Why is bible study important? Well, first of all, this is one of the ways that we hear from God. In the word, God has planted his love story for us, and with that his calling on our life. If we really want to understand who God is, and who he created us to be, what better place to find it then in the word? "Studying the scripture can equip, guide and reveal how to live in life-giving ways that deepen our friendship with God and others." - Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
The book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, lists a few different approaches to studying the bible:
1. Artist method
- Read a passage of scripture and ask yourself the following three questions:
i. What speaks to my heart? then draw a heart next to that scripture
ii. What new thought or idea comes to me? then draw a lightbulb
iii. What does Scripture move me to do? then draw a hand
2. Detective method
- Read a short passage from one of the Gospels, then play "detective"
- Ask who, when, where and what questions
- Dig deeper into the passage and really understand what is going on in the minds and words of the writer(s)
3. Treasure-seeker Method
- This very simply looks at a passage and says: What idea, commandment, or promise can I find?
- This tends to bring different results to different people, because everyone finds their own meaning to verses.
4. Jesus' apprentice method
- Choose one of the Gospels (Mark of Luke) and just follow Jesus' life looking for what seems important
- How does Christ live His life?
- What is important to Christ?
- How can I become more like Him?
Hi Justin
ReplyDeleteI hope all is going well with your schooling. I like your posts and I see no one is commenting so I will.
I have not read the Spiritual Disciplines book, but I like the concept as you have stated it here. It seems loosely related (parts 2 and 3 to the four methods of interpretation which are acronymed as so: PaRDeS (Orchard)
P = Pashat - (simple) literal meaning, the starting point for all scripture study.
R = Remez - (hint)a deeper meaning not readily visible
D = D'rash - (concept) One could take two seemingly different verses and combine them to form yet a third meaning. This is also where one would make the verse personal for life application.
S = Sud - (hidden) Digging deep in the Word the hidden seeds can be uncovered, for example how so many scriptures in the OT foreshadow Jesus when examined in depth. Even the hidden secrets in the meanings of the names of the geneaologies.
How do we know there is hidden meaning and that we are meant to dig for it?
Proverbs 25:2 The honour of God is to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.
And according to Paul we all are kings and priests.
Number four from the book is cool. WWJD. When someone asks me where to start in Bible study my first response is read the red words. If they are committed, then I ask them to find the places in the OT that match what Jesus said since most of those things He said were quotes from the OT. Compare the OT to the NT.
The Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament - The New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament
Keep up the good work.