Edgewood

    Presbyterian

 Church

3617 Macon Road

Columbus Georgia

echurch@bellsouth.net

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BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

FOUR EASY STEPS TO UNLOCKING THE BIBLE

Unlocking the Bible so that it makes sense and is relevant to your life is not as mysterious a process as you might imagine.  For most people, a simple four step approach will yield great rewards and go a long way to unlocking the meaning of the Bible in a practical way.

Here are the four steps:  Observe, Interpret, Reflect, and Apply.

Step 1:  Observe.

The first step in unlocking the meaning of the Bible is to read the selected passage. Make who, what, where, when, why, and how type observations.

Who—are the characters in the story, who is speaking or writing the passage, and who is the intended audience? Who do you identify with in this passage?

What—is happening, what is being said, and what is the effect on the characters or audience. What is expected of the characters in the story or the hearers of these words? What purpose does this passage serve?

Where—does the story, writing, or action take place? Does this have an impact on your understanding of the passage? Where is God in this passage?

When—does the event take place, when was the story, poetry or letter written? Do the events preceding and following this passage affect its meaning?

Why—is this story being told? Why are these particular words being said? Why are these events taking place?

How—is the passage or story presented? How does the action unfold? How are the people involved affected or changed by what happens?

Step 2:  Interpret

Once you have made all your observations, you must interpret the information you have gathered. How does what you have learned apply to the present day? Are there people or situations in your life or world context that remind you of the people and situations in the biblical passage you are studying?

If the passage you are reading is a story, try putting yourself in the story.  Read the scripture repeatedly and each time imagine yourself to be a different character. Do this exercise placing yourself in the historic context as well as the present day.

Finally, try retelling the story or passage using your own words. Imagine how you would tell the story differently if you were telling it to a child, teenager, single adult, married person, or a senior adult.

Step 3:  Reflect

To reflect on a passage of scripture means to ask what it reveals about you. Having placed yourself in the biblical story, what have you learned about yourself? Are there things about yourself that you appreciate more? Are you more aware of ways in which God is at work in your life? Have you learned things about yourself that need to be changed or have you discovered ways in which you need to grow?

Ultimately, this is the real challenge in reading the Bible—honestly assessing what the text is saying about you.  The Word of God is not intended as a vehicle for patting ourselves on the back nor is it intended as a weapon to tear us down. It is a tool for enhancing and improving our relationship with God. Unless we allow the Bible to reflect on us, then we have little hope of reflecting the love and power of God to others.

Step 4:  Apply

All of the study in the world is of little use unless it is applied to life. When you learn something new or are reminded of something in your life, do something about it. If someone knows CPR but makes no attempt to resuscitate a person who suffers a heart attack in their presence, what good is that knowledge? Reading the Bible on a daily basis will only transform your life if you are willing to apply what you learn.

Suggested Plans For Daily Bible Reading

• Begin with the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) reading a chapter at a time or a section at a time. Skip the genealogies. Next try reading the letters of Paul (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon).  Imagine the letters are being written to you.

• Read the story passages from the Old Testament (i.e. Adam & Eve, Noah’s Ark, Jonah & the Whale, David & Goliath. Discover new stories by skimming until you come to a story. Many modern translations have section headings to assist you in this approach.

• Open the Bible at random and read the passage that most strikes you on one of the two facing pages.

• Follow a “Read the Bible in a Year” plan or use a daily devotional such as the Guide Post or Daily Walk. Read the passage that goes with the devotion for the day.

100 Favorite Bible Stories

One of the best ways to get to know someone is to hear the stories of their life: who are the important people in their life and why; what is the most exciting thing that ever happened to them; where were they born or where have they lived; when did they first realize that someone loved them and how?

All the questions that occur to people regarding their relationships with others apply equally to our relationship with God. Therefore, if we wish to grow closer to God, we need to know the stories of God’s life with everyday people.

Below you find a list of 100 Favorite Bible Stories. Each one is like a window into the special relationship that God offers to all his children. As you become familiar with these stories, it is our hope at EPC that it will awaken in you the stories of your relationship with God. With each story you remember and share with others, may God strengthen you in your ability to share God’s love with others.