The Master's Instructions about the Bible. (2 Timothy 2:1-26).
It is possible to read the Bible out loud in about seventy-eight hours. If ever you have flown in a plane you will have noticed that you can see different perspectives at different points of your journey – though some flights are so busy you cannot see anything. On a journey from Khartoum
to London I had some lovely views of the river Nile meandering through the deserts of Egypt. The view from such a height was quite different from the one a few days earlier in Khartoum itself when the hustle and bustle of activity on the river hardly let me notice the river itself.
Some Bible study should be digging for details and some Bible study
should be gazing at great themes. All Bible study should be immersed in
prayer.
You may want to study one Bible book
Read it through several times and jot down or mark any words that keep
recurring, any themes that are developed, any beginnings that come to
their climax, any natural breaks in the story.
You may want to study a particular chapter
Again read it through several times and also read the preceding chapter
to set it into the context. This is always important when reading small
parts of Scripture. Twice the Bible says: ‘There is no God,’ but you find it
does not mean that when you see the context! (See Psalm 14:1; 53:1).
In both of these methods of study ask yourself questions and look for
the answers in your reading. It will be helpful if you note down your
answers in a form you can keep through the years.
What is the main thrust of this scripture?
Are there any other significant matters raised?
Can I summarise the teaching in a couple of sentences?
Is there an example I should seek to follow or avoid?
Are there any commands I should obey?
Are there any promises I should claim?
Perhaps you can compare your findings with those of a friend, or with a
commentary.
You may want to study a special word or topic
Use a concordance to discover all the occasions that a particular word
appears in Scripture, or in one Bible book. Look words up and group them
into ‘definitions’, ‘demonstrations’, or ‘different meanings’ and also have a
column: ‘Don’t quite know where this fits!’
www.biblegateway.com is a good starting place if you have internet access.
Consult an expository dictionary or commentary to define the exact
meaning of the word. Decide for yourself how this can be developed in
your own daily lifestyle (or how it can be avoided). Then study any words
that are nearly the same or have a bearing on the original subject.
You may want to study a character’s life and reputation
Again you will find a concordance helpful in discovering every Bible
reference to this person. Set them into context by reading the
surrounding passages. Pick out the main incidents in his or her life.
Apply this by asking more questions. Build your recorded answers into a
useful resource book for your own ministry.
How did he meet God?
How did God call him to do what he did?
What were his strong points?
What were his weaknesses?
What does God want me to learn from his life?
We are to do our best to present ourselves to God as people who
correctly handle the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). It involves labour,
learning and living.
For the Bible studies found in the following two sections of this book,
read at least twice through Mark’s gospel (for ‘Mark’s Life and Ministry
of Jesus Christ’ starting at chapter 40 here) and read at least twice the
book of Acts (for ‘the Life and Ministry of Peter’ starting at chapter 50).
Write down any verses that mean something special to you as you do so.
Note any questions that come to you.
The outlines given on the life of Jesus and the life of Peter are only a
guide. See if you can build on them for yourself. Pray before you read
and ask God to speak personally to you. After reading the passage you
may find a commentary or Bible-reading aid will help answer some of your
questions, or maybe it will clarify the issues raised.
The Bible says: ‘Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message
is heard through the word of Christ’ (Romans 10:17). It is a good idea to
make a habit of grasping what God gives you in the Bible sermons you
hear. A simple outline, such as the one below, may help you pick out the
‘bones’.
Bible passage read:
Subject:
Speaker:
Date:
Place:
then, from the Bible sermon or Bible teaching:
Introduction:
First main point:
Second main point:
Third main point:
Fourth main point: etc.
My response. What should I do?
How should I do it?
Discussion guide for ‘Ways of studying God’s word’
Bible reading 2 Timothy 2:1-26
1. Describe the differences between “an overview study” and
“a detailed study” of the Bible.
2. What are the strengths and the weaknesses of either method?
3. “The Bible is not an end in itself. It is a tool in the hands of God
the Holy Spirit”.
Discuss this in the light of John 14:26 and Matthew 7:24.
4. How can you “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 God”, 2 Timothy 2:15.
Be as practical as you can in your answer.
5. What is a Bible Concordance useful for?
6. What is an Expository Hebrew or Greek Dictionary useful for?
7. What can you do if you do not have access to either of these
books or online?
8. Pick your favourite verse (or two/three maximum). Study it by
using the following ten questions:
• What words in it need a clear definition of understanding?
• Why is the correct understanding important?
• What is the main truth of the text?
• How does God see this truth?
• How can I see and experience this truth?
• What challenges does this verse present to me?
• Is there a promise to claim? An example to follow? A truth
about God to remember? Or a command to obey?
• What other Bible verses help explain this verse?
• Is there anything I need to ask a more experienced Christian
about this verse? (or look up in a Bible commentary).
• Can you learn the verse to be able to tell it to your friend off
by heart?
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