A Deeper Way Of Study

   Now this is an more advance way of study. Maybe not for the beginner, but I would keep this one in mind as I seek to grow in my understanding and depth in my Christian walk.
    I have started this the last few months. To do this one you will need a note book to record your observations. A pen to write with is needed. You won't just be reading without responding. Maybe for a while you will be responding to the passages as if you were journaling. In fact you should be able, over time, to look back and trace your growth.
    For you will grow using this method.
    It goes without saying you will need a good version of the scriptures. NASB, NIV, English Standard, etc. Yes, even the King James helps. Or the NKJ. Just a good version that is readable.
    I take a chapter at a time. Once a day. I don't rush. I ask what is here? Who is speaking? Who is he speaking to? What is the context? I record as if  I were seeing this for the first time. I keep remembering I am not reading a 21st century book. It meant something to those who read it for the first time.  Look at it as it meant then.
    Just what was the impact?
    You will need a good book on Bible times to refer to. Maybe even a concordance to look up words and see how they were first used.
    Using this method you will end up comparing scripture with scripture. When was the word first used? What did it mean when used that first time?
     I told you this was advanced. It will take more than a few moments. But you can also break your devotion time down into segments so you may not do a full chapter a day. But you keep with it day by day until you finish that book.
      I hope you are enjoying the methods discussion of this blog. It seems some are.
      You can always search this blog. I am sure all the postings are there.

Take A Chapter At A Time

Record Your Bible Research

     Recently I have started to take a book to study. I look at how many chapters the book has, as this is how many weeks ( I use this method a chapter a week) and start in to read that chapter five times.
    I find this starts verses popping out to get my interest. Sometimes it will be on another day of the week reading it through five times that a verse pops out at me.
    I note that verse and set about memorizing it. This is the verse I have decided is useful for discussion with others. I may just feel that it in one that I will need later to meditate on. "Study to show yourself approved." "Thy word I have hid in my heart that I may not sin against God."  "There is one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
     Just one chapter a week. This is in addition to the Bible reading and the sermon. Don't worry iof one week a verse doesn't pop out. That week may not be the week you need the verse. Just keep repeating the verses you have been able to glean. Be faithful to this practice. You will find your whole circumstances soothing out. You will find things don't bother you as much. What you are doing is allowing the Holy Spirit to work with the verses you have memorized.
     Start small and work up.
     Let me know how you are doing.