Methods of Bible Study

There are many different methods of Bible study. Some require more work than others. Usually, the
more work you do, the more blessings you will receive.

These methods are not for lazy believers. They are intended for serious Bible students. Remember
Paul's instruction to Timothy - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a
workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15, rsv)".

Bible study may be hard work but it yields eternal rewards. After this lesson you will be able to
explain how to do a book and chapter analysis.

BOOK ANALYSIS

It is easier to do an analysis of a short book in the Bible. Begin with a short book like Titus or
Philippians. Here are some guidelines for doing a book analysis.

1. Learn all you can about the author, the people he is writing to, the historical situation, and
geographical setting.
2. Read the book all the way through at one time. This will help you understand the book as a
whole.
3. Read the book again in another version of the Bible. You may want to read the book in
another modem English version or in a dialect Bible.
4. Write the main message of the book in one sentence. This is called the "theme" of the book.
Later you will look at the theme of a chapter.
5. Read each chapter again and give it a title written in your own words.
6. Pick out a "key" verse in each chapter. This is the verse that tells the main lesson of that
chapter.
7. Make a simple outline by dividing the key verses into natural divisions. Write the key verses
one after the other in the order they are in the book. Read this list and see if you can group
together those verses which teach about the same thing. You can use these natural divisions
to help make an outline of the book.
8. Look up cross references (parallel verses) that clarify the meaning of each part of the
outline.
9. Ask God to show you how this book can change your life.

BOOK ANALYSIS OF THE BIBLE

1. Name of the book. I John

2. How many times did you read the book? 4
3. Who wrote the book? John, the disciple of Jesus.
4. What do you know about him? A fisherman from Galilee then became a disciple of Jesus. He
wrote the Gospel of John.
5. To whom did he write this? To the Christians at Ephesus.
6. What troubled them? They were disturbed by false teachers.
7. When was this book written? About AD 90.
8. Why was it written? To fight against false teachers and to give assurance of salvation.
9. Does this book mention any problems? What are these?
Others do not believe that Jesus was truly human.
10. What are the answers for this? Jesus answers this in Chapter 1, verses 1-4.
11. What is the theme of the book? You will know that you have eternal life.

1
12. How can this book change your life? It gives me assurance that my sins are forgiven and I am
sure of my salvation.

CHAPTER ANALYSIS

A chapter analysis is very similar to a book analysis. It is more intense, however. Chapter analysis can
make you a more effective teacher and preacher.

1. Learn all you can about the book's author, recipients, historical situation, and geographical
setting.
2. Read through the chapter slowly.
3. Discover what type of literature it is - poetry, history, doctrine, etc.
4. Read the chapter again several times. Use other versions if possible.
5. Write the theme of the chapter in your own words. The theme is a short sentence that tells
the main message of the chapter.
6. Note the main divisions of the chapter. The paragraph divisions may give you a clue to these.
Ask - what is the main truth in each paragraph?
Write these down in a list
7. Note the linking words or bridges between the paragraphs. Also notice the links between
this chapter and the ones before and after. Words like therefore because and then may be
used as linking words.
The word therefore is a good example of a linking word. Notice how it is used in
Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 12:1.ln both cases the preceding chapters are the foundation for
further teaching.
8. Note the key words. You may want to do a special study of them. We will learn about word
studies in the next chapter.
9. Note the important people. What good or bad qualities do they show?
10. Note the illustrations that are used in the chapter. Are there any parables or poems? These
may require special study.
11. Look up cross references to clarify the meaning of important verses.
12. Write down questions that come into your mind as you study.
13. Ask the Holy Spirit how to apply this chapter to your life and to others.

CHAPTER ANALYSIS OF 1John 1

1. Name of the book and chapter. 1 John chapter 1

2. How many times did you read it? 5
3. What kind of literature is this? About Doctrine
4. What is the theme of the chapter? Unity with God
5. What are the divisions or outline of the chapter?
verses 1 – 4 Jesus Christ is a real human being.
verses 5 – 7 We can have fellowship with God.
verses 8 – 10 To confess is a way in order to have fellowship.
6. What are the key words and what do they mean?
Word - Jesus is the revelation of God.
Light - Used five times in this letter. This means that God has appealing righteousness.
7. Who is the important man in this chapter? Jesus.
8. What lessons do you learn from this? John has touched heard and seen Jesus.
9. Is there a command I need to obey? 1 John 1:9 - I need to confess my sins.
10. Is there a promise I need to claim and trust? God forgives me if I confess my sins to Him.
11. Is there a sin I need to avoid? Sin of pride, claiming you have no sin.
12. Is there a special thing I need to remember? We need to be honest with God.

2
CONCLUSION

Some will say, "Oh I cannot write down these “themes” and outlines. I do not know how to say
them!” let me ask a question. If you do not know how to "say" them or "write" them, how can you
"teach" or "preach" them? Writing these things down may be hard but will help you to be a more
effective teacher and preacher.

In this lesson, you will learn how to study a word, a biography and a theme.

WORD STUDIES

The words of the Bible are very important God has revealed eternal truth through them. If you want
to understand God and His will for our lives, you must understand words like hope, faith, love,
believe, soul, flesh, covenant and many others. Word studies open the Bible so you can understand
it.

Use the following steps in studying a word.

1. Look up your word in a regular dictionary and a Bible dictionary, if possible. Study the
definition. Often it will help to write down the most important parts of the definition.
2. Check a concordance and list the verses in which the word is used.
3. Study each verse in its context (paragraph, chapter). The context will clarify the meaning. For
example the word lion is used in 1 Peter 5:8 and Revelation 5:5. If you study the context, you
will understand that the word refers to the Devil in I Peter and to Christ in Revelation.
4. Compare different versions or translations of the same verse. This often clarifies the
meaning.
5. Check cross references for further information.
6. Take notes as you study. You will be able to organize these into a lesson or sermon.
7. Pray for the Holy Spirit's help as you study.
8. Share your lesson with others.

Guide in studying a word:

1. Word
2. Meaning
3. Verses where it is found
4. What verse tells the meaning of the word?
5. How will you apply this word in your life or in your church?
6. How will you teach this truth to others? Maybe you want to answer these questions:

a. What is the important truth?

b. How can I (we) apply this?
c. Why is it important?
d. When can I (we) do this?
e. To whom can we do this?

3
BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES

Some people call these character studies. There are over 2900 different people mentioned in the
Bible. You can learn valuable lessons by studying their lives. People enjoy biographical lessons and
sermons. The experiences of Bible people also provide great illustrations for teaching and preaching.

Use the following steps in making a biographical study:

1. Choose the person you want to study.

2. Check the concordance to find the passages that tell his life.
3. Pray that God will guide and bless your study.
4. Study each verse or passage.
5. List the person's good and bad actions and attitudes.
6. Write the truths or principles his or her life illustrates.
7. Organize your research into a lesson you can share with others.
8. Choose one or more lessons from the Bible character’s life and apply it to your own life.

Learning to write a biographical study:

1. Name of the person:

2. Scripture passage that tells about him/her.
3. What does the Bible tell about his family, childhood and his manhood?
4. What are his good and bad qualities? (weaknesses and strengths)?
5. What are the specific instances when God talked to him?
6. What mistakes did he make?
7. What are his accomplishments or victories?
8. How did he help others?
9. How will you describe his family?
10. What spiritual lessons can we learn from his life?
11. How will you teach this to others?

THEME STUDIES

There are many great themes in the Bible. These themes may be broader than just one word. For
example, you might study stewardship or family life. These topics are described by several important
words. By doing theme studies, you learn Bible doctrines and ethics.

The following steps will help you make a theme study:

1. Pray that God will guide you.
2. look up your topic theme in a topical concordance like Naves Topical Bible. If you do not
have this book you may still study "key” words.
 List words in your theme or directly related to your theme. For example, in studying
"Family Life" you might look up the words family, father, wife, mother, son, daughter,
etc.
 Look up the words in a concordance and list all the texts given.
 If no concordance is available, look up verses you know in your Bible and study the
cross references given. Keep written notes on your references so that you can write
your own concordance.

3. Write down the texts listed.

4
 4. Study each one carefully in its context. Clarify words you do not know. Check cross references
to discover the complete meaning.
5. Write down the truth or principle you learn from each passage.
6. Organize your notes into divisions. Prepare lessons or sermons to share.
It may help you to use the question words - who, what, when, where, and how.

For example, if you are studying the theme of giving you might divide your material like this:

Who should give?

What should we give?
When should we give?
Where should we give?
How should we give?

Your study will provide the answers to these questions. Or your study may reveal natural divisions in
the material. A theme study on the Holy Spirit might have these divisions -

The Names of the Holy Spirit

The Symbols of the Holy Spirit
The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Each theme study will be divided differently.

You can understand now why a concordance is a basic tool for Bible study. Not only will it save you
lots of time, but it will make your study much more fruitful. You first need to buy a good Bible. The
Bible should have cross references. The next book you should buy is a concordance.
Use the following guide in making a theme study:

Learning the theme:

1. Theme:
2. Key verses:
Reference: Truth/Lesson:
_________ ___________

3. Outlining/Organizing

Who?
What?
When?
Where?
How?

How to Prepare a Dynamic Bible Study

1. Schedule your Bible time

2. Keep a note book
3. Get the right tools

5
 4. Spend a short time in prayer before each study

Basic Tools for Bible Study:

1. Study Bible
2. Bible (other translations like NIV, NASB, NKJV etc.)
3. Concordance
4. Bible Dictionary and English Dictionary
5. Bible Handbook
6. Commentary