The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by
night to Berea,
and when they arrived they went into the Jewish
synagogue.
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica;
they received the
word with all eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things
were so.
(Acts 17:10–11 ESV)
There are two main ways to sit down with your Bible. And
actually, it is important to have BOTH for a healthy Spiritual diet. (I smile
as I write this because you are probably wondering “Huh?”). The first way to
study, is devotionally. The second way is a Book Study/Survey for
understanding.
> So, the first way to approach your study time is
“Devotionally” and there are actually two parts to this: the first is when you
sit and read His Word to simply let it refresh you. This is when you are open
to just receiving a fresh new Word God might want to share with you. And
second, this is a time for Him to nourish you, and prepare you for
instructions, direction, and personal application. Devotional study is more to
feed our hearts, and to be able to see a reflection of God’s heart, which
deepens our relationship with Him.
- The
word “Devotional” comes from the word “Devotion” which means: dedication,
consecration, worship, and sincere attachment. This type of study leads to
an increase of dedication and consecration to God. It also leads to a more
personal relationship with God and helps us to worship Him more in our
hearts and with our lives. This type of study also helps us to lean key
principles that can be applied to our lives, helping us to not only be hearers
of the Word, but doers of the Word, as well.
During this time, you will want to pick: key verses, record
insight into this Word that God is giving you, respond to personal application
so that the lesson is brought out into your own life, and personal prayer
regarding what God is teaching you through this verse.
- Questions
to consider during this time: is God giving you an example to follow? Is
there an error to avoid? Is there a duty to perform, or is there a promise
to claim?
When you are devotionally reading, this is a good time to
use your reading guide to follow whatever reading plan God has directed you
to. This is also a good time to just absorb His Word as you read, and make note
of any verses that God highlights to you, and also to write them down to
meditate on them later throughout the day. Then the second part of this
devotional time, is where you can use this time to look up any Cross references
for these verses, and prayfully ask God to work them into you, and help you to
understand how they apply to your life, and how He would have you to stand on
them. This is also a good time to write in your journal, and to apply the tips
we’ve given on how to make the most of your quiet time.
- During
this devotional time, it is always good to think about: What does this
teach me about God, His Son, or His Holy Spirit? What does it teach me
about myself? What applications can I apply so that this lesson from His
Word can become more personal? This can be compared to “looking in the
mirror” and seeing your reflection in God’s Word… and even more… seeing
the reflection of God as He reveals Himself (and HIS HEART) to you in a
more personal manner, so that you can grow deeper in your relationship
with Him, and then be a light to others.
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The second way to approach your study time is in a “Survey
Study for Knowledge and Understanding” (which again, is what we are going to be
doing in this group). This is when you come before God and say, “Lord, teach me
so that I can understand the MEAT of Your Word.” You can do this as a Book
Study, Chapter Study, Word Study, or a Topical Study.
This type of studying can be considered as a “Synthetic
Bible Study” meaning to gain a general knowledge of its contents for overall
historical understanding, and to gain a better appreciation of the original
content and meaning. At this time, you are “looking at the BIG picture” and
grasping the whole (or meat) of what was said, and why. This study time tends
to lead to a broader view and a more deeper knowledge (thus understanding) of
the Word of God, whereas in your “devotional study time” you are zooming in to
see up close and personal.
When you sit down for this “Survey for Knowledge-- Study
Time,” it should be looked at as a time set aside to “dig deeper” into His Word
(and maybe even use this time to do a “formal Bible study” written by a
Biblical teacher). Whereas your devotional study time is more heartfelt, and a
time to feed your spirit; this time is for you to apply your ear as a student
of the Word, so that God can teach YOU, so that you can grow not only WITH Him,
but IN Him. This not only strengthens your own faith, but also will help you to
be able to share what YOU have learned with others, thereby helping to
strengthen their faith. Also, the reason this type of study time is so
important, is so that YOU can come before God to, “search His Word” and know
for certain the truth of His Word, thereby protecting yourself from falling
under the influence of “false teaching.
I hope this helps. I am really looking forward to our time together in study!
Have a blessed day,
Kassie
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