Bible Study 101
Bible Study 101 teaches the basics of how to study the Bible, where to find study tools and how to use them.
Bible Study 101: Categories
Click the photo to read the articles in each category.
Theory
How Tos
Study Tools
Genre
Bible Study 101 Latest Articles
Hebrew Poetry: How to understand psalms and wisdom literature
The key to understanding Hebrew poetry and Wisdom Literature is knowing that the “rhyme” of ideas is more important than the sounds. This “rhyming” of ideas is called parallelism.
Bible Study 201
Bible Study 201: Teach the Bible. Take your Bible study to the next step. Learn to teach the bible with Wednesday in the Word.
Interpretation
After you’ve done your observation, word studies, outlining and answered the questions you generated, it’s time to start putting it all together. In this step, you want to collect, refine and organize all those details you observed into a coherent meaning.
Figurative Language
We use figurative language all the time: “I’ll have to face the music.” “I’m bored to tears.” “She has a green thumb.” “Don’t let the cat out of the bag.” “He died of embarrassment.” Biblical writers also used figurative language and vivid imagery. How are we to understand it?
How to Do an Analytical Outline
An analytical outline is a way of displaying a text of Scripture so that the flow of thought and the relationship between the grammatical parts become clear. It is my favorite study tool and one of the first things I do. Learn how to make one.
Classic Commentaries Online
Many of the classic commentaries are free online, but how do you know which one(s) to use? And where do you find them? Here’s a quick list and explanation
5W’s and H
You may have been taught to create a list of questions, using the “5Ws and H” (who, what, when, where, why, how). If you need some help learning how to use the “5Ws and H”, here are some questions to get you started.
How to use context
When learning how to study the Bible, you’ve probably heard the expression “context is king”, meaning context is the arbitrator that rules a particular interpretation valid or not. But how do you use context to decide between possible interpretations?
How to do a word study
Word studies are one of the basic tools of Bible study. With today’s tools, you don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to do a good word study. Here’s how.
Bible Study 101: Reading list
Interpretation
Basics of Bible Interpretation, by Bob Smith a classic! great for the beginner. Now available FREE online, though I believe you can still buy a paper copy.
Knowing Scripture (Affliate Link), by RC Sproul is designed to help people master the basic rules of biblical interpretation.
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, (Affliate Link) by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart – this is a must have resource; no Bible student should be without and it now comes as an e-book. Re-read the chapter for your particular type of passage when you start a new study.
How to Get the Most from God’s Word (Affliate Link) by John MacArthur; free on archive.org
Living by the Book (Affliate Link) by Howard G Hendricks & William Hendricks – also available as an ebook and a video series. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. The writing is clear and engaging and you will learn a lot.
Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks. Available free on archive.org.
The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study (Affliate Link) by Oletta Ward – a classic resource for small groups to work through together; teachers guide is also available.
The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward. Available free on archive.org.
The Language of God: A Commonsense Approach to Understanding and Applying the Bible (Affliate Link) by David Crabtree — (out of print; but still can be found). This is a GREAT book for understanding the principles, methodology and philosophy of Bible study. The authors apply what they teach to a very difficult passage (James 5). The book is worth it just to understand James 5.
Exegetical Fallacies (Affliate Link) by D.A. Carson — this will challenge you to move your study skills to the next level.
The Thinking Toolbox: 35 lessons that will build your reasoning skills (Affliate Link) by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn and/or The Fallacy Detective: 35 lessons on how to recognize bad reasoning (Affliate Link) by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn. (While not specifically about Bible study, these books — written by homeschooled brothers for homeschoolers — are really useful for improving your critical thinking skills.)
Discover the Bible for Yourself by Arthur, Kay; free on archive.org
These 3 have been recommended to me, but I have not read them.
Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods (Affliate Link) by Rick Warren
How to Study Your Bible (Affliate Link) by Kay Arthur
Women of the Word (Affliate Link) by Jen Wilkin
Genres
New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes (Affliate Link) by FF Bruce.
Back towards the Future: Hints for Interpreting Biblical Prophecy (Affliate Link)by Walter Kaiser
He Gave us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives (Affliate Link) by Richard L Pratt Jr. This is the best book I’ve found on understanding the Old Testament
The Art of Biblical Narrative, (Affliate Link) by Robert Alter (also a great book on understanding the OT)
A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible (Affliate Link) by Leland Ryken and Tremper Longman III
Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation (Affliate Link) by Tremper Longman III (out of print, but still can be found)
How to Read the Psalms (Affliate Link) by Tremper Longman III
How to Read Proverbs (Affliate Link) by Tremper Longman III
Overviews & Theology
Ray Stedman’s Adventuring through the Bible
RC Sproul’s Overivew of the Bible
John MacArthur’s Introductions to each book of the Bible
What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul — this book will help you begin to put all the pieces together
The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul — a must-read book, especially for new believers
Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology (DVD series) by RC Sproul
An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical and Thematic Approach (Affliate Link) by Bruce Waltke and Charles Yu — this book looks intimidating, but it’s worth it!
Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (Audio Lectures)
Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction (complete book online) or hardcopy book (Affliate Link)
*Affliate Link means I earn a few cents on your Amazon purchase. It does NOT cost you any extra.
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