How to Study the Bible (part 3)

The purpose of our Bible study is to know how I can study the Bible profitably for my own life
and help me in my ministry involvement.

A. Preparation – Anticipating God’s Direction

1. Begin with prayer asking God’s direction on what to study

Begin with P.R.A.Y.E.R. (Praising, Repenting, Asking, Yielding, Entreating, Rejoicing).

2. Prepare your Bible, Notebook, Pen, Highlighter, Dictionary and other Basic Biblical
References like Bible Handbook, Bible Dictionary and Bible Atlas (if accessible)

3. Prepare a place where you won’t be disturbed. Turn off your cellphone. Choose
time that will work for you. Set the date of your Bible study

4. Choose a topic, then the passage or book from the Bible, (see #1)

Sample: I will study the Spirit-filled life and its manifestation from Ephesians 5:15-33
in my room from July 22-30, 2020 from 9-10PM.

Look for the AIM or Author’s Intended Meaning

B. Observation - Asking the right questions

1. Read the entire book at least three times for you to be familiarized with the content.
2. Study the background of the book (Try to do a survey on the book).
3. Read the entire book and chapter a number of times (try reading from other
translations also.)
 4. Ask appropriate questions (use our six friends ---who? what? Where? when? how?
why?) They will help you understand the
Situation. Who, how, what, where and when? Pay special attention to the needs
of the readers and their situation.
Stress. What are the main points of the section (you may notice repetition, special
emphasis, finite verbs, mood, etc.)? What are a few of the most important
ideas?
Significance. Why are these points significant for the hearers in light of the
situation?

Write only the questions and don’t try to answer them immediately. Indicate the
verse where you get the questions.

Sample of asking the right questions

1. What is happening in this passage?

2. Who are the characters in this passage?
3. What does the passage tell about the characters in this passage?
4. Where is this taking place?
5. When is this taking place?
c. Interpretation – answering the question?

Accurate interpretation based on proper observation will ensure that what you learn from the text is the
main message the author intended, and the main message God inspired the authors to write.

Interpretation is the process of determining what the author meant to say to his readers in the passage
you are studying. This is where you put together the results of your observations and ask several key
interpretative questions. Proper interpretation will guide you in accurately applying the passage to your
own life

1. Content --- get the answer from the passage

2. Context --- before and after the passage

3. Compare, Consult and Confirm ---

Sample Observations from Ephesians 5:17-18 “17 Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

Observation Interpretation Application

1. Who are the characters USE CCCCC
in this passage? Paul (1:1a; 3:1), Readers: saints in Ephesus
(1:1b) Characters: Paul, apostle (1:1),
servant of God (3:7), preacher to the
Gentiles (3:8) Ephesian Christians, Gentiles
(2:11; 3:1; 4:17)

2. What do I see or what -Paul is instructing the Ephesian saints I should not live
is happening in this not to be foolish but understand God’s a foolish life but
passage? will (5:17) will know and
-Paul warned them not to be drunk understand what
with wine because it leads to God’s will is. This
debauchery(5:18a) is wise living.
-Paul commanded to Live wisely by
being filled with the Spirit (5:15-20)
-
3. What are the reasons -Ephesian saints should not live a I should not be
of the command foolish life but understand God’s will drunk with wine
according to Paul? 5:17 but instead
- Drunkenness leads to debauchery pursue being
filled by the
 Spirit
4. What is God’s will? -God’s will is for the ES to be filled by I will ask _____
5. How can someone the Spirit to help me study
know God’s will? - CCCCC what God’s will
6. What does debauchery - Debauchery means dissipation (cccc) for me is on
means? August 7, and
will share my
discovery to my
parents.
7. Other Observation Therefor will make me read the
Why Therefore? previous verses –
Meaning of foolish? Be imitators of God by living a pure life
(5:1-7)
Live as children of light by pleasing
God in everything and exposing sins
(5:8-14)
Foolish is someone who does not know
God’s will (5:17)

C. Application – Making specific steps to apply what I have discovered from my study. This is real
transformation. “Transformation” simply means applying what the Bible says in a way that
allows God to transform (change) our lives. The goal of our personal study of Scripture is no less
than to see our lives molded into what God wants us to be. In order for our application to be
transforming, it needs to meet two criterions:

• It needs to flow from the main message of the passage.

• It needs to be practical and relate to our own situation and needs.

When making an achievable goal, avoid words like “always,” “every,” and “all.” Also avoid, “from
now on.” Be specific and realistic. Make a limited time frame

Some examples of achievable goals:

Ø I will pray every day this week for my friend _______ to become a believer.
Ø I will seek to witness to my cousin _________ on Thursday when he comes to our house for
dinner.
Ø I will study the book of Colossians for thirty minutes each day for the month of June so I can
learn more about Christ’s sufficiency for my life.