BIBLE STUDY GUIDELINES

 

Bible is the written Word of God. It is one of the best ways by which God has revealed himself to us. It is the inspired and infallible word of God (2 Tim. 3:15-17). But God has used human gifts and skills in the process of putting his message into writing (2 Peter 1:21). Though written thousand of years ago, it is still relevant for people of all ages. This wonderful gift is given to us with the purpose to know the Triune God and to be transformed into his likeness. This purpose can be fulfilled only if we study and understand it.

 

Why Bible study?
1. Command from the Lord (Joshua 1:8)

2. For our spiritual growth (I Peter 2:2)

3. To defend our faith and oppose false teaching (2 Tim. 3:13-17; I Peter 3:15; Eph. 4:14)

4. To know the correct interpretation of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:2)

5. To keep away from sin and temptations (Psalm 119:9), e.g. Jesus’ temptation

6. To know the right directions (Psalm 119:105)

 

An ideal example:

Ezra 7:10- (i) Study (carefully, diligently)

(ii) Obey (apply, practice)

(iii) Teach (by word, by example)

 

Who qualifies to study the Bible?

A New heart (1 Cor. 2:10)

The one who is teachable (Isa. 50:4)

A hungry heart (I Peter 2:2)

An obedient (Psalm 119:98-100)

A disciplined (Matt. 7:7)

 

Desire to know, determination to obey

 

I.                  Personal Bible Study (PBS)

What is PBS?

PBS is simply an orderly procedure used to study the Bible in a personal basis resulting in the transformation of ones life. The Bible is used as the primary source of information.

 

Difference between Quit Time (QT) and PBS

QT- is the pre-requisite for PBS

QT- is daily, not a detailed study

PBS- not daily, but regular in depth study of God’s Word.

 

What are the tools?

Basic tools: Bible in mother tongue, note book (preferably in full-scale size)

Other tools: Study Bible, language dictionary (in mother tongue too), Bible in different translations for comparison, Bible concordance, Bible dictionary, Bible commentary.

 

Who is the Teacher?

Holy Spirit, the author of the Bible. Depend on him for wisdom, insight and understanding.

 

Preparation for PBS:

1.      Prayerfully selected a passage

2.      If possible read the whole Book once

3.      Read the passage 2 and 3 times (If you are having more than once Bible use different versions each reading)

4.      Read the passages that fall before and after the selected passage

5.      If only a part of a chapter is selected, read the whole chapter

6.      As you read note the questions that come to your mind in a separate paper. Don’t try to answer at this point.

 

# Method of study Bible

1.      Inductive method: Inductive method is the procedure of learning by observing a series of facts and then drawing a general conclusion i.e. moving from specific to the general. It focuses on a passage of scripture, break it down, and examine its details to draw out the meaning of the text.

2.      Deductive method: A “deductive” method of studying the Bible involves picking a certain topic and then going through the Bible and finding passages that support the topic. This is related to the “topical approach” to Bible study. It is moving from general to specific (e.g. topical sermon; “Sin leads to death” (Rom. 5:12, 6:23; Ezekiel 18:20 and Jer. 31:30). It is akin to topical Bible study like love of God.

 

The disadvantage of deductive Bible study is prior reasoning and biblical eisegesis. In other words, deductive Bible study can facilitate a person’s drawing a conclusion before the fact (a priori) of studying the biblical text or reading into it (eisegesis) his own meaning. Obviously, such a practice is dangerous and irresponsible because the conclusions that one might draw are often premature, subjective, and false.

 

# Importance of Inductive method:

1.      It is a universally valid way of examining biblical literature

2.      We can concentrate and study systematically

3.      There is a freedom to learn from the Holy Spirit

4.      We can easily teach others the Word of God

 

# Steps of preparation IBS:

1.      Pray- Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and help

2.      Read- Read the passage carefully

3.      Literary form- find out literary form of the text

(a)   Narrative/History/biography- The author describes historical event in sequences, record past events in the form of facts, stories, parables, account, etc. [e.g. most of the 17 historical books of the OT, Gospels, Acts (reveals truth indirectly)].

(b)   Discourse/Argument/Teaching- The writer presents, truths, ideas or concepts logically and systematically [E.g. Epistles, some parts of gospels (reveals truth directly].

(c)   Poetry- the author shares his own feeling (often intense and deep) and his reflections on life. Poetry makes extensive use of figurative language and poetical constructions. Words are not usually meant to be taken literally but the meaning and truth communicated is clear (e.g. Psalms, Lamentations).

(d)   Wisdom- Reflection about life, author testifies his observation of life (e.g. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

(e)   Prophecy- Disclosure of truth through symbols, visions as well purely divine revelations (reveals previously unknown truth). Forth telling- message about present/immediate time. Foretelling- message for the future. Prophecy could refers to a present or near fulfillment, future fulfillment, a two-fold fulfillment (near and future) e.g. Dan. 11:31.

(f)    Apocalyptic- visions, dreams, symbols, secrets of God’s plan (e.g. revelation, Daniel)

4.      Title: Give title/theme to the passage

5.      Structure: Try to understand the structure of the passage.

 

# Three basic steps of Inductive Bible study

1.      Observation- Finding what the text says (Picking out the fact). It is taking efforts to note what exactly is said in the Bible in its original terms. Observe the facts and their implications. Note things that need explanation.

$ Observation questions: who, where, when

 

2.      Interpretation- Finding what the text means. Interpretation is determining the meaning of the observed facts and what the author wanted to readers to understand then. Interpret the facts (and their implications) observed. Explain the meaning of the facts observed. What did the writer want the readers to understand “there” and “then”?

$ Interpretation questions: what, how, why,

 

3.      Application: Finding what the text means to me. Application is deriving the equivalent message that is relevant to my context, accepting it personally and responding actively to the truths that are revealed. Personally respond to the messages of the text.

 

II.               Group Bible Study

What is Group Bible Study?

Group Bible Study is PBS magnified. It is a group discussion where there is co-operating thinking and exchange of views, all based on the facts discovered from the Bible.

 

The aim of any Bible study is to gain fresh knowledge and insight about Christ in a life changing way.

 

GBS is not:

1.      Preaching

2.      One man shows (woman)

3.      Leader is not the focus

4.      More learning and teaching

 

Advantages:

1.       It helps one establish a regular pattern of study. Remember without PBS you cannot do GBS.

2.      God’s word is alive to you it is not likely to become alive to others.

3.      It enables one to check one’s own understanding of the text. It prevents reading between the lines.

4.      Each member contributes his own experiences in life and insights.

5.      Learn to know one another and to cultivate an honest, open relationship with others and their needs will be shared.

6.      Gives each individual an opportunity to speak freely.

7.      The individual starts to search the scriptures spontaneously before drawing hasty conclusion.

8.      Gives confidence to young students to lead the group.

9.      Provides opportunity to share about Jesus in a more sustained and progressive way

10.  It does not require a senior

11.  It can be held anywhere according to the convenience of the members.

 

Kinds of GBS:                          

1.      Evangelistic Bible Study- EBS

2.      Believers Bible Study- BBS

Difference between EBS and GBS

1.      Purpose

2.      Content

3.      Style

4.      Approach

5.      Application

 

Preparation for GBS

Basic rules:

1.      Select an appropriate passage

2.      Do your PBS thoroughly before going on to GBS

3.      The Bible is our textbook; the aim of the group is to discuss what the Bible says not sharing about other matters.

4.      Focus your attention and discussion to the passage selected instead of going all over the Bible. This rule has the added benefit of allowing a newcomer or a non-Christian to participate freely. Many who have never opened the Bible before can make valuable contributions in the first GBS itself.\

5.      Leave reference works at home. If a member brings a commentary it tends to be the final authority rather than the Scripture.

6.      Foster group ownership and sense of belonging

7.      Keep the group small; (An ideal GBS includes 5-6 members; when the members increase the group has to be divided. So additional leaders need to be groomed well in advance.

 

How to prepare questions

1.      Questions are your best tools to unlock the meaning of a passage and to stimulate discussion. GBS is not merely giving a lecture.

2.      Make an outline of the passage with 3 or 4 main points and their sub-points.

3.      Formulate the questions by turning the main points into major study questions and the sub point into subsidiary questions.

4.      Turn your observations, interpretations and applications into questions.

 

Have an overview and summary question, combination question as well.

 

 

Compiled by Kapsuanmung