Bible Study 3

From this morning: The Holy Spirit guides (reminds in ch14) us into all truth. So we can relax and not worry so much about knowing scripture? No! To be reminded of it, we have to have been exposed to it before. Bible study is the process of giving the Holy Spirit something to work with.

Let’s talk quiet time.

Where? Same place keeps distractions to a minimum.

When? Same time builds consistency.

What do you bring? Familiarity?

Bible Study: Let’s mix it up. Maybe you always search for a new tool. Maybe you have a set you rotate through. New resources are being printed every day.

Verse-by-verse:

Natural progress from bible reading to bible study. Allows us to make use of that cross reference, moving through a paragraph or passage. We gain understanding of the larger body of work by understanding each piece. Even studying words individually.

Topical

Just as it sounds. Picking a topic and studying it. Could be a theme. Or a person.

Nave’s Topical Bible?

Bible Dictionary

Concordance

Both help give us a greater understanding of God and His work in the world.

When Teaching:

Questions are not answers! Whether studying or teaching, always leaving thoughts open ended is disruptive to most people. I love to throw out an open ended topic and bat it around for a while.

Heiser quote: There’s nothing better for keeping you humble as a Bible teacher than a critique by your spouse. Mine once told me I had the irritating habit of leaving questions unanswered when I taught scripture. I explained… They dont always have it down like they think they do. She was unfazed!

Inquisitiveness is not criticism. As a teacher we cant take it as such. (Challenging the truth presented is another matter.)

Discover whatever meaning the text gives. Let the Holy Spirit apply it.