The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is uniquely privileged in this Dispensation—the Church Age. Not only has he immediate access into the presence of God's throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), but he also has available to him the completed Canon of Scripture—the revealed mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
And if this were not sufficient, God added the permanent indwelling presence and ministry of a personal Tutor, none other than God the Holy Spirit, the Divine Author of the Scriptures (1 Pet. 1:21). It is He who leads us into all Truth (John 14:26; 16:14) and gives us spiritual discernment that we might know the things that are freely given to us (1 Cor. 2:9-12).
Yet, sad to say, Christians rarely become spiritually self-sustaining because all their life they are dependent on others to prepare for them their spiritual sustenance! They were never taught HOW TO STUDY for themselves! Consequently, they lack purpose, incentive, know-how and methodology. They approach personal Bible study in a hit-and-miss manner and become easily discouraged. Soon they will go back to mere Scripture reading, when they could benefit more from SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES on a personal and daily basis. The Bereans did the latter, and they were commended for it (Acts 17:11)!
This Series of Lessons was prepared to show interested Christians how they may become students of the Word. The principles set forth are simple, proven and workable. They present practical guidelines for personal Bible study but are by no means exhaustive.
Properly applied by the earnest Spirit-filled believer, these principles should open up a new vista of spiritual perception, giving the student deeper insight into the truths of the Word and a greater love and appreciation for the God of the Scriptures.
To aid in applying these principles in personal study, a Practice Exercise Sheet with assignments is presented with each lesson. Answers to worksheets are furnished.
It is our earnest prayer that once daily Bible study habits are established, each student will make rapid strides toward growth in grace and knowledge of his Savior (2 Pet. 3:18), ultimately reaching spiritual maturity!
- Preview Authorization Motivation RealizationLesson #1
Reasons for Personal Bible Study
This introductory lesson establishes the foundation for personal Bible study by contrasting passive learning (receiving from others) with active discovery (personal exploration of Scripture), emphasizing that true spiritual growth requires not just acquiring knowledge but applying it to conform to Christ's image and God's will. The lesson provides biblical authorization for individual study, proper motivations for approaching God's Word, and previews ten methods of study that will be explored in future lessons.
- Lesson #2
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
The Ten "Commandments" for Personal Bible Study
- Lesson #3
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
The procedure of Bible study: observation, interpretation, application
- Lesson #4
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
God never leaves Himself without a witness, and therefore man is without excuse; he cannot plead mercy on the basis of ignorance.
- Lesson #5
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
An outline provides the peg on which you can hang the interpretation. I want you to think of it in terms of a synopsis of the overall passage. Once you have fixed a specific passage in your mind, you will be able to think your way through it and, eventually, think your way through the Bible.
- Lesson #6
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
Hebrew poetry is rich in imagery and often figurative. To interpret it accurately we must think within the framework of the ancients' understanding and know the customs of the time in which a passage was recorded.
- Lesson #7
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
Everyone who seeks to interpret Scripture must be guided by certain rules and principles in the evaluation of a passage. These rules are called HERMENEUTICS. As they apply to the Scriptures, we should refer to them more accurately as "BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS." Today we want to examine these rules in their most basic form.
- Lesson #8
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
As we have already observed, in-depth Bible study involves more than reading or casually investigating a passage; it requires TIME, PATIENCE, SELF-DISCIPLINE and DETERMINATION on the part of the Spirit-filled believer. In thorough Bible study the student examines in detail each verse for sentence structure, relationship of words, and meaning of words. Each word must be analyzed in its relationship to the other words in a sentence; each word must be evaluated as to its own merit and importance.
- Lesson #9
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
What is your definition of love, and what is your concept of love? The meaning which you give the term will decide whether you use the word carefully or carelessly! One can hardly equate one's love for a person with one's love for a food or a dress or a play; yet we frequently say, "Oh, I just LOVE chocolate cake," or, "I really LOVE your dress!"
- Lesson #10
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
Do you wonder why God's plan for the believer requires good works? Scripture explains that "Faith (the necessary ingredient in salvation) is the ... evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). James writes in his epistle that UNLESS FAITH HAS ITS APPLICATION IT IS INOPERATIVE (Jas. 2:17). You see, the unbeliever cannot see our faith, but he can see its outworking in our life! If we are devoid of any outward manifestation of what we believe with all our heart, we are incapable of proving the difference Christ has made in our lives!
- Lesson #11
The Why and How of Personal Bible Study Series
While topical Bible study offers almost unlimited possibilities and directions, CHARACTER STUDIES are by far the most popular and interesting. Here, too, the principle applies that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (mature), thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). In topical studies we come to know a subject; in character studies, a person.
