1. 12 Ways to study the Bible Session 4 The Thematic Method

2. A Thematic Method Definition: Approaching a biblical theme with not more than five predetermined questions in mind. You then trace the theme through the Bible or a single book by asking only those questions, summarising your conclusions and writing a personal application.

3. Why is this Method Advantageous? It helps us discover what we can about a specific theme. It requires few tools. It takes less time than a Topical study (session 6) It is a good way to preview a topic or restrict your study to an urgent specific. It is easy to move from this kind of study to a talk, sermon or lesson/small group study. It is very good for new Christians as it is simple but has depth.

4. Tools you will need A study bible An exhaustive concordance A topical or thematic bible

5. Tips for doing a Thematic study 1.Don’t use too many questions. 2.Sometimes only one question is enough. 3.When you can’t answer a particular question in a particular verse leave a gap and move on. 4.If you can’t answer any of your questions a) ask yourself why? Are they questions God sees as irrelevant? b) change the questions 5.If you want to go deep use an exhaustive concordance but be aware of time!

6. Six Steps For Doing a Thematic Study 1.Choose a theme 2.List all the verses you intend to study 3.Decide on your pool of questions 4.Ask the questions of each reference in turn 5.Draw your conclusions 6.Write out a personal application

7. How to use your notebook for a Thematic Study

12. Some Suggestions for Thematic Study Theme 1: Knowing God’s will Look up the word “will” in a concordance and find the references that include “God’s will” or “the will of God” or “The will of The Lord” etc. Suggested Questions: 1.What specific things are God’s will? 2.Why am I to do God’s will? (motives/results) 3.How am I to do God’s will? (attitudes/actions)

13. Some Suggestions for Thematic Study Theme 2: Obedience Look up the words “obey, obedient, obedience, keep, command(ment)s etc. Suggested Questions: 1.Why is obedience important? 2.What are the results of obedience? 3.What are the results of disobedience? 4.How am I to obey God?

14. Some Suggestions for Thematic Study Theme 3: Praising the Lord in the Psalms Look up the words “praise, adoration, thanksgiving, joy” etc. Suggested Questions: 1.Why should I praise the Lord? 2.How can I praise the Lord? 3.When should I praise the Lord 4.What are the results of praising the Lord?

15. Some Suggestions for Thematic Study Theme 4: The prayers of Jesus Look up the theme in a study bible and the words “pray, prayer” in a concordance only noting those references from the Gospels in which Jesus is praying. Suggested Questions: 1.How often should I pray? 2.When did Jesus pray? 3.Why should I pray as Jesus did? 4.What did Jesus pray for? 5.To whom should I pray You may have other questions that are relevant to you at this time.