Welcome
Welcome
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How to Study the Bible

Season
Season 3
Episode Number
115
Release Date
August 11, 2021
Tags
DiscipleshipDoctrine
Welcome
Welcome
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Since you have rejected knowledge,

I also will reject you from being My priest.

Since you have forgotten the Law of your God,

I also will forget your children.

Hosea 4:6 NASB

Summary

This episode goes over some tips for studying the Bible. Some tips are for those just starting out and others are for those who are looking to take their studying up to the next level. Note: the most important tip I can give is to pray before you read/study the Word.

Choose a Translation

  • Some translations are "word-for-word" others are "thought-for-thought"
  • There are modern translations, as well as older translations (e.g., the KJV)
  • Use online resources like Bible Gateway to access all translations and compare
  • Ideally you'll want to read multiple translations

Use an Interlinear Bible

  • Interlinear Bibles allow you to see the original text (usually in Hebrew or Greek)
  • You can compare how a word is translated elsewhere in the text

Acronyms

  • FEAST - Focus Your Heart & Mind, Engage the Text, Assess the Meaning, Spark Transformation, Turn toward God[1]
  • WORD - Write, Observe, Relevant, Declare[2]
  • SOAP - Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer
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I’ve actually been going in to these more in depth and have some bookmarks to help you remember these (and a few more). I’ll link them below for reference
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S.O.A.P. Method
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F.E.A.S.T. Method
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R.E.A.P. Method

Cross Reference

By the testimony of two or three witnesses is a thing confirmed (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16); therefore, what you read is often mentioned in another book of the Bible. Try to find other passages related to the passage you're studying. As you get deeper, you'll start to be able to notice patterns with symbolism (e.g., the Feast days mentioned in Leviticus correspond to the work of Christ).

Ask Questions & Word Studies

When you read a passage, pause to ask questions. In the episode I read Genesis 13:7.

Moreover, quarreling arose between Avram’s and Lot’s herdsmen. The Kena‘ani and the P’rizi were then living in the land.

Genesis 13:7 CJB

It wasn't the best example but from it, I asked what is meant by quarreling? This is a perfect candidate for a word study to gain better context with the action in the passage. Who are the Kena'ani (Canaanites) and P'rizi (Perizzites)? Find out where else they're mentioned in the Bible and look at the genealogies to see who they descend from and how they relate to Israel.

References and Footnotes

  1. Asheritah. "How to Study the Bible Using the FEAST Method". One Thing Alone Ministries; visited August 2021
  2. Erika Michelle. "The W.O.R.D. Bible Study Method ". Symphony of Praise; visited August 2021
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PSALMS to God is a blog, podcast, and YouTube channel that discusses many topics and issues, always keeping YHWH as the anchor. Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”—here, the aim is to always ask questions and study to find the answers. You can keep up with new content by signing up for the weekly newsletter.

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