Introduction
We have a few days “off” before we start the book of Philippians next week. To help us all grow in reading the Word on a daily basis and to help us better study and apply the Bible, we’re taking the next three days to share a few tools for reading, understanding, and applying the Bible more effectively. For each of the next three days, we’ve picked three different Bible study methods and three key passages from Hebrews to help be more effective in studying and living out God’s Word.
Day Two
It’s important to remember that there’s no one “right” way to study scripture. The most important thing is that you are studying it. God’s Word doesn’t return void (Isaiah 55:11), so just by engaging with Scripture, you are going to grow and benefit from it. Today’s method, similar to yesterday’s, involves another set of questions for us to ask ourselves after reading the passage. With a journal nearby, these five questions can help us explore each passage on a deeper level:
- What do you like about this passage? What emotions does this passage stir up in you? What jumps off the page at you?
- What surprises you about this passage? Did you read anything you’d never thought about before? What makes you go, “huh” as you read it?
- What do you learn about God? What does this passage teach you about the character of God? Any attributes of God that this passage highlights?
- What do you learn about humanity? What does this passage teach you about human nature? Any patterns you see that are still repeated today?
- How do you apply these truths to your life? What can you take from this passage and apply to your life right now? How are these truths the same today as they were thousands of years ago?
These questions give us a little bit of everything. They can help you categorize your thoughts, feelings, and convictions after reading a passage. It also gives you an opportunity to apply what you read and live out what it means. Take some time today and practice this method with the passage below.
Practice
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
2 thoughts on “Bible Study Methods: Day 2”
1. We were never meant to travel alone through life. God hard-wired us to live in relationships.
2. Consider & spur,, 2 action verbs. One means to think carefully/contemplate, the other to urge, press forward.
3. God is gracious to invite us to develop habits that will enrich our earthly lives and prepare us for eternity with him.
4. We as humans will drift away and isolate without accountability.
5. Use every opportunity to encourage others and embrace relationships that build accountability, Life Group is where this is best lived out!
1. Encouraging others is one of the gifts God gave me. I love that it is mentioned here – a reminder to use it for His Kingdom, made all the more urgent by the reminder that time is precious. This verse calls up emotions of joy and zeal.
2. I am surprised about the verse’s specificity. In the midst of this exhortation, Paul includes a side-note calling out those who think they can go solo. His warning is all the more timely in this post-pandemic phase in which many Christians have fallen out of the habit of congregating with believers.
3. It is a reminder that God is love, and that His love is manifest in his actions of grace towards us. If we are to be Christ-ians, reflecting Christ’s likeness, we are to show love and good works. The books of John and James are both in the New Testament for a reason!
4. We are fickle, and our stamina. is ephemeral. The cares of the world will take over our time and attention if we don’t encourage each other. We are also social beings, made in the image of the triune God, and thrive in community.
5. Lead with love. Work out this love in action. Take the time to deepen relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, and water these relationships on a regular basis. Encourage each other and hold each other accountable.