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STT: The Meditation Method

When Joshua was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land, God gave him this instruction: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8). Meditation was God’s prescribed method for internalizing Scripture.

Biblical meditation is quite different from Eastern meditation, which often involves emptying the mind. Instead, biblical meditation means filling your mind with God’s Word through thoughtful, prayerful reflection.

1. Slow Down and Savor

Meditation requires unhurried time:

Choose a short passage (even a single verse)
Read it multiple times slowly
Emphasize different words each time
Pause between readings to let the words sink in

Try reading Psalm 23:1 five times, each time emphasizing a different word: “THE Lord is my shepherd,” “The LORD is my shepherd,” and so on. Notice how the meaning shifts with each emphasis.

2. Personalize the Text

Make Scripture your own conversation with God:

Replace pronouns with your name
Rewrite passages as prayers
Turn statements into questions for self-examination

For example, transform Colossians 3:12 from “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts…” to “Lord, help me, [your name], as your chosen and beloved child, to put on a compassionate heart today…”

3. Visualize the Scene

Use your imagination to enter the biblical narrative:

Picture the setting, people, and actions described
Imagine yourself as one of the characters
Consider what you might see, hear, feel, or smell

When reading about Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), imagine the spray of water, the howling wind, the disciples’ panic, and the sudden, astonishing calm.

4. Connect to Your Life

Move from reflection to application:

Ask: “Where do I see this truth in my own experience?”
Consider: “What would change if I truly believed this?”
Pray: “Lord, show me how to live this out today”

For your next study session: Choose Psalm 1:1-3, which itself describes meditation on God’s Word. Spend 15 minutes with just these verses. Read them slowly, visualize the imagery of the tree planted by streams, personalize the promises, and consider what it means to be “like a tree planted by streams of water” in your daily life.

What verse might you select for extended meditation this week?

STT: The Application Method

By Paula Wiseman

STT Application Method title graphic with a lit bulb and the cord plugged into the wall outlet

After Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount, He concluded with a powerful illustration: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). The ultimate purpose of Bible study isn’t knowledge accumulation—it’s life transformation.

Application bridges the gap between the text and modern life. It moves us from understanding what the Bible means to experiencing how it changes us.

1. Identify Timeless Principles

Behind every specific command or historical situation lies a timeless truth:

Look for the underlying principle that transcends culture and time
Ask: “What does this passage reveal about God’s character or priorities?”
Consider how this principle appears in other parts of Scripture

For example, when Paul instructs women to cover their heads in worship (1 Corinthians 11), the timeless principle involves showing appropriate respect in worship according to cultural norms, not necessarily wearing specific headwear in all times and places.

2. Make It Personal

Move from general principles to specific application:

Replace general nouns with your name
Turn third-person statements into first-person commitments
Ask: “What would this look like in my life tomorrow?”

When reading Philippians 2:14 (“Do all things without grumbling or disputing”), personalize it: “Today, I will complete my work tasks without complaining, even when I face frustration.”

3. Be Specific and Measurable

Vague applications rarely lead to change:

Instead of “I’ll trust God more,” try “When I feel anxious about my job interview, I’ll pray Philippians 4:6-7”
Instead of “I’ll be more loving,” try “I’ll call my difficult neighbor this week and invite them for coffee”
Create concrete action steps with timeframes

4. Address All Dimensions

Scripture speaks to every aspect of our lives:

Beliefs: What truth should I embrace?
Actions: What behavior should I change?
Attitudes: What feeling or perspective should I adjust?
Relationships: How should I treat others differently?
Words: What should I say or not say?

For your next study session: Choose James 1:19-27 and identify at least one specific application in each dimension above. For example, under “Actions,” you might write: “I will set a timer for 5 minutes before responding to difficult emails to ensure I’m ‘slow to speak and slow to anger.'”

What passage might you practice applying to your life this week using these principles?

STT: The Interpretation Method

By Paula Wiseman

STT Interpretation Method title graphic with a magnifying glass, graphs and calculator to interpret data

Study Tip: The Interpretation Method

After Jesus performed miracles, His disciples often asked, “What does this mean?” (Mark 4:10). Even after careful observation, we need tools to properly understand what Scripture is teaching. Interpretation bridges the gap between what we see in the text and what it means.

1. Context Is King

The most important rule of interpretation is to honor the context:

Historical context (time period, culture, customs)
Literary context (genre, author’s style, purpose of writing)
Biblical context (where it fits in the overall biblical narrative)

For example, when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:14 that “if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,” understanding the cultural context of Corinth helps us see this was addressing a specific cultural situation rather than establishing a universal rule for all men in all times.

2. Scripture Interprets Scripture

When facing difficult passages:

Look for clearer passages on the same topic
Let explicit statements guide your understanding of figurative language
Remember that Scripture never contradicts itself

For instance, Jesus’ statement that “if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out” (Matthew 5:29) should be interpreted in light of His other teachings about the heart being the source of sin. He’s using hyperbole to emphasize the seriousness of sin, not advocating self-mutilation.

3. Identify the Main Point

Every passage has a central message:

Look for repeated words or themes
Pay attention to summary statements
Consider what the original audience would have understood

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, while there are many details to observe, the main point is God’s extravagant love and forgiveness toward repentant sinners.

4. Distinguish Between Description and Prescription

Not everything described in the Bible is prescribed for us to follow:

Descriptions tell what happened
Prescriptions tell what should happen

For example, David’s multiple wives are described in Scripture, but this doesn’t mean polygamy is prescribed as God’s design for marriage.

For your next study session: Choose a passage like Romans 12:1-2. After observing what it says, interpret what it means by asking: What did this mean to the original audience? What principle is being taught? How does this connect to other Scripture? What is the main point Paul is making?

What passage might you practice interpreting using these principles?

STT: The Observation Method

By Paula Wiseman

STT Observation Method title graphic featuring a magnifying glass

Study Tip: The Observation Method

When Jesus walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, He didn’t immediately reveal Himself. Instead, “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). He taught them to see what was already there.

Before we can interpret Scripture, we must first see what’s actually in the text. Many Bible study mistakes happen because we jump to conclusions before carefully observing what the passage actually says. The Observation Method helps us slow down and notice details we might otherwise miss.

1. Read Without Assumptions

First, approach the text with fresh eyes:

Read the passage several times slowly
Pretend you’ve never seen it before
Notice words, phrases, and details that stand out
Resist the urge to immediately interpret or apply

For example, in the familiar story of David and Goliath, have you noticed that David picked up five stones (1 Samuel 17:40), not just one? This detail might lead to interesting questions about David’s confidence or preparation.

2. Mark Key Elements

Use a simple marking system to highlight:

Repeated words or phrases (they often signal important themes)
Contrasts and comparisons (“but,” “like,” “as”)
Commands and promises
Time references and sequence markers
Lists or series of items

In Psalm 23, marking every reference to “He” (the Lord) and “I/me” (the psalmist) reveals a beautiful pattern of God’s actions and the writer’s response.

3. Ask Factual Questions

Based on your observations, ask questions that can be answered directly from the text:

Who is speaking/acting?
What specific actions are described?
What words are unusual or significant?
What connections exist between sentences?

4. Record Your Observations

Before moving to interpretation, write down everything you’ve noticed without adding meaning. This creates a solid foundation for the next steps of study.

For your next study session: Choose a familiar passage like the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and spend 15 minutes just observing. Count how many blessings are promised. Notice the pattern of “Blessed are… for they shall…” Write down every detail you see without interpreting. You might be surprised at what you’ve previously overlooked!

What familiar passage might you re-examine using this careful observation method?

STT: The Comparison Method

By Paula Wiseman

Study Tip: The Comparison Method

When Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, He often said, “It is like…” before offering a comparison to something familiar. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Matthew 13:31) or “like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour…” (Matthew 13:33).

Comparison is a powerful tool for understanding Scripture, and it works on multiple levels:

1. Compare Different Translations

Each translation represents choices made by scholars to capture the original meaning. When you encounter a challenging verse:

Read it in 2-3 different translations
Note the differences in wording
Ask yourself why translators might have chosen different words

For example, Romans 12:2 in the ESV says “be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” while the NIV says “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This subtle difference between “renewal” (a one-time event) and “renewing” (an ongoing process) reveals something about the nature of spiritual transformation.

2. Compare Parallel Passages

Many biblical events appear in multiple books:

The Gospels often tell the same story from different perspectives
Chronicles retells much of Samuel and Kings
Paul addresses similar themes across his letters

When studying the feeding of the 5,000 (the only miracle appearing in all four Gospels), comparing Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6 reveals details each writer thought important. Matthew mentions women and children, John focuses on the boy with loaves and fish, and only Mark notes that the grass was green.

3. Compare Similar Themes

Track how concepts develop throughout Scripture:

How does “rest” evolve from the Sabbath to Jesus’ invitation to “find rest for your souls”?
How does “covenant” change from Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Jesus?
How do images of “shepherd” build from David to Jesus’ “Good Shepherd”?

For your next study session: Choose a familiar parable like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Compare it with the two parables that precede it (the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin). What similarities do you notice? What unique elements does each contain? How does reading them together enhance your understanding of God’s heart for the lost?

What biblical theme or story might you explore using this comparison method?

STT: Building Your Personal Bible Study Toolkit

By Paula Wiseman

STT: Building Personal Bible Study Toolkit title graphic with hand tools

Study Tip: Building Your Personal Bible Study Toolkit

When Jesus taught His disciples, He didn’t just give them answers—He equipped them with questions and methods to discover truth for themselves. “Search the Scriptures,” He said, “for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

Effective Bible study isn’t about having someone else explain everything to you—it’s about developing skills to discover God’s truth for yourself. Here are some foundational techniques to include in your personal study toolkit. Today we’ll do an overview, then in the coming weeks, we’ll do a deeper dive into some different ways and approaches to incorporate into your Bible study.

1. The Question Method

Begin by asking basic questions of any passage:

Who wrote this and to whom?
What is the main point being made?
When and where did this take place?
Why was this written?
How does this apply to my life?

These simple questions open doors to deeper understanding without requiring advanced training.

2. The Word Study Approach

Choose a significant word in a passage and explore it:

Look up its original meaning (using a concordance or Bible dictionary)
Find other places it appears in Scripture
Notice how the meaning develops across different contexts

For example, tracing the word “love” through 1 Corinthians 13 reveals layers of meaning beyond our English understanding.

3. The Context Connection

Never read verses in isolation. Always:

Read the paragraphs before and after your passage
Consider the chapter’s overall message
Understand the book’s purpose and audience
Connect to the broader biblical narrative

Remember that Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things…”) makes more sense when you see Paul was talking about contentment in various circumstances, not superhuman abilities.

4. The Personal Application

After understanding what the text meant to its original audience, ask:

What principle is illustrated here?
How does this reveal God’s character?
What might God be saying to me through this passage?
What specific action should I take in response?

For your first study session: Choose a shorter book like Philippians or James. Read it completely through in one sitting. Then go back and apply these four methods to one chapter. Notice how your understanding deepens with each approach.

What passage might you start with to practice these techniques?