You Are On The Damascus Road Which Brings You How To Study The Bible

		How To Study The Word Of God     When you come to a passage in Scripture that you want to better understand, go back to the beginning of the paragraph. In most Bibles, even though the chapter and verses are clearly marked, some also are marked with a paragraph (¶) mark to help you recognize each paragraph. Go back to the last ¶ mark and start from that point and read to the passage in question. If the paragraph marks are not there, then just go back to the chapter's first verse and work forward from that point. Some Bibles make the paragraph beginning the largest verse numbers with the rest of the verse numbers embed within the paragraph and each paragraph is usually separated by a space. It might even be helpful to use a modern language version of the Bible. Observation Phase -What does it say?     Don't study without paper and pencil. I would also recommend three books to have on hand for use as references: a Bible period geography sometimes found in the back of the Bible or an atlas to be used for map study; a concordance - again, in some Bibles a fair concordance can be found in the back sections or an excellent concordance can be purchased at your local Bible Book Store for word comprehension; a Biblical encyclopedia or Bible dictionary to reference people and places Something I'd like to add at this point. The reference books mentioned above should be of the better (if not the best) quality as they represent your investment in your understanding. I use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Unger's Bible Dictionary with maps in the back. Two volumes taking the place of three and you have the finest references available.     On a sheet of paper make a thorough list. You will need to acquire four basic answers to the four basic questions, "Who?", "What?", "When?" and "Where?". Who—Identify all the proper names and personal pronouns What—understand the event taking place and in what order. When—determine when these events took place (get a time-frame, before this or after that). Where—locate all the geographical references (narrow down the place these events occurred. Interpretation Phase—What does it mean?     In an inductive Bible study, Question the meaning of all you read. Don't be afraid to ask the question "Why?" Remember your reference books, crack them open and make sure you understand what you are reading. Never be satisfied with, "I think this is what is meant here." The Bible is an understandable book. It is not some secret or mystical lore between two sacred covers never to be understood. God wants you to know and be sure. Revelations 1:1-3 leads us to understand that.     Determine the contextual relationship. All of that sentence is just to ask this, "How does what I've just read relate to everything around it?"

Start with the word or phrase and then look back over the verse. Now consider that to the paragraph and the chapter. Compare this to the book especially the opening verses to know who is doing the writing and to whom it is sent. Now look at this in relationship to the entire testament and finally the entire Bible.

		It does relate and if you find something amiss or doesn't seem to relate, look to your own understanding and go back over this process.
	Don't start a Bible Study without prayer!

Application Phase—What do I do about it? Now decide upon the relevant message. What category does this come under? Is it dealing with Hope or Faith? Is it Prophetic, Historical, or Instructional? Does it carry a Warning or a Revelation? What is the Principle?     In summary: Find the theme and study the context. Seek the meaning by studying the paragraph. Be sure to use that paper and pencil to list all the details and then read repeatedly.     After you have completed all this, go to the commentaries. You will be surprised to find they will have very little to add.     Remember Systematic Bible Study is a process NOT an event and is Hard Work!     Father, Bless this study guide to Thy glory and fill the heart and mind of the one using this study with Thy patience. Let Thy truth and love fill the one who studies your word. And guide him or her so each will truly get to know Thee.             Amen

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