Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Bible Study
Fridays are Show and Tell at Canadagirl's blog. Check it out!
I know that it is Saturday but I'm just now getting a chance to do my Show and Tell. I don't have any picture to show this week but some telling and sharing to do.
I set out at the beginning of this year with a goal of reading my Bible every day. Instead of trying to read my Bible through in a year, I felt it was a better goal for me to read every day. Well, in working on that habit/goal, I was keeping up with the reading schedule that my church provided. Not only that, but I was actually ahead of schedule. That fueled me on and at the end of July, I finished my Bible reading for the year!!
As I was finishing up my reading I thought to myself "What or how will I read now?" I like structure. My Bible "accidentally" fell open to pages at the beginning of my Bible and the title really caught my eye: "How to Study the Bible"
So after reading through that, I gleaned and decided to try and to adapt some of the things listed to help me in further studying. I typed up a little list of things, printed it out on card stock, got a spiral note book ($0.10 from Wal-Mart), and chose a book. I feel the Lord led me to the book of Romans. I am doing what is considered a paragraph study. I'm using the sub-headings in my Bible to break up portions of scripture.
My list of things to do:
- Pray (Psalm 119:18, John 16:13-15)
- Read slowly, read again out loud
- Questions:
- Main subject?
- Persons revealed? Who is speaking? About whom is he speaking or speaking to? Who is acting? Who are considered the "main characters?"
- Key verse?
- Significant truth?
- What does this passage teach me about the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Does this passage portray any sin for me to confess and forsake?
- Does this passage contain any command for me to obey?
- Is there any promise for me to claim?
- Is there any instruction for me to follow?
- Cross references
- What has God said to me today through this passage?
- Meditate on scripture studied.
Not every question can be answered for what you are reading. But it does make me think through it.
I think the first time I realized that this was going to change the way I read and study the Bible was working the first seven verses of chapter 1 of Romans. (By the way, did you realize that those seven verses are one sentence?) As I got to question 5, What does this passage teach me about the Lord Jesus Christ, I was thinking "I don't think there is much for me to get from just the greeting of Paul to the Romans for this question." Boy was I wrong! He is mentioned 5 times in these 7 verses. We see His power, humanity, sovereignty, peace...
I have been getting SO much out of my Bible reading. God has really been showing me things. As I was reading through one of the portions, it wasn't speaking of any particular sin but God kept bringing something to my mind, totally unrelated, that I needed to take care of. But He is also showing me things right from the scripture as well.
I am excited and looking forward to what else God has in store for me.
Comments
Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
What a awesome S&T my friend !!! I am going to do what you were talking about. I LOVE how you said to just make it a goal to read every day. I am going to start there and move forward. You are such a inspiration.
Thank you my SSiC ((hugs))
In Him<><
-Mary
Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
What a wonderful job you are doing. No wonder He is blessing you with new insights and rewards.
Blessings,
Jenn
Saturday, August 11, 2007 - wow!
Posted by SuzyScribbles
That was quite a Telling for our Show and TELL. I admire you GREATLY for your diligence, organization and committment to the Word. I use the little Moody This Day in the Word and I feel like I've started the day "right" when I do it!
May God richly bless you for your in-depth study of his Word.
Sunday, August 12, 2007 - I love this!
Posted by tiredmom
What a cool way to focus on the journey (reading/studying) as opposed to the destination (finish in one year)!
Monday, August 13, 2007 - Great Post
Posted by elliott10
I agree with the commitment to read every day. It is much more attainable and then you don't feel the need to rush through the reading to get done and stay "on schedule."
Great post. I really like the idea of studying with the questions handy.
Monday, August 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Yes, I agree to reading the Bible each day. That's one of my key factor's to begin my day. I need my time with our Father in heaven. Our children, DD's are the same way too. They open up to their Bible in the morning, and go to sleep with their Bible too. Each one has a daily devotional book, right on their age group With DS, I read 2 pages out of his scripture bible each night. Sometimes he will read to me too. But, then he love's mom's version a lot better. I put the sound into it, make the motion's and etc. So glad that you've found a awesome way to spend with your devotional time.
A wonderful and spiritual S&T,
Debbie
www.homeschoolblogger.com/mychildrenandme
Monday, August 20, 2007 - Great post!
Posted by StonyHillHomeSchool
That is great that you finished your Bible reading in a year! I have been working toward that, but didn't make it in a year, still working on it. I use a little booklet with a Bible in a year Reading plan and I highlight the ones that I read each day, if I miss a day, I don't try to make it up, but just continue on with the plan. When I look back, I can see at a glance when I have started slipping on devotions and I think about what was going on and how the days went.... I can always see that things are so much better when I get my devotions in.
You are an inspiration! Keep it up! :0)
Darlene
