Methods of Bible Study Part 8F–Guidance

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Jerry

F. Guidance

A most practical use of Scripture is to use it to discern guidance from God for the decisions of life. Caution is in order. Guidance is not properly obtained by opening the Bible at random and hoping for a verse to pop out! But if we read the Bible carefully, it can and will provide guidance from God.

1. Stop.

When you are not clear on God’s revealed will, it is useless to advance. Let your heart seek the face of God in quietness. Find out God’s will about a subject by studying what the Bible says about that subject. Use such Bible study helps as a concordance, a topical analysis of Scripture like The New Topical Textbook, a source of more complete cross references like The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, or Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible.

2. Look.

Read and meditate specifically in Bible books dealing with the devotional life and the will of God: Psalms, Proverbs, Philippians.

3. Listen.

Take time–time enough to forget time. Immerse yourself in God’s Word, the Bible. Seek out what God has to say to you in His written Word.

4. Write it down.

Once you have found guidance about the matter you are seeking guidance for, write it down. This is important in case a question should later arise about the guidance you received. If you have written it down carefully, showing the basis in Scripture used to arrive at the guidance or a decision, you can check back any time later to confirm what you learned from Scripture. Further study of the Bible may sometimes require you to adjust what you had learned before. This is normal, and it is a good thing.

5. Test it.

Test the guidance you received by allowing time to pass before making any drastic new moves or changes in your life. Test guidance received already by confirming or disconfirming it by more study of Scripture. Test guidance received by sharing it with trusted Bible-believing friends who are more mature spiritually than yourself for their suggestions or criticism or confirmation. But do not merely shop around for opinions you like.

6. Take the step.

Once guidance has been received, and confirmed, follow the guidance by living or acting accordingly.

7. Obedience.

God never gives guidance which is contrary to His Word as it is found in the Bible. Obey His written Word. God in this age and time does not communicate directly to us through dreams and visions. The book of Jeremiah in chapter 23 contains plain warning against dreams and visions. Do not ask God to engineer special circumstances to confirm His guidance for you, especially when you know that the path you want to follow is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

I have provided extensive notes and Bible cross references to the subject of guidance in both The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible at 1 Kings 12:7 (“Sources of wise counsel”); 1 Kings 12:10 (“Sources of unwise counsel”); 1 Kings 13:9 (“Sources of true guidance”); 1 Kings 13:18 (“Sources and dangers of false guidance”).

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Methods of Bible Study Part 8E–A Basic Approach

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Jerry

E. A Basic Approach to any Passage

1. “What does it say?”

A) Summarize in your own words or

B) Outline the passage

A summary should be no longer than 5 to 8 words per verse.

2. “What does it say that I don’t understand?”

State the problem briefly and clearly.

To clarify the meaning of the passage in order to gain an understanding of what it means, read the text in other translations; read more of the context; consult cross references, especially those given in sources devoted to cross reference Bible study such as The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (which is considerably more accurate and complete), or Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. If these sources do not clarify the text and answer your question, then consult the notes in any of several available study Bibles for help, or a commentary on that book of Scripture.

3. “What does it say to me?”

A) State in your own words the truth of the verse or verses from which you draw your application.

B) Indicate how this applies to you–what needs this brings out in your life, where you fall short, or what new appreciation or understanding it gives.

C) Write what you intend to do about it. Use the personal singular pronouns “I” and “me.” It should be stated clearly enough to be understood by anyone you might ask to read it.

4. “What does it say in other places?”

Discover for yourself what the Bible says about subjects and themes in the passage you are studying by looking at the other verses which are on the same subject or are related to the verses you have read. To do this, take the time to carefully look up the cross references given in your reference Bible, in a study Bible, or best of all and far more complete, in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible.

Often, there simply is not time enough available to look up everything. Select just one verse that most strikes you from your current study, and look up the cross references for just that verse.

It amazes me how few Bible reading, Bible-believing Christians actually make use of cross references in their study. Even pastors! Pastors and Sunday school teachers need to take the time to teach those under their spiritual care how to study the Bible, and that includes making good use of cross references. If you don’t do cross-reference Bible study, you cannot imagine what you are missing when it comes to studying the treasures in God’s Word.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 8D–What to look for

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Jerry

D. As you read a passage or chapter, seek to find:

1. A command to obey

This has nothing to do with legalism and everything to do with obedience and spiritual growth.

Sometimes a command is directly stated, grammatically in the imperative mood, and no careful, attentive reader of the Bible will miss these. How about:

John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures…”

In flagrant disobedience to this command of Christ, there appears to be very little searching of the Scriptures today. Apparently many have adopted the lazy model of Christianity that lets the pastor do all the work. That is not the Biblical model! You, and yes I mean you, must adopt the Biblical model of searching Scripture for yourself so that you are fed spiritually directly from God’s Word as written in the Bible. To do otherwise is to both invite and experience spiritual starvation and a much weakened personal relationship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:7, “Receive one another…”

Individuals, church members, church committees and boards, need to focus intently upon obeying this command. You have lost your ability to reach the lost for Christ and the ability to impact the world around you when you have flagrantly disobeyed and ignored this command. See on this site a full discussion of Romans 15:7 under the category “Verse-by-Verse Studies” at the right.

1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”

This verse was one of the very first passages to impress me as a new reader of the Bible. It needs to impress you, too! By way of an example application, the time we devote to something is what really demonstrates how we truly value it. Christians can claim to hold a high view of the Bible, but if no significant time is given to its personal study and application, you are only kidding yourself, and have fallen victim to devastating spiritual starvation. Devastating because neglect of God’s Word stunts your spiritual growth. Devastating because you are less equipped to resist the temptation of sin. Devastating because you are not equipped to resist false doctrine. Devastating because you are not equipped to share your faith with others that they might be saved.

You need to devote quality time to things that count for eternity that matter to God, just as you spend time for the things of this life that matter to you.

Someone has said, “Life is short, death is sure, sin the cause, Christ the cure.” Another has said, “Only one life, will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” These were statements I read on silk Bible bookmarks received in Sunday school many years ago. Focus on their truth and set your priorities accordingly.

Sometimes a command is given indirectly, as by example, or by implication. How about:

Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”

You won’t find those words if you don’t search for them. To eat those words means to feed spiritually on those words you find–by meditating on them, as you repeatedly think about them and explore their implications. If you do that, you too will rejoice in God’s Word.

Matthew 12:5, “Have ye not read in the law…”

Jesus expected his hearers to have spent time reading God’s written Word to the point that they would know these things. By implication, therefore, this often-repeated question of Jesus (follow carefully the cross references given for this verse to see just how often) asserts a command to read, know, rightly divide, and follow the teaching of Scripture.

2. A promise to claim and believe. (Any conditions?)

While not obvious to the casual reader, the careful reader will learn by a careful, even meticulous study of the promises in the Bible, that there are both conditions and limitations to some of even the most loved promises in the Bible. It is possible to mistakenly lay claim to a promise that was not necessarily intended in the way a surface reading of the text seems to support.

Some promises made originally to the nation of Israel, when based upon principles God has declared in His Word to be applicable for all time, can be claimed by us today.

I have discussed a number of these promises in depth here on this site, including 2 Chronicles 7:14, a passage for which I have shared here my most complete collection of cross references. I have discussed in “Politics and the Bible” the matter of the national debt. National debt is a result of the curse, not the blessing of God, according to Deuteronomy 28:44. The same chapter indicates most clearly that natural disasters such as storms and drought are sometimes brought about by God as a judgment upon a nation for flagrantly violating His commandments and making laws that clearly are not in accordance with His revealed will in Scripture. See Deuteronomy 28:24 with Deuteronomy 11:16, 17 and Amos 4:7. Many Christians, even Christian leaders, have expressed a contrary opinion. My advice to them is go back and study your Bible some more. You have forgotten that Psalm 9:17 is still in the Bible, with all its far-reaching implications for all nations of the earth, as well as the individuals which comprise them.

But on the other hand, there are some promises that may have unexpressed limitations regarding to whom they are valid. The most recent and shocking example I found in my recent study is Matthew 17:20,

Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

This promise appears fully valid only to the persons to whom it was directly given at the time, namely, Christ’s Apostles.

I believe Sir Robert Anderson has discussed this verse in an Appendix to his book, The Silence of God, and throughout the book has discussed the discouragement many have faced when sincere prayers for a specific need offered in faith by believers have gone unanswered. I have discussed on this site more about unanswered prayer in terms of what the Bible says about it than you are likely to find anywhere else, using more complete cross references that I have furnished for Psalm 66:18 in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. Because this topic continues to concern me, I have been working on the task to expand the cross references for Matthew 17:20, and I share them for your prayerful study, since Sir Robert Anderson does not furnish a satisfactory Biblical study of the issue:

20. Because. Mt 17:17. +Mt 9:2. 13:58. 14:30, 31. Lk 17:6. Jn 11:40. He 3:19. unbelief. +Mt 6:30. 16:8. Nu 20:12. Jg 16:20. Mk 16:14. Lk 8:25. 12:28. for verily. +Mt 5:18. If. FS184C, +Mt 4:9. faith. Note: That is, as Bp. Pearce well remarks, a thriving and increasing faith, like a grain of mustard seed, which, from being the least of seeds, becomes the greatest of all herbs. Mt 8:13. *Mt 21:21, 22. %Ho 5:15. Mk 5:36. *Mk 11:23. Lk 17:6. Ac 3:16. 1 Cor 12:9. 13:2, 8n. %2 Cor 5:7. 6:13. %2 Tim 4:20. He 11:32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. Jas 5:15. a grain. FS138B, +Ge 13:16. Mt 13:31. Mk 4:31. Lk 13:19. this mountain. The Rabbins were termed rooters up of mountains, because they were dexterous in removing difficulties (CB). Mt 17:1, 9. *Mk 11:22, 23, 24. Lk 17:6. 1 Cor 13:2. nothing. Mt 14:29. Jb 22:30. 42:2. Mk 9:23. Lk 1:37. 18:27.

The % symbol means a contrasting verse, and in the above cross reference Bible study for Matthew 17:20 the indicated passages MUST be carefully taken into account in arriving at a proper understanding of the teaching of Scripture.

I’ve waxed rather long-winded on the first two points, but these matters are crucial. I’ll just give my outline for the remaining points about what to watch for as you read a passage of Scripture:

3. A sin to forsake or an error to avoid.

I could and ought to say much about this. But there are many other posts and discussions here on this site that address these matters, including the October 2010 Archives articles about the Rules of Interpretation.

4. A prayer to echo, or something for which to praise God.

5. Something about God the Father, the Holy Spirit, or Jesus.

For teasers, concerning God the Father: Which attribute of God revealed in the Bible reflects His central character? Calvinists think that God’s Sovereignty is His central controlling attribute. But they are almost always wrong, deriving their doctrine from Augustine not the Bible. Love is God’s controlling attribute and declarative of his basic character, as directly stated in 1 John 4:8,

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Concerning the Holy Spirit: Contrary to the assertions of false cults, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Holy Spirit is a person, for only a person can brood or grieve (Genesis 1:2; Ephesians 4:30);

Concerning Jesus: Jesus is Jehovah, not only the Son of God, but literally God the Son, for the Bible lets us know in the story of Abraham in Genesis 19 and surrounding context that Abraham saw Jesus, just as Jesus claimed as recorded in John 8:56, and at Genesis 19:24 there are two Jehovah’s on the scene, one on earth speaking to Abraham, and one in heaven sending down destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah for their exceeding sinfulness, a sin mistakenly today given special protection under law, which surely merits and brings God’s judgment. Paul tells us that no one who is an unbeliever can affirm that Jesus is Jehovah (1 Corinthians 12:3).

6. The best verse.

Make the best verse–the one that strikes you as you have read–the object of further study by looking up its cross references. A good verse to start from is Colossians 1:10.

7. The main lesson.

8. Something from the above which you can apply to your life now.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 8C–Characteristics of a good Bible study

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Jerry

C. Five Characteristics of a Good Bible Study

I sometimes wonder if most Christians have any idea of what a Bible study is. Many equate it to a Sunday school lesson based on a Quarterly. There admittedly seems little enthusiasm or interest in Bible study, not even personal Bible study. I think this is because neither pastors nor lay people have ever experienced or engaged in Real Bible Study.

So, what would a good Bible study look like?

A good Bible study is:

1. Original. It does not come out of a commercially prepared Bible study booklet or even book.

Real Bible study starts with the Bible itself. I recommend that you start with a plain text Bible. Study your chosen verse, chapter, book, or subject as far as you can on your own first.

Real Bible study is original. Reference books should be consulted after prayerful diligence and meditation fail to bring light to a passage.

2. Systematic.

I have discussed in the preceding parts of this series on Methods of Bible Study the steps that should be taken in a good Bible study.

The main step is to actually read the Bible for yourself. When you encounter a subject of concern or special interest, dig deeper. If you find a verse that is striking, memorize it. As you learn a verse “by heart,” be sure to memorize its “address,” the book, chapter, and verse number too. As you memorize, think about the verse. For example, ask what does this verse say about my responsibility? What does this verse say about God’s responsibility? These two questions will help emphasize and apply the truth of a great many verses in the Bible.

3. Written.

At the last high school where I taught in Detroit, there was a very instructive sign in large letters posted on the Security Office door:

“If it is not written, it did not happen.”

The same is true for personal Bible study. I have shared many of the results of my written personal Bible studies in this series on Methods of Bible Study. You can use my examples as patterns for your own use. You can also devise your own ideas or techniques to record what you have studied and what you have learned.

4. Communicable

When you have really done the business of personal Bible study so it becomes a part of you, you will be excited and able to share what you have learned with someone else. Sharing the results of your study will help you retain the results of your study, or what you have learned.

People in the world get very excited and enthusiastic about a host of subjects, and share their excitement and pleasure with others most freely. We who study God’s Word are surely enjoying the most important Book in the world, a Book that contains the most important Message in the world. We ought to be more willing to share our excitement with a willing listener. As it stands, there seems to be little communication about the Bible even at church. People are in such a hurry to leave the morning service that they do not take the time to talk about the Lord and His Word. Thus, churches are not structured for fellowship, but they ought to be.

5. Personal.

It is personal because it is your own. It is not a “canned” Bible study gotten second-hand from someone else. Personal Bible study supplies you with the daily spiritual food you must have if you are to grow and thrive spiritually. If you are not personally feeding on God’s Word daily, you may be experiencing spiritual starvation. Now you have here a recipe to prepare your own spiritual meals, with more to follow.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 8B–Personal Appropriation

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Jerry

B. Appropriate the Word of God personally by these five steps:

1. Meditate

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

2. Memorize

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

Deu 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

Pro 7:1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Pro 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Pro 7:3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

3. Study

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

4. Read

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

5. Hear

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 8A–Devotional & Practical

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Jerry

A. Objectives of Personal Bible Study

1. Fellowship with God

Recall I mentioned before that when we read and study the Bible, God talks to us through His written word in the Bible. We talk to Him through prayer. We talk for Him when we engage others in conversation about God, the Bible, and spiritual things.

Talking to others about spiritual things is sometimes called witnessing. People are most interested in spiritual things. Should they find out that you are too, they will often ask questions. Those questions may even challenge you to get to know the Bible better for yourself so you will have an adequate answer to share (1 Peter 3:15) with gentleness and respect.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

a) Work out from the Bible passage you are studying a principle true for anyone who belongs to God, or a principle true for individuals in parallel situations.

b) Ask, What in this passage applies to:

(1) A believer’s relationship to God

(2) A believer’s relationship to other believers

On this website I have furnished a most detailed study of Romans 15:7 with a full discussion and application of all the cross references I have gathered for this verse–more than you can find anywhere else.

In this day and age ALL Christians need to study Romans 15:7, and apply the lessons taught by the cross referenced passages to their own life and church.

Rom 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

See the Category here, “Verse-by-Verse Studies” listed on the right side of this page, for my multi-part verse-by-verse study of Romans 15:7.

(3) Relationship to unbelievers

This could involve people at work, family members, even a spouse, friends and acquaintances, neighbors, relatives.

(4) A believer’s responsibility for himself or herself

This involves:

(a) learning how to feed one’s self spiritually on a daily basis from God’s Word, the Bible.

Learn how to prepare good spiritual meals for yourself. The materials and the recipes are discussed frequently on this site, and are addressed in some detail in this post, so keep reading, and come back to read this again, and more besides!

(b) learning how to develop a sound personal outlook

If you feel discouraged or depressed, know where to go in the Bible for encouragement. The book of Philippians in the New Testament is a wonderful resource to study to develop a deeper joy in Christ. See also Philippians 4:8,

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Other helpful Bible chapters include Psalm 34, Psalm 37, Psalm 23, and John 14.

(c) attitude

Php_2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

(d) growth

2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

(e) How to avoid defeat

Put on the whole armor of God to withstand the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

These things are most needful. Every Bible-believing Christian needs to be active daily in doing these things. The Subject Index in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge under the subjects Christian graces (page 1551), Priorities (page 1569), and Values (page 1579) will lead you to many areas of Bible study helpful to development of Christian character and spiritual growth.

(f) develop spiritual maturity

The qualities underlying spiritual maturity are carefully discussed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 5:3-12.

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Just reading these verses won’t do. You must study them. The best way to study them is to read all the cross referenced passages given for each of these verses as they are found in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible.

2. Find directions from God for the decisions of life.

I placed extensive notes in 1 Kings 12 and 13 on the subject of divine guidance in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge which I retained in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. Study those notes!

3. Study the commands of God and the Commands of Christ for daily living.

You can recognize these as you come upon them in your reading and study of the Bible. I have listed these exhaustively in a note in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at 1 John 2:3.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4. Read the Bible to notice the direction it gives for dialog and witness to others about the things of God.

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

There you have it–Part A of my outline that goes to Part H in the notes I made many years ago in my Oxford Loose Leaf Bible when I was the sponsor (by request of the school administration) of the Bible Discussion Club at Cass Technical High School during the last half of the 1960s and the first half of the 1970s.

I think these ideas are still of value today, so I share them with you. It looks like I will need to post “Methods of Bible Study Part 8–Devotional and Practical Study” in several separate articles to keep this material from becoming too long.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 7–Topical Study

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Jerry

VII. Study Topics of Interest

A. Some outside tools are essential:

1. A Concordance:

a) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is the most complete, accurate, and generally useful. The equivalent help is available in Bible software, such as the e-Sword Bible program by Rick Meyers downloadable free at www.e-Sword.net.

b) Young’s Analytical Concordance

c) J. B. Smith’s Statistical and Tabular Greek-English Concordance

d) The Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance

e) The Englishman’s Greek Concordance

2. A Topical Index

a) The New Topical Textbook with an introduction by R. A. Torrey

b) Inglis, A Topical Dictionary of Bible Texts

3. A complete source of cross references

a) The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. This resource is often available in Bible software, but as good as it is, it still contains many printing errors from the nineteenth century when it was originally created.

b) The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. This resource is no longer available new from the publisher in book form, but is sometimes available second hand from Amazon. It has much better print than the original Treasury, far more cross references, with most of the errors in the original source corrected. It also features seven indexes which work well for topical Bible study, particularly the Subject Index and the Topic Number Index. The New Treasury is available in software from Thomas Nelson and is also available in the Logos 4 software.

c) Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. This is almost identical to the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, but has no indexes or chapter headings, and lacks the notes from the original Treasury or the New Treasury. The cross references are actually more complete, but consolidated to reduce duplication. The volume is more portable, and the page format makes it even easier to consult the cross references. This resource is currently available in book form.

B. The general rule is, locate ALL the Bible says on the subject or topic. This cannot be done without using the Bible study tools listed above.

Using a concordance alone won’t work because a subject may be expressed under other words, and a concordance will not lead you to those words.

Topical indexes alone won’t work to find all that is on the subject, because even the best of those is not complete. Using a Thompson Chain Reference Bible and Nave’s Topical Bible will lead you to much of the material that pertains to a topic, but they will not lead you to all the material.

To be sure you have found all the relevant material in the Bible that pertains to the subject of your study, you must make use of a good source of cross references to the Bible.

C. When studying a Bible topic, be sure to carefully note and distinguish both the similarities as well as the differences in things which are similar but not identical.

Failure to observe this rule of Bible study and interpretation has led to much misunderstanding of what the Bible actually teaches.

D. Christ is in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27); find Him there (John 5:39. Isaiah 34:16).

E. Outline your findings once you have gathered all the information in the Bible on your chosen topic for study.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 6–Biography Study

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Jerry

VI. Study Persons Mentioned–Biography Study

As you study a Bible person, write out the information you find that answers the following:

A. Pre-natal influences

1. Take note who the person’s parents are.

It is both interesting and instructive to notice whether the parents were good or bad, and whether the parents were a good or bad influence on the person being studied.

2. Note family and social background.

3. What does the person’s name mean, as well as the person’s parents’ names?

B. Childhood experiences

C. Outline the crises in the person’s life.

D. What did the person say about himself or herself?

E. What did other persons say about the person?

F. If the person had children, list them, and give the meaning of their names.

G. With whom is the person contemporary:

1. Other Bible characters
2. Secular history

H. What major lessons and applications can we find for today from this person’s life and experience?

Make an exhaustive study of all references to this person found in the Bible during these studies.

To do this study, make use of study tools as needed. Sometimes a concordance, or a study Bible, or a dictionary of Bible names, a source of complete cross references, will prove helpful.

Many years ago I purchased a little book at John’s Bible and Bookstore in Detroit. I have only more recently begun to read the book. Now that I began reading it, I have discovered it is a careful study of families in the Bible, and the impact of parents upon their children recorded in Scripture. The book is titled To the Parents of My Grandchildren by a Grandfather. The book was published in Hongkong, was available at the Christian Book Room in Singapore, and at one time was available from Bible Truth Publishers in Oak Park, Illinois.

This is a very suitable subject for home school Bible study. I have used this outline when teaching high school English classes. One of my students was only interested in reading or studying material related to the Bible. I kept her profitably occupied the entire year by preparing materials in the form of reading selections and written assignments that met her interests.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 5–Word Study

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Jerry

V. Study of the Original Language Words

A. This is the first Bible study method suggested here which requires an outside Bible study tool, namely, an exhaustive concordance.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is best for the whole Bible. Young’s Analytical Concordance is another possible choice. For the New Testament alone, J. B. Smith’s Tabular Greek-English Concordance is the best choice.

Bible software packages often contain features which will also permit original language word study. The e-Sword Bible software available at www.e-sword.net for free is one example.

The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. Most of us are readers of the English Bible, which is a translation from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek.

It so happens that when translating words from one language into equivalent words in another language that there is never a perfect match between them. Each language possesses its own unique idioms, grammar, and words themselves possess unique semantic features like connotation and denotation which are never exactly matched between languages. But these features are what makes word study very interesting.

But these features also lead to certain hazards, common mistakes and fallacies which need to be avoided when doing word study. There is even a “word study fallacy,” and it frequently occurs when authors and students over-refine word meanings beyond the evidence, or fail to observe the distinctions or refinements required by the evidence, or fail to account for the meaning of words as defined by the context or contexts where they occur. The meaning of a word is not determined by a dictionary definition alone, or the definition featured in a Greek or Hebrew lexicon. Where (and how) did the dictionary or lexicon get its definition? By careful study, students of words must learn to get the definitions of words from the same place they do, and that place is the many contexts where the word is used.

B. It often happens that one Greek word is translated by several English words, or that one English word word is a translation of several different words in the New Testament.

C. Make up a chart to display how a word has been translated.

As mentioned before, my keyboard won’t let me create the charts I have made for my own notes, so I’ll have to present the same information as an outline.

An interesting and instructive word to start with is the Greek word argos, αργος, Strong’s Dictionary Number G692.

This Greek word is translated by the English words:

idle

Matthew 12:36. 20:3, 6, 6.
1 Timothy 5:13, 13.

slow

Titus 1:12

barren

2 Peter 1:8

Looking more particularly at Matthew 12:36 and 2 Peter 1:8,

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It might be possible to properly suggest that an “idle word” is a word that is “barren” or unfruitful, that produces no good result.

Some words can be profitably studied with a view to practical understanding and application. Other words may be studied because they have an important bearing upon Bible doctrine.

A careful, even meticulous study of “atonement words” in the New Testament will demonstrate that currently popular and fervently believed doctrines pertaining to the atonement of Christ are very mistaken. Such a study would involve not only specific words relating to atonement, but a study of grammatically associated prepositions used with atonement words. Careful discrimination of how such words are used in atonement contexts would show there is a difference to be accounted for compared to how these prepositions are used generally. That, of course, is a somewhat deeper study than most English Bible readers are equipped to pursue. But it is a most important study.

Similarly, there are many mistaken notions held about the doctrine of eternal punishment, and the place where it takes place, namely the doctrine of hell.

The English word hell is used to translate two different Greek words, hades and gehenna, in the New Testament. To further the confusion, the Greek word hades is once translated “grave” at 1 Corinthians 15:55.

This is hardly justification to suggest that hades always designates “grave,” or “the common grave of mankind,” for there are other Greek (and Hebrew) words which more regularly and properly designate “grave.”

Similarly, even more confusion arises over the words “soul” and “spirit.” Few have accounted for all the lexical categories these words possess as they are used in the Bible. Failure to observe all the nuances of the many categories has led to much false doctrine and a misrepresentation of what the Bible teaches. The basic error engaged in is failure to make a complete induction of all the evidence the Bible presents. I have presented the lexical categories in both The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible in full.

A practical study may be made of the word “meditate” starting from Genesis 24:63.

Gen 24:63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

The Hebrew word is Strong Number H7742.

This word occurs 22 times and is translated by eight different English words in the King James or Authorized Version:

commune

Psalm 77:6.

complain

Job 7:11. Psalm 77:3.

declare

Isaiah 53:8.

meditate

Genesis 24:63. Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 78, 148.

muse

Psalm 143:5.

pray

Job 15:4. Psalm 55:17.

speak

Judges 5:10. Job 12:8. Psalm 69:12. 145:5.

talk

1 Chronicles 16:9. Psalms 77:12. 105:2. 119:27. Proverbs 6:22.

I wrote the following observations and conclusions while I was a student in high school, if I recall correctly:

1. Observe the following rule of interpretation: The rendering which is most frequent (in this case, “meditate,” 6 times) is the basic meaning of the word.

For example, in 2 Peter 1:20, it is stated that “no prophecy is of any private interpretation.” Many believe that this indicates that we, as individuals, must not seek to interpret Scripture. Thus they would foist upon the text this reading: “no portion of Scripture can be interpreted by individual persons”–which they claim is the correct sense.

The whole problem lies with the meaning of “private.” This English word occurs but once as the translation of the underlying Greek word in the English New Testament. But the Greek word occurs more than 170 times in the New Testament. It is rendered “its own” 90% of the time. Thus the passage should read “no prophecy of Scripture is of its own interpretation”–that is, the scope of any prophetic statement must be understood in the light of the whole body of prophetic truth revealed in Scripture. [Another valid option is to understand “their own” as a reference to the authors of prophecy did not write their own opinion, but wrote as they were inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit, a meaning supported by the immediate context. Both options are doubtless true.]

2. Compare the renderings in several modern speech translations. The Hebrew word underlying “meditate” outlined above is also translated “consider,” “quiet worship,” “my mind goes over your acts,” “declare and proclaim,” “relate wondrous works,” “meditate and make a noise.”

Analyzing and arranging these renderings, the word involves three concepts in Christian living:

(1) quiet worship–thinking upon God’s Acts;
(2) meditation–thinking upon God’s Words;
(3) proclamation–getting others to think of God’s words and acts.

To which I would add,

(4) prayer–talking to God.

The Christian walk could be seen as a three-legged stool:

(1) As we read God’s Word, He talks to us;
(2) As we pray, we talk to Him;
(3) As we witness to others, we talk for Him.

All three activities are essential to the Christian walk and life. A stool won’t stand up if it has less than three legs.

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Methods of Bible Study Part 4–Key Words

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Jerry

IV. Analysis by Key Words

A. Key Words are words and expressions which occur frequently throughout the book.

This kind of study works especially well when making a study of the shorter books in the New Testament called epistles or letters.

B. Key Words can most readily be found when studying the King James or Authorized Version and other word-for-word more literal translations of the Bible. I just checked the English Standard Version (ESV), and I see it is literal enough to make this kind of study for the key words in the book of 1 John.

C. Observe and take note of the key words you find that are repeated in the book being studied.

Analysis by Key Words, 1 John

1. abide

1 John 2:6, 10, 14, 17, 24, 27, 28. 3:6, 9. 4:12, 13, 15.

1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1Jn 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

The word “remaineth” translates the same Greek word rendered “abide” in the verses reproduced from chapter 2 of 1 John. The word “dwell” in the references to 1 John 4:12, 13, 15 likewise translates the same Greek word otherwise more often rendered “abide.” Knowing this enriches our understanding of the original language word involved.

2. born of God

1 John 3:9. 4:7. 5:1, 4, 18.

3. commandments

1 John 2:3, 4, 7, 8. 3:22, 23. 4:21. 5:2, 3.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

1Jn 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4. know

1 John 2:3, 4, 13, 14, 20, 29. 3:14, 15, 19. 4:2, 6, 13. 5:2, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20.

D. It is often helpful to write out or chart the key word and the phrase in which it occurs.

II Timothy, Analysis by Key Words

Once again I am hampered and stymied by this keyboard and my lack of knowledge on how to create and post a chart, so I will describe the format but display only an outline.

The chart has headings for four columns. The headings, placed across on the first horizontal line, are “word,” “chapter,” “verse,” and “the phrase noted.” The first column must be wide enough to accommodate the word, perhaps an inch and a half. The chapter column can be narrow, perhaps 3/8 inches. The verse column can be a bit wider, perhaps an inch. The remaining much wider column for the phrase being noted will take the remaining space to the right on the page.

1. word: remember

2 T 1:3.

Paul remembers without ceasing, Timothy, night and day in his prayers.

2 T 1:5.

Paul remembers Timothy’s sincere and real faith.

2. word: serve

2 T 1:3.

Paul serves God.

2 T 2:3b

serves as a soldier of Christ

2 T 2:4

separated for service

2 T 2:15

study for service

Try this method of Bible study for yourself on one or more of the shorter books in the New Testament. You will find it helps to get into the word of God, and requires only a plain text Bible–always the best starting point for Real Bible Study.

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