In the last article we introduced study of the Bible by topic.  Hopefully you have started already and are getting a great benefit.  Following are a few keys to making your topical Bible study the best it can be.

First, remember to be thorough.  Don’t stop with just a few verses.  Read through all verses on a subject.  It is amazing the clarity and convition that can come when you know that you have carefully studied every verse about a subject in the Bible.

It is also very important to be exact.  Find the exact meaning for the words and phrases you are studying.  Don’t assume that you “probably” know what a word means, look it up!  Also remember that a meaning today might be different from the original intent of the word.  Notice context and any parallel passages.

How, you may ask, can you find the exact meaning of a word, let alone a passage.  While mastering some topics can be daunting, most topics are easily mastered if this set of simple rules are followed:

1. Note the exact words that are used.  Don’t gloss over the words and then assume you know the intent of the passage.  Sometimes understanding one word differently can make the whole passage mean something else.
2. Get the exact meaning of the words used.  Not only from the dictionary, but from a Bible lexicon, which will describe how the word is used in the context of the Bible.  Remember, the Bible usage of a word is not always the common use of today.  (e.g. sanctification or justification)
3. Notice the context, what goes before and what comes after the verse.  This will often clear up the meaning of a verse when it appears uncertain.

Another part of context are parallel passages.  The meaning of many of the most difficult passages in the Bible is made perfectly plain by some other passage that clarifies them.  Parallel passages are given in the margin of most good reference Bibles.

Finally, be organized.  Keep good notes.  Organize the scriptures in categories which will make it easier to grasp the whole subject. When you have gone through the Bible with any subject, you will have a large amount of material, so you want to get it into practical shape by creating categories.  Each passage can be classified under these headings.  (Of course, we may have to add to the categories with which we began as we find new passages.)

Sample Topic Division for “Prayer”

1. Who Can Pray so that God will Hear
2. To Whom to Pray
3. For Whom to Pray
4. When to Pray
5. Where to Pray
6. For What to Pray
7. How to Pray
8. Hindrances to Prayer
9. The Results of Prayer

P.S. A type of topical Bible study, is to do Character Studies.  There are many great men and women in the Bible.  A study of their lives will give us hope, inspire us, and make us bold to follow in their footsteps.  Who do you want to imitate?

Tags: Bible Study, Topical

Some people think that the Bible is magical.  We get up in the morning, read some Psalms and it supernaturally helps us to have a better day.  Let me tell you something, the Bible won’t do anything for you unless you understand it.

Don’t be careless in your reading.  Spend time with each verse until you can answer these questions: 1) what did this verse mean when it was written, 2) what does this verse mean now to me, and 3) is that ALL it means?

Make up your mind to study the Bible.  A verse must often be read and re-read until the meaning begins to sink in.  It is almost like marinating a piece of meat – it takes a while for the flavor to come out.  Treat God’s Word like you would an artistic masterpiece.  You don’t just glance at it and say “well, there is a guy and his horse and they are fighting some demon things…”  No.  What does it mean!  Who are the people in the background?  Why is the picture dark?  There is much to appreciate in the Bible if you spend time meditating on it.

How to Study a Topic in the Bible

Studying the Bible by Topics is the simplest, most fascinating and fastest way to understand a topic you want to know about.  While knowing the opinions of great thinkers may be benefitial, it is far more important to know what God has to say on any subject.  Studying by topic is the way to understand God’s mind.

It is easy to get started.  First, get a good Topical Study Bible.  Second, find the topic by looking in the index of your new Bible.  It will have a long list of scriptures dealing with the subject you choose.  Look them up, one at a time, and study each carefully until you are sure you understand what they are trying to teach.  When you finish, you will know about that topic than you would if you sat through a lecture or read a book on the subject.

Sometimes you will need to also do a word search to find all passages that talk about a particular subject.  If you find important passages, write them in the margins of your Bible.

Be Systematic in your topical study.  We all go through tough times; it is good to study topics that will help us through those times.  To figure out what would be good for you to study ask yourself these questions like these:

• Do I need to see Jesus? Study Jesus in the Gospels.
• Do I need to be more spiritual? Study the Sermon on the Mount (in various translations).
• Do I need more faith? Study the characters in Hebrews 11.
• Do I need to learn to love others more? Study the life and writings of John.

However, we should maintain a list of the topics that are critically important and go through them all.  Unless you feel a particular spiritual need, study your list of topics one by one, in order.  If you do not do this, you will probably have a few pet topics and will be studying these over and over until you get to be a weird about them, and possibly a nuisance to your friends.  You will know much about these subjects, but about many other subjects equally important you will know nothing.  You will be a one-sided Christian.

Suggested Topics for Bible Study

To be continued…

Tags: Bible Study, Topical