Path to Spiritual Maturity Meeting #9 Recap - Bible Study Methods

Opening Prayer

Welcome

Step 1: Overview

a. Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #5 Bible Study Methods in the Foundations Pathway, and doing an application.

b. This week’s assignment: read an article on #6 Baptism in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

c. Finish with time for questions/comments.

If we run out of time you can always e-mail us, or post in the discussion group. I will post those e-mail addresses and the group link at the end of our session.

Step 2: Review of #5 Bible Study Methods.

-Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #5 Bible Study Methods in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

So did you do your reading and application this week? (Yes/no) Did you find it helpful? What struck you the most from your reading this week? Was there anything that you were really challenged on that you prayed about or are doing something about?

For me, learning to study the Bible began with “encouragement” from my parents who had slotted a Bible time at the beginning of the school day. This really helped encourage regular reading of God’s Word. What really started to unfold its meaning in personal study though (particularly in the non-story passages) was an individual study of the book of James that my mother had my brothers and me do when we were teenagers. She had gotten the ideas from a Kay Arthur ladies precepts class she had gone to, and she wanted us to learn that method of studying the Bible (because it had been so helpful and exciting for her). It was very good in encouraging me to ask questions as I read, to try to see correlation between different parts, to note the context carefully, to see repeated elements, to fit it with the rest of Scripture, and to help pull out principles and application from the text. A further course in college on Biblical Introduction cemented this observation, interpretation, application method with a number of helpful and practical ways to chart out a passage of Scripture from my own study before going to commentaries or outside sources for help (as important as that step is). Being taught these kinds of methods of study really opened Scripture to my understanding and pushed me to begin the journey of personally studying God’s Word to be able to understand it, apply it, and share it.

If we want to know God we must take the time to understand what He has said/is saying in His inerrant word. What are you doing to truly understand what He has written to us? Are you spending time reading it, thinking about it, memorizing it, writing/charting about it? Are you taking time to intentionally learn how to study it? (Do I want to study and learn it?...go back to focusing on motivation if necessary.) Am I sharing what I learn with others? Doublechecking my study with the wisdom of others (afterwards!)?

Step 3: This week’s assignment: Begin #6 Baptism in the Foundations Pathway.

Read at least one article in the Baptism category on the Path to Spiritual Maturity (#6 Baptism under step 4) [or listen to an audio, or watch a video]. Then think about what you have read and do an application (some suggested ones are listed there). Next week we can discuss any questions that you might have had either about the article, or its application.

Other ideas:

*blog about your reading/application

*write down any questions you might have from the reading/experience

*write out any terms that you did not understand

*spend some time praying about and thanking God for His Word that He has given us to be able to know His truths.

Step 4: Questions, comments, and interaction.

…

Step 5: Closing Reminders:

*This week, focus on the Baptism Step. (Keep up your Bible reading time, and as needed, focus on your motivation.)

*Go to the group page to post comments, questions, or to find a posting of what we discussed during our time together. http://users.bible.org/groups/path_spiritual_maturity_discipleship

*E-mail us as needed

Closing Prayer

Pursue Christ in all you do, and may this Path to Spiritual Maturity be a tool to help you pursue Him. That is our prayer and desire. God bless!