worship space at 1pm. Feel free to bring lunch if it’s your lunchtime. We’ll make a pot of coffee and jump right into the material.
There is street parking downtown, but I also have passes for the city lot directly behind the building. (Until the construction is finished, we have to use temporary permits. When the lot is finished, we’ll have spots available with clearly marked signs.)
For planning purposes, try to let me know if you’ll be attending.
How to Study the Bible-Part 1
Recently I was asked how to study the Bible. Although a simple question, the answer is long.
Some Background
When I blogged a bit more on my personal blog, I wrote this:
Several years ago, I worked with Young Life while living in New England. I’ll never forget a Bible study one morning at the home of one of our high school students. We met regularly to share what we learning in the Scriptures, cast the vision for the ministry we were doing at the high school and pray for the people at the school. One morning, we decided to go back to the basics of how to study Scripture. As we handed out the worksheets with the Bible Study method, the eyes of the students lit up. They excitedly asked for more copies. I ran out and promised to email more to them.
I marveled at this because these were our solid, spiritually growing kids. Many of them regularly read their Bibles and shared what they were learning. It was at that moment I realized that even though I regularly emphasized reading the Bible, I had rarely given people the tools to study the Scriptures.
Regular Bible reading and study has changed my life more than any other spiritual discipline. Study methods come naturally for some people. But, for many, these methods must be learned and practiced. In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the role of church leadership as using their roles and gifts “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (v. 12)”. Since the morning of that Bible study, I have tried to equip people with the tools they need to study. Once practiced, these methods can become such a habit that we no longer need to think about each step of the method.
Getting Started
- I recommend getting a Bible version to read. Without getting into a very long debate over this, my favorite recommendation for people starting to study the Scriptures is the New International Version or New Living Translation. As you study the Bible, you will probably want to compare translations. You can do this online in many places such as YouVersion (which we use for our sermon outlines, etc.)
- Find a place to start studying. While I started in Genesis, this may not be the best place for most people. I recommend beginning in a Gospel or an epistle (letter) like Galatians or Philippians.
- Try using a method:
One method I learned from others is SOAP: an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application & Pray. So, when reading the Bible, follow these steps…
Scripture
Start with the Bible. Have a reading plan, pick something out of the scripture that you likeObservation
Make some observations about what is happening in the passage. What do you know? What is God saying?Application
Reading and studying Scripture is of no use unless you actually apply it to your life. (Matthew 7:24) How can I apply this today??Pray
Spend time talking to God like you would your friend. Ask for the wisdom and strength to apply what you just learned.
Well, this should help you get started. I’ll post a few more things in the near future–some more about my favorite method (Inductive Bible Study) and tips about some other tools. Until then, let me know how this has helped! And, remember, check out the devotional material we talked about last week.
Things that help you grow
Living things grow. While that statement might seem obvious, many times in our faith we don’t grow–we stagnate…we never move forward, becoming more like Jesus and enjoying the promised full, abundant life (John 10:10).
One of the core actions we stress at Deep Water is grow. Our spiritual life should be moving forward every day. There are many ways to grow. One of the things that helps many people grow is something called “devotions”. While is may sound like a weird cereal when people talk about it (“Have you had your devotions today?”, “Dude, I had devotions with my breakfast this morning!” or “Hey, I found something cool in my devotions today!”), it is essentially a time to step back and reflect on God and the Scriptures–that is, it is a time devoted to growing in your spiritual life.
So, what does one “do” when doing devotions (or as we call it in my house, Jesus time)? Essentially, it is a time to read Scripture and pray. While some people simply read and study books of the Bible, others find something called “devotionals” helpful in maintaining their spiritual growth. Devotionals are like mini-sermons and a Scripture.
When first introduced to them, I recall getting a small booklet with a few short paragraphs and a Scripture to read. Of course, the internet and apps have brought change to the form in which they come. Many of these devotionals are now available online, through email, RSS feeds, apps (iOS, Android and others), Twitter and Facebook.
Someone after church asked me a simple question: Do I have any to recommend. If you know me, you know a question like that can send me into a great deal of searching, reading and thought…I found some good ones…and, well, let’s just say “not as good ones”. So, here’s a quick review of a few of the materials that I looked at this week that seem to be good sources for people here at Deep Water.
Our Daily Bread
This has been a classic devotional for as long as I can remember. It offers a brief commentary on Scripture and can now be played audibly for your drive to work. It is available online and as an app on iOS ($0.99) and Android. You can also sign up to follow them on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.Today
Randomly found this one when looking through some apps and found the material well written and relevant. It is available as and app on iOS and Android. You can also sign up to follow them on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.7:14
This is a prayer app developed by the Assemblies of God. As I was looking though it as something that might help us be intentional about prayer, I noticed the devotion button and found written devotions. It is available as and app on iOS but Android is still in development…YouVersion
It’s available online and as a great Bible app for your iphone, ipad or android device–and also offers devotional material here. Of course, you can review or discuss the sermon weekly thru live events (and check out the group for Deep Water).
Please check them out–and let me know about your experience so I can continue to recommend them to others. And if you use any and find them helpful, please let us know what you use or have used.