Digging Deep

Search and Explore

Definition of Study: Heb. ḥāqar: to explore, to search out

become an explorer, a student, a learner

If we don’t search and explore, we are at the mercy of potentially deceptive teaching!

Acts 17:11 NLT

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

2 Timothy 4:3 NLT

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Process & Techniques

Ecclesiastes 12:9 NLT

Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.

Topical Study

Compile

Consider

Conclude

Devotional Study (SOAP)

Pray

Psalm 119:18 NLT

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Read

Observe

Interpret

Apply

Matthew 17:14–16 NLT

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

Pace Yourself

Ecclesiastes 12:12 NLT

But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

Find a rhythm

1x week?

1-2x month?

Share it with others

provides accountability

keeps you from being isolated and misinterpretation

is a gift to you and others