CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND CHURCH PLANTING INSTITUTE

NORTHEATERN LUZON DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Course Title: METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

Course Description: This 3 units course will present basic facts about the Bible and allows
students to appreciate the Bible as God’s Word through discovery, interpretation, and
application of the Scriptures. It aims to acquaint Bible students about basic principles of
Bible interpretation and to give some helpful methods in Bible study. This course focuses
entirely on the understanding of the literal and practical contents of the Scriptures based
on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Appreciate the richness of God’s Word
2. Use the different tools in Bible Study.
3. Develop the basic skills of Bible interpretation.
4. Gain practical experience in applying the five methods of Bible study.
5. Determine the content and the context of passages in the Scriptures.
Course Outline:
I. Introduction
The Bible its importance and purpose
II. Preparation for Bible Study
A. Basic Tools for Bible Study
B. Basic Steps in Bible Study
III. Devotional Method
IV. Biographical/Character Method
V. Chapter Summary Method
VI. Thematic ot Topical Method
VII. Inductive Approach

Course Requirements:
1. Attendance and class participation.
2. Bible (NIV, KJV, RSV) and other versions.
3. Assignments and seat works
4. Quizzes and Examinations
5. Each students are required to submit a paper each method of Bible study.
References:
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR ALL ITS WORTH Gordon Fee
12 DYNAMIC BIBLE STUDY METHOD by Rick Warren
HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE by Thomas Maphori (ICI)
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE by Dorothy Johns (ICI)
SUDYING, INTERPRETING AND APPLYING THE BIBLE
by Walter Henrichsen & Gayle Jackson
APPLYING THE BIBLE by Jack Kuhatschek

Rev. Angel F. Guillermo

Instructor
 METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

Introduction. The Bible is the oldest book in the world. The most ancient portion of the
Bible dated back for almost 4,000 years. Yet still the modern book in the world today; for
in it we find the answers to life’s greatest questions.
 Where did man came from?
 What are the origin of the universe?
 What is the true purpose of life?
 What does the future hold for mankind?
 How can we know the truth about life death and the future?
 How can we know what God is like?
The Bible :
 Explains the origin of Sin. Teach us to live pleasing to God
 Defines the nature of Sin  Prepares us for eternity with God.
 Warns us of God’s judgment of sin. Teach us proper way of worship
 Give us the good news of the Savior. Gives us life
 Explains how to receive forgiveness from sin.
 Correct us from wrong doings, faith and attitudes.

The Needs of Studying the Bible.

 Jesus commanded it
 Paul encourages every believer to study.
 There is a great misuse of the Bible.
There are many benefits when we study the Bible.

1. PREPARATION FOR BIBLE STUDY

l. Basic Principles of Studying the Bible.

a. You must do the original investigation. Before using other sources you must do it first
.
b. You must have a written reproduction. Be sure that you must have a pen and
notebook.
c. Be consistent and systematic.
d. Pass on to able man of what you discover.
e. Apply in your life what you learn.

ll. Basic Steps in Bible Study

1. OBSERVATION – “What does the Scripture say?”

2. INTERPRETATION – “What does this mean?”
3. SUMMARIZE –to present the main points and accompanying details in
some brief concluding way.
4. EVALUATION – to determine whether what you are reading is an eternal
principle or a local custom applicable only in the local Bile-time situation.
5. APPLICATION – “How would I apply this principle in my life?”
6. CORRELATION – “How does this fit in with the total body of Scripture?”
III. Basic Tools for Bible Study

1. Have your own BIBLE. It is helpful to have more than one version of the Bible so
you can compare the wording of difficult passages of Scripture.
2. Your EYES and MIND are the second tool for study.
3. PEN and PAPER.
4. BIBLE CONCORDANCE, BIBLE DICTIONARY, BIBLE COMMENTARY
IV Basic Questions
1. Fact questions
A. Identifying questions ask WHO and WHAT.
B. Modal questions ask HOW?
C. Temporal questions ask WHEN?
D. Local questions ask WHERE?
2. Thought Questions
A. Definitive questions ask, “What does this mean?”
B. Rational questions ask WHY? “Why is this said?” “Why is this said here”
C. Implicational questions ask, “ What does this imply?”

3. The Content & Context basic question is use to get the authors idea.
a. The Question of Context ( why it is said?) There are two kinds of context.
- Historical Context = has to do with the general setting of the
documents. Place, geography, people, religion, and economy.
- Literary Context has to do with why a given thing was said at a
given point in the argument of the narrative.
b. The Question of Content (what is said?)
- Textual Criticism = the determination of the actual wording of the
author.
- lexical data = the meaning of the words
- Grammatical data = the relationship of words to one another
- Historical Cultural Background= the relationship of words and
ideas to the background and culture of the author and his readers.
 THE DEVOTIONAL METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY

The Devotional Method of Bible Study involves taking a passage of the Bible, large or
small, and prayerfully meditating on it until the Holy Spirit shows you a way to apply its truth to
your own life in a way that is personal, practical, possible, and measurable.

Four Steps

STEP ONE: Pray for Insight on how to apply the passage. Ask God to help you apply the
Scripture you are studying and show you specifically what he wants you to do. Tell God
that you are ready to obey what He will show you and that you are willing to share that
application with others.
STEP TWO: Meditate on the verse(s) you’ve chosen to study. Meditation is essentially
thought digestion. You take a thought god gives you, put it in your mind and think on it
over and over again.

Practical ways to meditate:

1. Visualize the scene of the narrative in your mind. (e.g.John 4)

2. Identify yourself with the writer. (e.g. Paul in prison writing Philippians) (2 Tim 4:7)
3. Emphasize words in the passage. (Phil. 4:13) Read through the passage aloud several
times.
4. Paraphrase the passage under study.
5. Personalize the passage you are studying.
6. Use the SPACEPETS acrostics. Is there any…

Sin to confess?
Promise to claim?
Attitude to change?
Command to Obey?
Example to follow?
Prayer to Pray?
Error to avoid?
Truth to Believe
Something to praise God for?

7. Pray the verse or passage back to God. (Ps. 23)

STEP THREE: Write out an application

Your application should be PERSONAL, PRACTICAL, POSSIBLE,
PROVABLE

STEP FOUR: Memorize a key verse from your study.

 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY FORM

1. Name : Stephen
2. Scripture References:
Acts 6:3-8:2
Acts 11:19
Acts 22:20
3. First Impressions and Observations:
Stephen was an early Christian who had a tremendous testimony in the
church, was a powerful preacher and witness, and was willing to die for his
faith.
4. Outline of His or Her Life
A. Chosen by the Early Church as a leader---
1. to help resolve a conflict (Acts 6:5)
2. on the basis of certain godly characteristics (Acts 6:3,5,8)
B. He had a wide Ministry
1. waited on tables (Acts 6:2,5)
2. performed miracles (Acts 6:8)
3. preached and taught powerfully (Acts 6:10)
C. He was Persecuted
1. opposed by Jews from “overseas”
2. falsely accused (Acts 6:11)
3. arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:12-14)
  He had a ministry after his death – persecution caused the
church to spread (Acts 8:2-4; 11:19)
5. General Insights (Answers to Questions)
A. Why was he chosen to be a leader ?
 He was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (6:3)
 He was full of faith and the Spirit (6:5)
 He was full of God’s grace and power (6:8)
 He knew the Scriptures (7:2-53)
B. What was his response to false accusations?
He kept his cool, remained silent, and only answered when he was
directed to speak by the high priest.
C. What was his attitude toward his executioners?
6. Character Qualities Identified
 Spirit-filled (6:3, 5,10)
 Wise (6:3,10)
 Faithful (6:5)
 Available to God (6:8)
 Persistent (6:10)
7. Bible Truths Illustrated in His or Her Life:
 The presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit in the trials of life
 God’s grace is sufficient when we walk with Him (Acts 6:10, 1
Cor. 1:27-31)
8. Summary of Lessons Learned from His or Her Life:
The outstanding characteristics of Stephen were his commitment to the Lord
and his willingness to do anything for him, including giving up his life.
9. Personal Application:
I want to become a person like Stephen – a person of the Word of God who
knows Jesus Christ intimately and who is able to answer others with Scripture
when they ask questions.
10. Transferable Concepts
The concept in this study that are transferable:
A. The necessity of a personal walk with Jesus Christ.
The necessity of being in the Word of God on a regular basis.