Unlocking God’s Word How to Study the Bible

A method by which you trace a subject matter through the Bible (or a single book) asking no than 5 pre-determined questions.

 A Thematic Study is shorter (narrower in scope)  A Thematic Study looks at fewer verses  A Thematic Study entails fewer questions

 You don’t need many reference tools  Takes less time than a topical study  To prepare for doing a topical study  To prepare for a class

 Don’t use too many questions  You may not find answers to every questions in every verse  If you are not finding any answers…reevaluate your questions  Use a topical Bible to assist you  Use a concordance to learn everything about a theme

 Select a theme that interests you  Start with themes that are small or short

The Walkthrough

 Use your tools  Study Bible  Topical Bible  Exhaustive Concordance  Remember to use synonyms and other similar words/concepts

List of References  Matthew 10:24-25  Luke 14:26-28  John 8:31-32  John 13:34-35  John 15:8

 Brainstorm lots of questions about the theme

I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who. The Elephant’s Child Rudyard Kipling

 Brainstorm lots of questions about the theme  Narrow your list to no more than 5 questions  Sometimes one question is sufficient

Questions to be Asked A. What are the characteristics of a disciple? B. What are the results of being a disciple? C. D. E.

for each strVerse in aVerses { i = 1; do while i <= 5 { strAnswer = AskQuestion(aQuestions[i],strVerse); writeOutput(strAnswer); i = i + 1; } }

Answers to Questions Scripture: Matthew 10:24-25 A. A disciple will be like his Master (in this case, Christ) B. He should expect to be treated like his Master was treated C. D. E.

Answers to Questions Scripture: Luke 14:26-28 A. A disciple gives supreme love to Christ, bears his cross, and follows Christ B. (No answer given) C. D. E.

Answers to Questions Scripture: Luke 14:33 A. A disciple gives up all to follow Christ B. (No answer given) C. D. E.

Answers to Questions Scripture: John 8:31-32 A. A disciple continually abides in Christ’s Word B. He knows the truth and is set free C. D. E.

Answers to Questions Scripture: John 13:34-35 A. A disciple has love for others B. Others will know that he belongs to Christ C. D. E.

Answers to Questions Scripture: John 15:8 A. A disciple bears fruit B. His bearing fruit brings glory to God C. D. E.

 Summarize the answers to your questions  Group similar verses together  Outline the points  Compare and Contrast  PACE your STEPS

Conclusions Characteristics I discovered… A disciple…  is like Christ  Gives supreme love to Christ  Bears his cross and follows Christ  Gives up all to follow Christ  Continually abides in Christ’s word  Loves other  Bears fruit

Conclusions Results I discovered… A disciple…  Should expect persecution  Knows the truth and is set free  Brings glory to God  Lives his life in such a way that others notices he belongs to Christ

 Application is always the goal

Application Based on John 8:31-32 I will establish a regular, daily quiet time in the Word, starting tomorrow morning Based on John 13:34-35 I will demonstrate love for a person who irritates me, and do so by asking his family to come to dinner this week.

Unlocking God’s Word How to Study the Bible