Featured Methods of Bible Study

Bible character studies are a good way to study. I was looking through some old sermon notes and found this one done many years ago, so I typed it in:

Design for a Daniel, Greatly Beloved​

1. God gave him special talents (1:4). He dedicated these talents to God.
2. Daniel purposed in his heart not to be controlled by the flesh (1:8).
3. He trusted God’s power (1:8-19).
4. He sought and received wisdom and understanding (1:20).
5. He made good friends (2:17).
6. He went to God first with his problems before trying to solve them himself (2:18).
7. He was a man of prayer (2:20-23).
8. He had courage (2:27ff).
9. He was a witness for God. 2:27ff).
10. He remembered his friends (2:49).
11. He controlled his tongue (4:19, 7:28).
12. He was known for his dedication (5:11-12).
13. He regarded not men (5:22-28).
14. His enemies were enemies of God who made themselves his enemies (6:5).
15. He inspired dedication, respect and admiration in others (6:14).
16. He had perfect faith (6:10).
17. He gave glory to God (6:22).
18. He wrote God’s Word (7:1).
19. He sought to understand God’s Word (7:15-16).
20. He read God’s Word (9:2).
21. He fasted (9:3).
22. He was concerned for his people (9:5ff).
23. He knew God’s nature (9:7).
24. He had endurance and dedication (10:2).
25. He was individualistic (10:7).
26. He set his heart to understand (10:12).
27. He set out to chasten himself before God (10:12).
28. His strength was from the Lord (10:19).

 

Here's an example of how translating the Bible is a means of Bible study. Today Uncle Miya and I were working on the revision of Mark 7 when we came to v. 34, "And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened."

Our problem was, unlike Greek and English, there are two words for "sigh" in Japanese. After much discussion we chose the word for sighing from tiredness rather than sighing from sadness. Christ had just come from the area of Tyre and Sidon, which was kind of a resort area of the first century with a nice climate, beaches and mountains. But He was not able to rest much there apparently, so probably was still tired at the time. We coiuldn't think of any reason He would be sad at that time, so we think we got it right.

 

Geeky is good!

 

Another way to study is by doctrines. First of all, exegete the main passages on a subject. For example, in studying the incarnation of Christ, Luke 2, John 1 and Phil. 2 are essential. I would further study the various systematic theologies, commentaries and perhaps Machen's book on The Virgin Birth.

This is the type of study where outside sources are important, since the evangelical church down through the centuries has solidified various important doctrines. Only a foolish person would ignore the work of great scholars down through the years in the area of the incarnation, for example.

 

The miner cannot find gold without digging.