Bible Study: digging deeper #1

I mentioned previously that I was going to share a Bible Study approach that I had been taught. This approach, which I had always called "homiletics" (with the result called a "homiletic"), has for years helped me prepare for preaching, leading discussions, teaching classes, and even generating a list of questions for others to review before discussions in a group setting.

However, as I looked at the origins of the word, homiletics seems to be focused primarily on preparation for the delivery of a sermon (also called a homily). When viewed this way, I believe this limits the approach to just preaching as opposed to the benefits of personal application. So, as yet unnamed, I will attempt to describe this Bible Study approach simply as a way to dig deeper into the Bible in order to uncover lessons and truths before (finally) applying them in our everyday lives.

To begin, we identify the scriptures we are going to study. This can be an entire book of the Bible or just a few verses. It depends on what is to be accomplished. If it is a "survey" of a Bible book, then this can be used to paint a broad, but helpful picture of the key "takeaways" of the book. If it is a few verses or a chapter of a Bible book, then a more detailed look is possible and, therefore, more specific lessons, truths, and applications can result. In this example, I choose just a few verses - namely, Acts 1.

There are seven basic elements of this approach - six of which we will address over the next few blog posts. I will define them here:

• Define the Scriptures at hand. As stated above, we've already done this step. In this example, we are studying the first chapter of Acts, verses 1-26.
• Content Items. No more than 20, these are factual, without "interpretation", and focus the studier to limit his/her thoughts to "just the facts, maam."
• Content Summary. Divide the content items into groups of 2-4 with headings that describe (or summarize) the content group.
• Subject Sentence. 10 words or less to describe the entire section of Scripture in the study.
• Aim. What is the point of this overall lesson?
• Lessons/Truths. Typically one or two per content summary item, this is where the rubber hits the road with regard to what this study is teaching you.
• Applications. After all this, you've cut this set of Scriptures nine ways to Sunday. Now, what are you going to do about it?

Stay tuned as I dive deeper into each of the remaining six elements. Next step: develop the content items.