How To Study The Bible For Yourself

Step 1: Theme

A. Discover the theme or the main idea of the portion of Scripture you're studying. Here are some questions that may help you find the theme.

• What words connect the verses? Instead of seeing each verse in isolation, see if you can follow the logical flow of the passage. (Key words: "but, so that, in order that, therefore, for, etc.")
  
• What repeated words or ideas do you see?
• Are there any lists in this passage? How would you title the list? (Key word: "and")
  
• Are there any commands? Often a passage is simply an explanation for why these commands are given.
• Are there any contrasts? What is being contrasted? Why? (Key word: "but")
• Are there any cause/effect relationships? Why does what happened, happen? (Key words: "So that, in order that, because, for")
• Are there any words that you can't concretely define? Or where a knowledge of Greek or Hebrew might be helpful? Vines Expository Dictionaries of Old Testament Words and New Testament Words are great resources, but even a simple English dictionary can yield significant insights.

B. Once you've answered these seven questions, see if you can summarize what each paragraph is about.

• What is the subject of the paragraph?
• What does the paragraph tell you about the subject?
• How does each paragraph in the passage relate to the preceding paragraph?

C. Finally, what's the theme of the passage?

Step 2: Outline

Once you find the theme, see if you can find how that theme is developed. Simply ask, "What does each paragraph tell me about the theme?"

Step 3: Principles

The goal of all Bible study is obedience (James 1:22-25; Matthew 7:24-27.) Using your theme and outline as a guide, find the principles (or lessons) for living in this passage by answering the natural question of the passage. Pay special attention to:

• What are the commands?
• Do you see any examples of good or bad behavior or attitudes?
• Do you see any cause/effects? (When I do this, this will happen.)
• If you believed what this passage is teaching, how would your life change?

By the end of Step 3, you should have a number of practical lessons for living that you have discovered from the passage.

Step 4: Implications

Find the implications of each principle for your own life. (Where do I fall short?) How are you doing in light of each principle? How does your behavior compare with what the Bible teaches here? Discover the implications by asking:

• What's the opposite of the principle?
• Do you find that opposite in your own life?
• If so, what is that opposite attitude or behavior producing?
• In contrast, what positive results might you expect from changing your attitude or behavior?
• Does this principle answer a tough issue or controversial question?
• Does this principle clarify any issues you've been struggling with?

Step 5: Corrections
Find what corrections you need to make in light of this passage. Ask yourself:

• According to this passage, how can I correct the areas where I'm currently falling short?
• What specific goals do I need to set in order to obey what the Bible is teaching here?
• How will my life be different if I make these corrections?

Step 6: Application
Plan how you will specifically apply these principles. Ask yourself:

• How do I plan to apply these principles?
• What new habits do I need to develop?
• How will I go about developing these new habits?

Step 7: Life Illustration

Finding a good illustration from your own life or from the Bible cements what you've learned into your memory and helps you to teach others what you have learned. Ask yourself:

• What life illustration will help me to remember these principles?
• How has applying these principles affected my life?