METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY

Rev. Angel F. Guillermo

Introduction. The Bible is the oldest book in the world. The most ancient portion
of the Bible dated back for almost 4,000 years. Yet still the modern book in the
world today; for in it we find the answers to life’s greatest questions.
 Where did man come from?
 What is the origin of the universe?
 What is the true purpose of life?
 What does the future hold for mankind?
 How can we know the truth about life death and the future?
 How can we know what God is like?

THE BIBLE :

BIBLE – from the Greek word “biblios” MEANING THE BOOK.

The Holy Scriptures Romans 1:2

Sacred writings = 2 Tim. 3:15
“Scriptures” Matt. 22:29; Mk. 12:24

SECTIONS OF THE BIBLE

OLD TESTAMENT DIVISION

1. THE PENTATEUCH / THE LAW OR BOOK OF MOSES

Genesis Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy

2. THE HISTORY BOOKS

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles,
Ezra , Nehemiah, Ester.

3. THE POETICAL BOOKS

Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Song of Solomon

4. THE PROPHETS
A. MAJOR PROPHETS
Isaiah, Jeremiah. Lamentation, Ezekiel, Daniel

B. MINOR PROPHETS
Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

NEW TESTAMENT DIVISION

1. GOSPELS = Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

2. HISTORY = Acts.
 3. PAULINE EPISTLES. Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippi, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy,
Titus, Philemon, Hebrews

4. PASTORAL & GENERAL EPISTLES: James, I & II Peter, I & II –III

John, & Jude.

5. PROPHECY = The book of Revelation.

The Need of Studying the Bible.

 Jesus commanded it
 Paul encourages every believer to study.
 There is a great misuse of the Bible.
There are many benefits when we study the Bible.

1. PREPARATION FOR BIBLE STUDY

l. Basic Principles of Studying the Bible.

a. You must do the original investigation. Before using other sources

you must do it first
.
b. You must have a written reproduction. Be sure that you must have a
pen and notebook.
c. Be consistent and systematic.
d. Pass on to able man of what you discover.
e. Apply in your life what you learn.

ll. Basic Steps in Bible Study

1. OBSERVATION – “What does the Scripture say?”

2. INTERPRETATION – “What does this mean?”
3. SUMMARIZE –to present the main points and accompanying
details in some brief concluding way.
4. EVALUATION – to determine whether what you are reading is an
eternal principle or a local custom applicable only in the local Bible-
time situation.
5. APPLICATION – “How would I apply this principle in my life?”
6. CORRELATION – “How does this fit in with the total body of
Scripture?”

III. Basic Tools for Bible Study

 1. Have your own BIBLE. It is helpful to have more than one version of the
Bible so you can compare the wording of difficult passages of Scripture.
2. Your EYES and MIND are the second tool for study.
3. PEN and PAPER.
4. BIBLE CONCORDANCE, BIBLE DICTIONARY, BIBLE COMMENTARY
IV Basic Questions
1. Fact questions
A. Identifying questions ask WHO and WHAT.
B. Modal questions ask HOW?
C. Temporal questions ask WHEN?
D. Local questions ask WHERE?
2. Thought Questions
A. Definitive questions ask, “What does this mean?”
B. Rational questions ask WHY? “Why is this said?” “Why is this said
here”
C. Implicational questions ask, “ What does this imply?”

3. The Content & Context basic question is use to get the authors idea.
a. The Question of Context ( why it is said?) There are two kinds of
context.
- Historical Context = has to do with the general setting of the
documents. Place, geography, people, religion, and economy.
- Literary Context has to do with why a given thing was said at a
given point in the argument of the narrative.
b. The Question of Content (what is said?)
- Textual Criticism = the determination of the actual wording of
the
author.
- lexical data = the meaning of the words
- Grammatical data = the relationship of words to one another
- Historical Cultural Background= the relationship of words and
ideas to the background and culture of the author and his
readers.
.