Bible study styles....

[BrokenGhost]

What are the different ways to study, and what are the aims/goals of each said style.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

What are the different ways to study, and what are the aims/goals of each said style.

I like to study revelation using Exodus and Joshua.
Btw, what Altar do you reckon is being measured in reve 11:1

Revelation 11:1:And given to me a reed like unto [a] staff saying: Be Ye Arousing! and Measure Ye! the Sanctuary/Naos of God, and the Altar and the Ones worshipping in it 2 And the Court [#833], the one without[#2081] the Sanctuary/Naos [#3485] be Casting- Out! [#1544] Out-side [#1854] and ye should not be measuring it/her, because it/she was given to the nations/gentiles, and the city, the holy, they shall be treading [#3961] for 40 and 2 months.

 

[jon914]

What are the different ways to study, and what are the aims/goals of each said style.

I have taught many people, but not to many really want to be taught. I would tell you that if you really want to understand what God is saying. ie take I John and read it through each day for a month. If it is Matthew dived it by 3 and read it through in a month.

While studying ask yourself this:
Who is speaking
Whom is he speaking too.
What was the subject or question.
Why was the question asked
When did this subject enter the book
Where were they when speaking

You do this and you will know and understand


John914

 

[daveleau]

Topical studies are one method. Taking a topic and exegeting all Scripture on that one topic to recognize God's overall guidance on a topic.

Systematic book studies are another method. Basically, take a book and go through it in detail studying each clause and using other Scripture as a commentary on that book.

These are the two main ways I study and teach. In each, I look at the history behind the setting, the audience, the lexical characteristics and the genre of the passages. This helps in getting to the author's intended meaning, which is the crux of good interpretation.

 

[JTLauder]

Before talking about the different ways how you can study the Bible, it's helpful to first distinguish what you can study. As has been mentioned, you can do topical studies, whole Book studies, character studies, etc. So how are the different approaches to studying the Bible?

Personal/Devotional Study has less emphasis on "study" and is more focused on meditation and reflection. It's using the Bible to nurture you and your communication with God as you spend time with reading his word and in prayer. People also call this "Personal Quiet Time" or "Devotions".

There's deductive and inductive Bible studies. These two approaches are the opposite of each other, but it's helpful to talk about them together to compare how they are different.
Deductive Bible study starts out with a basic premise, topic, assumption, objective, or conclusion and you find supportive evidence to prove the basic conclusion. Topical studies utilize the deductive method: You pick a topic (e.g., "Love") and you look at the passage that talk about love. Deductive Bible studies are the method used in lecture-type studies where the Bible study leader is regarded as the "expert" leading the class in the direction to the objective/topic of the study. The problem with deductive study is that it's too easy to get railroaded and take things out of context. Whatever you do, don't simply look up words in the concordance to pick and choose verses without first reading the entire context of those verses.

Inductive Bible study is the oppositive of deductive study. You start out with no precepts or assumptions whatsoever, and that's how you approach the passage of study. You observe, ask questions, and formulate interpretations and applications based solely on the passage with no preconceptions. In this way, you examine the evidence (Bible passage) first before you draw your conclusion. This approach is much more conducive to active participation by the whole Bible study group and the Bible Study leader is merely the facilitator of the discusion. But this approach takes a little getting used to and is best learned in a group before tackling on your own.

Another way to look at the differences is that in deductive study, you are following someone else's study (because someone had to do the study to put together the study), and inductive study is where you study and learn on your own.

And if you want to really seriously study the Bible, try an expository study. This method takes an inductive study approach, but is more indepth as you look up original meaning of words, historical & cultural contexts, and other reference materials.

A note should be made about reference materials. A good concordance like Strong's Concordance is the second essential book next to your Bible for any type of Bible study. A lot of people become fanatical about a particular Bible translation, but in the end they are ALL still translations. It can be helpful to look at different translations in your study, but unless you can read ancient Hebrew and Greek, a concordance will help in original meanings of words. Next to Strong's concordance, Vine's Expository Dictionary is also highly recommended. Following that, a Bible dictionary or two can be extremely helpful too as they can give background information. One of the first reference material people turn to are commentaries, but they should be the very last things you look at. Yes, commentaries can give you insight on passages that you never would have considered, but they are still just another person's interpretation. Regard commentaries as just that--another person in the room contributing your your study, but NOT the definitive authority.

 

[jhsaurbaugh]

I like to study the bible from a Dispensational view. I am not strictly dispensational though. I want to know what all the bible teaches.

 

[sunlover1]

I have taught many people, but not to many really want to be taught. I would tell you that if you really want to understand what God is saying. ie take I John and read it through each day for a month. If it is Matthew dived it by 3 and read it through in a month.

While studying ask yourself this:
Who is speaking
Whom is he speaking too.
What was the subject or question.
Why was the question asked
When did this subject enter the book
Where were they when speaking

You do this and you will know and understand


John914

Awesome.

Also, meditating on the Word of God. When you come to a passage that has you stumped, you can pray and meditate on that one passage until it becomes clear.
Cross referencing is another thing that helps me a ton.

sunlover

 

[favored_one]

Well, I have seen it suggested on another forum to do the "Bible in a Year" reading plan while at the same time doing a personal study of 1 to 2 chapters per day. I will be trying this next year because I can't finish this reading plan because I start to study. It will sometimes take me an hour to study a chapter. I like to read it in at least 2 other translations besides my KJV, make MANY notes in the margin, and possibly look at a commentary or two. I also try to highlight a verse for memorization.

 

[Zeena]

The Holy Spirit aught to be the One leading us into all truth!

To attempt this in the power of your own strength is to rely on man, rather than God :o

 

[A Brother In Christ]

2 peter 1:19-21

matt 5:18

acts 1:16

2 sam 23:2

1 peter 1:10

2 tim 3:16

1 cor 2:9-12

 

[jane1]

As John914 said --
who,what,where,when,why etc .... keep the word in context else the meaning is lost or twisted.

Myself I like to use various bible versions and various study aids -- including Bible.org. By using different versions and sources I get a better depth/breadth of meaning.

Also I use a conservative Rabbi to help with insight into the OT. No better teacher !

 

[jane1]

ALSO,

Be careful who your local bible study leaders and group members are.
I've abandoned more than one group whose leader
didn't encourcage meaningful discussion and one who put forth mis-information ! YIKES.

Ask questions. Use discernment.

 

[silentpoet]

I am in a current stage of mass consumption. I am reading the bible through in 40 days. For me this is not much of a challenge, but enough that I have to be focused on completing it. Once I am done, I will focus on topical study for awhile. I have a study plan for joy. And then who knows, I have read 2 books on reading the bible and still have another once I finish the bible.

I plan as I say to go topical once I finish the complete bible. As I mentioned the books, well they have given me much to consider as I read. The main one being consider the context. Both what it says now to us in a holistic integrated view of the passage and also in terms of what it meant to the original audience. Also to consider the bible one whole book and not to take so seriously the differences between old and new testament. Consider it one Word, not two.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Deleted.

 

[Chickapee]

The Holy Spirit aught to be the One leading us into all truth!

To attempt this in the power of your own strength is to rely on man, rather than God :o

amen ! good word ! have your faith before God romans 14

we have a more sure Word ! We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were]

'' moved by ''the Holy Ghost.

peace and Gods grace , C