Sage Words » Study Tip Tuesday

STT: A Balanced Diet

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:48:59 +0000

Scripture contains many "types" of writings, and just as you need to choose from all the food groups when you eat, you want a well-balanced spiritual diet. Identifying the type of writing can also help us with the interpretation and application of Scripture.

Last week we looked at promises, but as you read, you'll discover many more. I'll give you an overview here, and in the coming weeks, we'll look at each one in a little more depth.

Facts and information – These are often the "boring" parts (like the genealogy lists), but they form the background and framework into which the other stuff fits. They also remind us that God isn't giving us a fairy tale. He gives us a true account of His dealings with real people, rooted in time and place. Sometimes, the events haven't happened yet.

Commands – The Bible is sometimes unfairly judged as a book of "don'ts", but the "do's" are far more prevalent.

Guidance – These are more subtle than the do's and don'ts, and are often more figurative. The book of Proverbs and Jesus' parables fall into this category.

Warnings – Closely linked to the "don'ts" are the cautions and consequences. Sometimes, these are easily identified with words such as "beware", "take heed" or "watch". Other times, there is an implied warning in a bad example.

Prayer and praise – In these, the writer talks to God, either about his situation (prayer) or about God's greatness (praise). You find these in the Psalms for sure, but they show up all through the Bible.

Did I leave any out? Do you find you prefer one food group?

STT: Promises, Promises

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:36:07 +0000

One of the greatest joys in Bible study is discovering the promises that Almighty God has made to us as His children. The promises aren't hard to spot – watch for God's "I will" statements.

For example, yesterday morning, I read in Hebrews where the writer quoted Jeremiah. God says, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." In context, this happens when God institutes the New Covenant with Israel, (and with us, too) the one that rests on the work of Jesus Christ. Go back and read that last part again. "…their sins… I will remember no more." God promises He will not remember our sins, will not bring them up again, will not use them against us ever again. They are gone. We are free. He promises. Wow!

The Gospels are full of promises in Jesus' own words- "I will come again and receive you to Myself."
"Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

And the list goes on and on.

As you read and study, watch for the promises God makes to you, and savor each one. Of course, not every promise has the explicit "I will" form, but catching those will help get you in the habit of spotting them. You may even want to devote a section in your notebook, or a blank page in your Bible, for keeping track of them.

Ah, Peace! (lynnmosher.blogspot.com)
Rejoice in Hope (lynnmosher.blogspot.com)

STT: Seeing Ourselves

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:30:13 +0000

We've discussed how our study time should reveal God in some way, drawing us closer, and highlighting His character. Scripture also serves as a mirror, showing us our true selves.

Sometimes, we learn about mankind in general. Like in Psalm 8, we find out God crowned us with glory and honor. Human beings were the pinnacle of His creation. In Hebrews 2:17, we find out Jesus had to become a human, like us, in order to be a proper High Priest for us.

However, there are also verses that get more personal. For example, Psalm 94:19 says, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." This one tells me that when I'm feeling stressed, or worried or concerned (or whatever other synonym) I'm not alone. David, the man after God's own heart, felt them too. It also tells me, I can feel one hundred and eighty degrees different- comfort and delight. Comfort, God's personal comfort, is available, and there is room for it, even in the middle of the anxiety.

So- as you study, look for things the Scripture may be telling you about yourself. Do you see yourself mirrored in the verses or in the people and their situations? Is it encouraging, or maybe convicting?

On a more personal note- Psalm 65:11 says "You crown the year with Your goodness." I'm thankful and humbled by His grace and goodness for these 43 years.

STT: Back to Basics

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:24:21 +0000

My son heads back to school today, so in honor of that, let's review the basics of good Bible study. In school, you start with the ABCs. When you study, you always come back to the OIAs (Awkward, I know) Observation, Interpretation, and Application. (At least they all end in 'ation'.)

Observation – What does the Bible SAY?
Let's look at a familiar example. "The Lord is my shepherd."
The- There is only one.
Lord- Ruler over all
Is-Present tense
My- personal pronoun
Shepherd-someone who tends sheep.

Interpretation – What does it MEAN?
Don't let this part throw you. You interpret Scripture all the time without realizing it. For instance, no one has to tell you you are not a sheep and God is not really a sheep-herder. Your command of language has already told you this is a metaphor, a word picture designed to make a point. So in comparing God to a shepherd, what does this mean? God selflessly cares for our every need. He protects us.
Putting that interpretation with what we observed, we find out The One Sovereign Ruler over all presently, currently takes care of me, personally.

Application – What do I DO?
Now that we know what the Bible SAYS and what that MEANS, how should we live as a result? Is there something that I need to change? If I know that God is taking care of me, maybe I won't worry about a rumor of layoffs, or test results from the doctor. Maybe I'll stop trying to do everything myself. Maybe I'll sleep better at night.

As you study this week, take some time and review those OIAs and see what you learn!

STT: Managing Multiple Studies

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:43:31 +0000

Sometimes the issue isn't a lack of Bible study. Sometimes it's too much. Often, we end up in several different groups, chasing several topics. It doesn't take long before ideas and discussion threads run together and we can't keep up with what we studied, when or with whom. For example, I'm reading the New Testament for myself, reading Psalms for a group I'm leading, and studying a book on sin with my Sunday morning group, and studying Revelation with my Wednesday night kids. How can we keep it all straight, and get something out of every study?

Break the rules.

Well, not exactly 'break' them. Don't allow an artificial "system" to rob your study time of the maximum benefits.

My daily Bible readings are designed to be done daily (That's why they're called…). It's just reading, and not studying, so I do stick with that one.
My Kay Arthur Psalms study is designed for daily study. First of all, my study group decided we'd rather take the study more slowly than the book says. We'd rather discuss more in depth, than stick to the "schedule". So rather than spread them out, doing a little snippet each day, I do a longer more focused study. I only study with Kay on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays (Tuesdays, too, if I need an extra day.)
For my Wednesday group, I spend that afternoon getting ready for them.
My Sunday morning group- I study that one on Saturday morning.

Getting focused time alone with God in His word is far more important than sticking to someone else's schedule or system. Consider how and when you study and learn best:

First thing in the morning? Before bed? Over lunch?
A little at a time, with lots of in-between time to think it over? An intense hour-long session?
Alone or in a group?
Right before the group meets? Right after the group meets?
Multiple studies or just one? (Drop out of a Bible study? Is that allowed??)
Verse-by-verse book studies or topical ones?

We are uniquely designed by God, and our most effective study methods reflect that.

STT: Praise the Lord

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:55:35 +0000

In previous tips, we've discussed how studying Scripture should serve to reveal God, and to deepen our relationship with Him. One way it does this is by giving us a constant stream of reasons to praise and worship Jehovah God.

So as you study, watch for reasons to praise God. Sometimes, this is a piece of cake. Many of the Psalms are structured just that way- "I will praise the Lord because …"

Other times, it's not so obvious. Yesterday, I read Psalm 110, which begins, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" Praise is never mentioned. However, in those few words, there are some awesome things worth praising God for.

His sovereignty- He has a plan that is progressing on His timetable.
His victory- He will defeat all the enemies.
His regent- Christ will reign over all.
His work- Christ is sitting at His right hand, a place of honor, because He completed the redemption work the Father entrusted to Him.

By making our study time a search for reasons to praise God, it becomes not just a time that benefits us, but an offering we can give back.

Praise is the Devil's Death-Knell (lynnmosher.blogspot.com)