5-RF OT 04 Reference Materials - How to do a Book Study

How to do a book study (Begin with a shorter book so you do not get discouraged) Start with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you understanding. Listen to the text being read on a CD or online Write down anything that catches your attention. Things that sounds like a contradiction Things you do not understand Things that apply to your life Listen to get the big picture or follow the main ideas; do not be concerned about details in this step. Scan thru the book twice, writing down information and looking for details. First look for anything about the author: who he is; when and where he lives; where he goes; what his message is. Then look for anything about the conditions: politically, economically and spiritually. Begin reading the book, putting the story or teaching into the background you wrote down. Try to put yourself in the situation so you can feel or respond to what is happening. Look at footnotes in your Bible or a commentary on that book to clear up what you do not understand. A good study book will tell you about the culture and meanings of phrases and words. Look for the main point of the author. If it is warning and rebuke, what is it for and why? If it is encouragement, what is the problem? If it is teaching, what is the lesson? Then ponder what it has to do with your life and how to apply it. Studying a book will take a lot of time and effort, but what you learn will be worth it. It is the method used for all of these lessons.