Page 70 - Bible Study Methods-Textbook_Neat

and list them. Then you can study every verse in the Bible that references the words, tithe,
giving, money, wealth, riches, possessions, and any other words you can think of that would give
you some information about what God thinks about giving.

Write down the verses on a piece of paper or in your computer.

4. Limit the search to only those synonyms which will assist you in answering the question you
created about the topic. The topic you have selected may be far too broad, and your search will
lead you to more than you can handle. By limiting the search to only those verses that deal
specifically with your topic question, you may eliminate studying hundreds of verses which
won’t help you answer your question.

5. Look up each verse and read it IN CONTEXT. Read the verses before and after and get the
thought that the entire passage is presenting. If there are insights into the topic, write them
down.

6. Check out the cross references. Some study Bibles have marginal cross reference passages
which relate to the passage you are reading. Go to those passages and do the same thing. Read
the entire passage to make sure the topic is being considered within the context of the passage
and whether further insights may be there.

7. Make sure you understand the book in the Bible from which your verses are taken. To whom
was it written? Was it written to address a problem? Is it a historical narrative? Is it an Old
Testament Book or a New Testament Book? What is the purpose of that book? This is all part
of the context of the verse. For example, on the topic of giving, if you take information from the
Levitical Law of the Tithe, the demands on the people of Israel would not be at all what God
commands for the New Testament church giver. Context is EVERYTHING!

8. Is the verse about what someone did? Remember, we cannot build doctrine on an historical
event. If someone did it, that does not necessarily make it the norm for the church today. The
saints in the Bible did both what is right, and some did what is not right. Just because they did
something, does not make their actions the norm for today.

9. Compile your results with insights listed for each verse. Many verses will repeat ideas, but
some will make your insights expand. Try to build definitive statements about what the Bible
says about that topic.

10. Organize your information in logical sequences and decide how much to teach at one time.
You might find you have an enormous amount of information; too much to deliver in one lesson.
Break it down into digestible parts and present that information to your class or church. You
might not be able to come to a conclusion, but next time you present, make sure you review the
information already presented, then start adding to it.

11. Write out a short paragraph which is the answer to your original topical question. You should
now be able to conclude what the Bible says in answer to your topical questions. Write out the
conclusion of your study and how it answers your original question.

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