How to Study Scripture Part 2
Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2nd Timothy 2:15
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In the last
session we simply looked at this text, what it was commanding us to do and why.
Now I’d like to for us to consider a few practical ways to carry out this
command. I have mentioned previously that the best Bible to have is the one
that’s going to keep us reading. I also mentioned having a good Study Bible.
A good Study Bible will lead you to having a good Bible Study, because large
portions of the research have already been done by the editors and scholars. In
addition, a good Study Bible will help guide you in a proper way of considering
the text. Some other tools to consider would be a lexicon, a complete concordance
and another Bible. You should always have at least two copies of the text when
you study. This adds depth to your observations. You’ll need a way to mark the
text and take notes.
I’ve come to love acronyms; they make things
easy to understand and remember. I’m going to give you three helpful acronyms
and you’ll see that even though they seem a little repetitive each one is a
progression of the other.
The acronyms
are: S.O.A.P, M.A.P.S and C.I.A.
S.O.A.P =
Scripture. Observation. Application. Prayer. This is a great method for
beginners. With this method you’re simply looking at the text and observing
what it says. As you’re pondering the text, you’ll ask the questions: “What
does this teach me about God?” “What does it show me about myself?” “How should
I respond to what I’ve read?” These questions are not exhaustive. If you have a
good Study Bible there may be questions already posed, work through those
questions. Once you’ve worked through the questions and observed the text,
pray. You can pray the text itself; this is especially true of Psalms and
Proverbs. Some texts are easier to pray than others, but I want to encourage
you to fight through the difficulty. Praying scripture is going to affect your
prayer life and make it more vibrant.
M.A.P.S =
Meditation/Memorization. Asking/Applying. Praying/Praising. Sharing
This method
was taught to me by, David Platt, one of my favorite Teaching Pastors. At first
glance MAPS looks a lot like SOAP because it is, except now, you’re moving
into a more in-depth form of study. Meditation here is not emptying your mind
and becoming one with the quiet. Meditation is to ponder and think deeply about
what you’ve just read. This means you’ll have to slow down. This takes discipline and diligence. As you’re meditating on the scripture take some time
to memorize what you’ve read or maybe a passage that has stood out during your
reading. In addition to asking the questions mentioned in the SOAP process you
may begin asking “How did this come across to the original hearers?” “What’s
happening here and why is it happening?” finally, you’ll ask “How should I
respond to this?” All of this will take you to a place of praise and worship
and prayer. It may involve repentance. It may cause you to rejoice in the
Salvation of God provided through the Person and Work of Christ Jesus. It may
lead you to pray for lost loved ones or for strength to endure. The last step
in MAPS is sharing. Meet with a good friend and discuss your time in Scripture.
Pray for opportunities to share what you’ve learned with someone who has not
come to Christ yet. The Holy Spirit will give you both the opportunity and the
words to say so there’s no need to be afraid.
The last one
is my favorite. I’m ever thankful to Jen Wilkin of The Village Church in Flower
Mound, TX, for opening my eyes to it. God is so gracious. This last one came at
a time when I was really struggling with reading my Bible. I missed reading it,
but I had a hard time even using SOAP and MAPS I just struggled. God in His
Grace introduced me to Jen Wilkin through her book, Women of the Word. I
highly recommend it to you.
C.I.A = Comprehension.
Interpretation. Application.
Housed inside
of this are the 5 Ps of Study
1. Purpose: The Bible is not about us.
The Bible is God’s revealed declaration of who He is.
2. Perspective: Learn to see through the
lens of the Story of Scripture
3. Patience: Patience is the pathway to
learning. Be patient with the text and yourself
4. Process: It’s okay to repeat steps.
Take time to digest what you’ve read
5. Prayer: Just do it as you go. Ask for
God’s help. He LOVES sharing with you.
This takes
disciplined diligence and I testify to its richness. It doesn’t make tough
passages any easier, but it does take the pressure off. I have spent months in
books of The Bible using this method and each time I can walk away saying I know
God better and that’s the whole point of a study, to “show ourselves approved
by God”.
Comprehension asks What does the text say? This is
different than simply observing the text. This involves reading and re-reading
the text and taking careful notes and writing questions you have as they come
up. You’ll need a printed copy of the text you’re studying, and it should be double
or triple spaced because you’re going to need room for notes and questions. You may want to put the text in your own words or write out what you're understanding is of this passage at this point. Get
colored pencils or makers so that you can underline repeated phrases or words. As
you begin to remember other passages of scripture write those down and review
them while you’re reading the text. Allow Scripture to speak for Scripture. You’ll quickly see the continuity of The Bible as
you seek to comprehend what’s being said.
Interpretation is what does the text mean. Notice,
not what does it mean to me just what does it mean. What’s the point of the
passage? This will involve a little bit of linguistics. Remember the Bible is
written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. English is not the Bible’s first language,
so if we’re going to understand it, we’re going to have to learn its language.
This is where dictionaries, lexicons and concordances will be a huge help to
you. The biggest help will be that second or third Bible you have, and your Study
Bible will get you through some tough hurdles as well.
Application is how should this change me? Now,
we’re talking head, heart and hands. How should I be thinking regarding what
the Scriptures are showing me? Now we’re praying for a shift in our worldview.
How should we be processing what we’ve read? Our heart needs to be transformed
if we are to do this and that’s a work that only The Holy Spirit can do and as
a result of this transformation our (hands) life is lived out differently. We
have a different response to situations and circumstances and our life in God
is full in Christ because it’s fueled by the transforming power of The Holy Spirit
via God’s Word.
I hope you
find these helpful and that by God’s grace you’ll be invigorated in your
reading of Scripture as you delight to know God.
In Christ
Storm
In Christ
Storm
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