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.

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.

	50 Favorite Bible Stories from the Old Testament

	Story Name The Beginning Adam and Eve The Fall God’s Grief Promise to Noah Tower of Babel Call of Abram Abraham Pleads for Sodom Abraham Tested with Isaac Jacob and Esau Isaac’s Blessing Jacob Wrestles with God Joseph Sold by His Brothers Joseph makes Himself Known Birth of Moses Moses and the Burning Bush Crossing the Sea Manna and Quail Ten Commandments Golden Calf Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel Rahab and the Spies Joshua Renews the Covenant Deborah the Judge Gideon’s Fear, Faith, and Fleece Gideon Defeats the Midianites Samson and Delilah Birth and Dedication of Samuel The Lord Calls Samuel Israel Asks for a King Samuel Anoints David David and Goliath David and Bathsheba Nathan Rebukes David Solomon’s Wisdom and Ruling Solomon’s Wealth and Women Elijah and the Priests of Baal The Still, Small Voice Elisha Heals a Woman’s Son Josiah Renews the Covenant Nehemiah Prays / Ask the King Job Tested Isaiah’s Vision Valley of the Dry Bones Daniel refuses the King’s Food Three Men in a Fiery Furnace Daniel in the Lion’s Den Jonah Runs Away from God Jonah Frets God’s Mercy	Bible Book—Chapter: & Verse Genesis 1:1–2:3 Genesis 2:15–25 Genesis 3:1–23 Genesis 6:5–8 Genesis 8:13–22 Genesis 11:1–9 Genesis 11:27–12:7 Genesis 18:16–33 Genesis 22 Genesis 25:19–34 Genesis 27:11–33 Genesis 32:9–32 Genesis 37:12–36 Genesis 45:1–15 Exodus 2:1–10 Exodus 3:1–15 Exodus 14:21–31 Exodus 16:1–31 Exodus 20:3–17 Exodus 32 Numbers 22:21–35 Joshua 2:1–21 Joshua 24:1–27 Judges 4:1–16 Judges 6 Judges 7:1–22 Judges 16:4–22 1 Samuel 1 1 Samuel 3:1–18 1 Samuel 8:1–22 1 Samuel 16:1–13 1 Samuel 17:1–54 2 Samuel 11:1–27 2 Samuel 12:1–14 1 Kings 3:4–28 1 Kings 10:23–11:6 1 Kings 18:16–45 1 Kings 19:1–19 2 Kings 4:8–37 2 Kings 23:1–25 Nehemiah 1:1–2:9 Job 1 Isaiah 6 Ezekiel 37:1–14 Daniel 1 Daniel 3:13–30 Daniel 6:1–24 Jonah 1 Jonah 4


	50 Favorite Bible Stories from the New Testament

	Story Name The Word Became Flesh Birth of Jesus Foretold Shepherds & Angels at Birth Jesus Presented in the Temple John the Baptist Prepares the Way The Temptation of Jesus The Calling of Andrew The Calling of Simon Requested of James and John Zacchaeus the Tax Collector Jesus Rejected at Nazareth Jesus Anointed by Sinful Woman Woman Caught in Adultery Jesus Heals a Paralytic The Christ Must Die Transfiguration of Jesus Jesus Is the Good Shepherd The Beatitudes Do Not Worry Wise and Foolish Builders Jesus Teaching on Prayer The Rich Ruler and Eternal Life Jesus Changes Water to Wine Jesus Teaches Nicodemus Jesus and the Samaritan Woman Healing of a Possessed Man Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Jesus Walks on Water Raising of Lazarus The Sower The Unmerciful Servant The Talents The Good Samaritan The Rich Fool The Great Banquet The Prodigal Son The Pharisee & the Tax Collector Jesus Clears the Temple Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet Jesus Is the Way to the Father Jesus Anointed at Bethany Jesus at Gethsemane Peter Disowns Jesus Jesus before Pilate The Death of Jesus The Resurrection On the Road to Emmaus Jesus Appears to Thomas Jesus Reinstates Peter The Great Commision	Bible Book—Chapter: & Verse John 1:1–18 Luke 1:26–38 Luke 2:1–20 Luke 2:21–40 Mark 1:1–8 Luke 4:1–13 John 1:35–42 Luke 5:1–11 Mark 10:35–42 Luke 19:1–10 Luke 4:14–30 Luke 7:36–50 John 7:53–8:11 Mark 2:1–12 Mark 16:13–28 Mark 9:2–13 John 10:1–21 Matthew 5:3–12 Matthew 6:25–34 Matthew 7:24–29 Luke 11:1–13 Luke 18:18–30 John 2:1–11 John 3:1–21 John 4:1–26 Luke 8:26–39 Mark 6:30–44 Matthew 14:22–36 John 11:1–44 Matthew 13:1–23 Matthew 18:21–35 Matthew 25:14–30 Luke 10:25–37 Luke 12:13–21 Luke 14:15–24 Luke 15:11–32 Luke 18:9–14 Mark 11:12–19 John 13:1–17 John 14:1–14 Mark 14:1–11 Mark 14:32–42 Mark 14:66–72 Matthew 27:11–26 Matthew 27:45–56 Luke 24:1–12 Luke 24:13–35 John 20:24–31 John 21:15–25 Matthew 28:16-20