"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries
HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE, part 7 quotes (final)
1) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
2) There are 8 main methods of studying the Bible which have proven themselves to be of the greatest benefit:
#1 - The Comparative Method of Bible Study.
#2 - The Analytical Method of Bible Study.
#3 - The Synthetic Study of the Bible.
#4 - The Prophetic Study of the Bible.
#5 - Topical or Thematic Study of the Bible.
#6 - Historical Study of the Bible.
#7 - Bible Study by Books.
#8 - the Sword Method of Bible Study
3) Study Method #7 - Bible Study By Books
One of the most interesting and profitable ways of studying the Bible is by choosing one of its 66 books and then thoroughly studying it. This involves reading the entire book through from beginning to ending, and learning all you can about it. Discover what its central theme is, who are its main individuals, and especially what it has to say regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as any doctrinal teachings.
Keep in mind a number of key points and questions when studying the Bible by books:
#1 - Discover who wrote the book? What was their character like? Also locate other portions of the Bible that were written by them.
#2 - Discover when they wrote their book? You could also investigate into what the conditions of life were for the author when they wrote it.
#3 - Discover where, and under what circumstances, was their book written? Was it written while they were in prison; or in a cave; or under banishment; or in the wilderness?
#4 - Discover whom the book was written to? Ascertain if it was addressed to a church group, a nation, or an individual, or is just general instruction, or perhaps history.
#5 - Discover if the book was written to correct some sinful condition, or to combat some doctrinal error?
4) Study Method #8 - the Sword Method of Bible Study
Notice that the sword is pointing upward toward heaven and God, while the handle is pointing downward towards earth and man. In applying this Sword to any Bible verse or passage, first see if the Scripture mentions anything about God, and then next see if it mentions anything about man - including yourself.
5)
In looking at this picture of a double-edged sword, notice that it has 7 distinct parts: the point of the blade, its 2 sharpened edges, the front part of the blade, the back part, the hilt below the blade which allows the sword to be held, and the guard inbetween the blade and hilt that protects the hand from being harmed in battle.
The point of the sword would be pointing upward to the heavens and thus towards God. This would then lead you to ask the first question: “What does the text I’m studying instruct me about God the Father, or God the Son Jesus Christ or God the Holy Spirit?”
Next, notice that you would be holding the handle of the sword. This would lead you to ask the second question: “What do I need to learn about myself, or people or mankind?”
The left edge and front of the sword blade involves asking 2 more questions:
#3. Does the text reveal a sin to avoid?
#4. Does it reveal a promise to keep?
The right edge and back of the sword blade involves asking 2 further questions:
#5. Does the text reveal an example to be followed?
# 6. Does it reveal a command to obey?
The guard leads to the 7th and final question: “What central truth is this passage teaching me that protects me from harm.
Now to help you remember these 7 questions of the complete Sword Method, use the acronym
~ INSPECT ~
I = Instruct
N - Need
S = Sin
P = Promise
E = Example
C = Command
T = Truth
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(I) What does this text INSTRUCT me about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
(N) What do I NEED to learn about myself, people or mankind?
(S) Does it reveal a SIN to be avoided?
(P) Does it reveal a PROMISE to keep?
(E) Does it reveal an EXAMPLE to follow?
(C) Does it reveal a COMMAND to keep?
(T) What central TRUTH is given to protect me from harm?
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6) “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10.
Lets apply the complete Sword Method.
Question #1: (I) What does this Bible passage instruct us about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
A - Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name although they had never met. This would reveal that God cares for us as individuals and knows us by name.
B - Jesus wanted to stay at the home of Zacchaeus, which was a shock to other religious people. This reveals that both God and Jesus view people differently than we do.
C - Jesus came to seek and save the lost. This reveals that God cares for us and does not want any of us to be lost.
7) Question #2: (N) What do I need to learn about myself, people or mankind?
A - Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus for himself. This reveals that we need to make the effort to see Jesus for ourselves.
B - Zacchaeus responded with joy when Jesus asked to visit his home, and he opened his home for Jesus to stay in. This reveals that when Jesus asks to stay with us (Revelation 3:20), then we also should respond with joy and open the door of our hearts to Him.
C - Zacchaeus wanted to make things right with anyone he had wronged after he met Jesus. This reveals that after we meet Jesus, then we also should make things right with anyone whom we have wronged.
D - Some people were upset with Jesus deciding to stay with Zacchaeus because they thought he was a great sinner and thus not worth saving. This reveals that we need to see people through the eyes of Jesus, and not our own eyes, and to also realize that all people are worth saving, not just some.
8) Question #3: (S) - Does this passage reveal a sin that we need to avoid?
Yes: we need to avoid robbing others by theft, fraud or any other manner of stealing from them - including non-monetary areas; such as stealing away their influence or reputation by spreading rumors or evil-surmising, or stealing away their health by causing them unnecessary problems or stress, etc.
Question #4: (P) - Does this passage reveal a promise to keep?
Yes: Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost, which includes us all. So then claim that promise that Jesus has come to you to save you from being lost!
9) Question #5: (E) - Does this passage reveal an example to follow?
Yes: Zacchaeus would not allow any circumstance or physical limitation to get in his way from seeing Jesus for himself. He was small, the crowd was large, so he ran ahead and climbed a tree. This reveals that we also should not allow any circumstance or physical limitation to keep us from seeing Jesus for ourselves, but find a way to overcome these in order to find the Saviour.
Zacchaeus also showed by his actions how his heart had been changed after meeting Jesus. We also should follow this example after our heart has been changed and make things right with anyone we have wronged.
Jesus came specifically to Zacchaeus in order to save him, even though others thought Zacchaeus to be worthless. We also should follow this loving example, and specifically come to others in order to save them.
10) Question #6: (C) - Does this passage reveal any command to obey?
Yes: If we are also guilty of robbing others, then we also need to restore to them what we stole and also give them additional interest (see Exodus 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:1-5 for this commandment).
Question #7: (T) - Does this passage reveal a central truth that will protect us from harm?
Yes: If we accept Jesus, then He will also give us salvation and protect us from everlasting death.
11) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.
If you will not take the time to study God’s word of life for yourself, then you may lose eternal life!
“It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life”. Acts 13:46.