Last week we started looking at some other ways to study besides the standby, straight through, verse-by-verse method. We started with the character profile. This week we'll take a quick look at a topical study.Studying about a particular subject can be as quick and easy as checking in the back of your Bible in the index or concordance. Here's how it works.
- Put together a list of synonyms for your topic.
- Look them up in your concordance/index
- Run the references listed, taking notes on the things you learn.
- Ask God about the application.
For example, my boys and I studied Acts 10, where Cornelius and Peter both see a vision from God. Lets say after that lesson, I wanted to find out more about visions. (You know, if you tell your teacher or small group leader that you studied more after class, not only will you make their day, but you might keep them from hiding from the nominating committee next time.)
Synonyms for vision include dream and trance. No matter what type of reference you have, check all your synonyms. A concordance will list each word separately, but my subject index also had a separate listing for dream and vision.
In my notes on the references, I could list all the folks who had visions, how God used the vision, the nature of the messages and so on.
Then before I leave my desk, I should take a moment to ask God what He wants me to do with the information. All Bible study, even the topical kind, should result in greater Christlikeness. Maybe He wants me to have a greater appreciation for the urgency of His message. Maybe He wants me to see how powerfully He used ordinary people. Who knows. Just don't skip this step.
Be aware though, topical studies have tendency to grow once you begin. Anything more than that scan of the back of your Bible will likely involve more than one study session. Nothing wrong with that. It's just a heads up.
What topics have you studied? What insights have you gained?