Methods of Bible Study Part 8G–Meditation

G. Helps to Meditation

1. What is the main truth of this verse?

2. What other Scripture can I find to illuminate this verse?

This is a most important help to meditation missed by many Bible readers. As you read the Bible yourself, using a plain text Bible, starting with the New Testament, it should strike you that the same theme or subject is mentioned in more than one place. At my first reading, I marked those places, and created my own cross references. I shared with my friends at the time that Bible reading is a good thing. I suggested, “Three chapters a day will keep the Devil away.” Well, I can’t give a direct chapter and verse to prove that, but experience bears me out. A saying popular to place in the front flyleaf of a Bible in those days was, “This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book!”

Beyond noting the verses you have spotted yourself which illuminate the passage upon which you are meditating, take the time and effort to follow the cross references given in your reference Bible, should you be fortunate enough to have one. The greatest number of cross references will be found given in books devoted exclusively to cross reference Bible study: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible.

3. Is there a word or part of this verse I do not understand?

Should there be a word you do not understand, consulting a dictionary may help. Consulting a different Bible translation may provide clarification. Consulting a Bible dictionary is often helpful. Using a lexicon which defines the meaning of the underlying Greek or Hebrew word can also add depth to your understanding. I spoke of word study at length ealier in this series.

4. Is there a command or word of advice in this verse to obey or follow?

5. Is there a good example to follow?

6. Is there a sin or mistake to avoid?

7. Is there a warning to heed?

8. Is there a promise to claim?

9. Is there a prayer to echo?

10. How can I see my own experience reflected here?

11. How can I apply this Scripture to practical, every-day life?

12. How can I turn this verse into a prayer?

Many of the above points have been expanded upon in prior posts about Methods of Bible Study.

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