The 5 “P”s of Bible Study
PERIOD OF TIME Pick a time of day when you are alert and can establish a predictably regular time of sufficient length – suggested minimum of 15 minutes.
PLACE
Select a place that is conducive to quiet uninterrupted study.
PLAN
1. Select a Good Bible & Bible study helps:
- Several translations – such as the New International Version (NIV)
- Paraphrases like the Living Bible
- Bible dictionary
- Concordance
- Bible software program
2. Use a Daily Devotional Guide There are many excellent books available that select a passage of Scripture for each day and provide an explanation with practical application and a prayer.
3. Read the Bible by books, a few verses, a chapter at a time or gobs (entire book in one sitting).
4. Read it by Need – Look up topics of interest in a concordance and read the various verses that apply.
5. Read it in its Entirety – Commit to a Bible reading plan that guides you through the complete Bible in a year.
PROCEDURE
1. Pray - for God’s Guidance before beginning and then read with expectancy that He will speak to you.
2. Probe – Carefully read the passage until you begin to understand it.
- Consider reading it in more than one translation.
- Ask key questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How, Who wrote it? To whom was it written?Identify the main ideas and key verses.
- Paraphrase it in your own words.
- Look-up the meaning of key words and phrases in a Bible dictionary
- Look-up the cross-references that apply – the Bible is its own best interpreter.
3. Pen or pencil in Hand - record what you are learning.
- Plan on writing in your Bible
- Underline key passages
- Make personal notes in the margins
- Use a Journal or Notebook
4. Personalize – ask God to help you make some practical application of what you have read to your own personal life and circumstances.
- Promises for me to believe…
- Commands for me to keep…
- Errors for me to avoid…
- Facts for me to stand on…
- Examples for me to follow…
PRIORITY
Make a commitment to consistency – such as “No Bible, No Breakfast!”