Method of Study

Good Morning!

I've shared with some of my friends recently the method that Anne Graham Lotz has used while studying her Bible, for years. I implemented these steps in my Bible study time this morning and now I can see why she possesses such wisdom. Hopefully some will rub off on me! ;)

Get out a notebook OR type it on your computer which is what I did. You can always print it off and compile it in a notebook.

Here are the abbreviated steps she uses in case you too would like to try it out for yourself...

Step 1: Read God’s Word; a brief passage of scripture (one paragraph or so 2-8 verses).

Step 2: What does God's Word say? List the facts (no paraphrasing)
Make a verse-by-verse list of the outstanding facts, pinpointing the most obvious facts. Do not paraphrase or put His words into your own words but actually using words from the passage.

Step 3:What does God's Word mean? Learn the lessons.
Review the list of facts you just made and look for a lesson or spiritual principle to learn in each fact. Ask yourself, "What are the people in this passage doing or not doing that I should be or not be doing? Is there a command I should obey? A promise I should claim? A warning I should heed? An example I should follow?

Step 4: What does God's Word mean to me? Listen to His voice.
Take lessons or principles from step 3 and put them in the form of a question you could ask yourself, your spouse, your child, a friend, a neighbor or a coworker. Listen for God to speak to you personally through His Word.

Step 5: How will I respond to God's Word today? Live it out.
Listen to God speak to you personally through the passage. He may not speak to you through every verse, but He WILL speak. When He does, record the verse number, what it is He seems to be saying to you and your response to Him.

You can find her detailed instructions in most of her books but I thought this might help someone to get started.

Have a great day and don't forget to read, list, determine what it means, what is it saying to you personally and live it out!