Lesson Twelve
How to Study the Bible (Continued)

How to Study a Book of the Bible:
•	Read the book through to find:
•	1. The main theme of the book. 
•	Try to express in a sentence or two the main message contained in the book.
•	The key verses of the book.
•	Write these out in long hand.
•	2. Learn what you can about the writer:
•	What is given about the writer’s personality and biography in the book itself? 
•	Find out all you can about the writer in reference books.
•	3. Where is the book written? 
•	If possible this should be determined by reading the book itself.
•	4. When was the book written?
•	 Locate the time of the writing within the life span of the writer.
•	5. To whom was the book written? 
•	Give chapter and verse if the information is given in the book.
•	6. What problem in the lives of the readers made the book necessary?
•	7. List by chapter and verse terms that are repeated. 
•	Also words, phrases or clauses that unique and unusual.
•	8. Define all the words and phrases that need appear difficult. 
•	Be certain that you understand the meaning of every expression.
•	9. What does the book teach about Jesus Christ? 
•	Make a complete outline of what the book teaches about Jesus. 
•	10. Study any major divisions in the structure of the book. 
•	Lest these divisions carefully and clearly.

How to Study a Chapter of the Bible:
•	There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. 
•	Many of them, like Psalm 23 and I Corinthians 13 have been favorites for generations.
•	Some chapter divisions were unfortunate, but on the whole chapters make suitable units of study.
•	1. What is the theme of the chapter? 
•	Read the chapter through at one time and write a phrase that would sum up the main thought of the chapter.
•	2. What is the key verse in the chapter? 
•	Write out this verse in long hand.
•	3. What people are mentioned in the chapter? 
•	Make a list of the people with information given about each one.
•	4. What are the commands that we should obey?
•	5. What are the promises that we should claim?
•	6. What are the lessons that we should remember?
•	7. List the words and phrases that have a special appeal to you.
•	8. List all the difficult words and phrases and check the meaning of each one in a concordance or Bible dictionary.
•	9. List all the words and phrases that are repeated in the chapter.
•	10. What does this chapter teach us about Christ? 
•	Make a complete outline of what this chapter teaches about Jesus.

How to Study a Bible Doctrine:
•	The chief aim of all Bible studies is to understand the doctrines of the Bible and be able to apply them to our lives. 
•	For the young student it might be wise to begin by studying the doctrine a given in one book and then expand the study from there.
•	1. Collect all references to the doctrine.
•	 Trace all these Scriptures by the use of a concordance or topical Bible. 
•	It is recommended that all the Scriptures be written with references in long hand.
•	2. Compare all references to the doctrine.
•	 Trace all these Scriptures by the use of concordance or topical Bible. 
•	It is recommended that all the Scriptures be written with references in long hand.
•	3. Relate the references to their immediate context and the total pattern of Biblical truth.
•	Study each reference in the light of its context.
•	4. Define the doctrine.
•	5. Apply the doctrine to personal experience. 
•	How may it be applied to our lives?
•	6. Write a paragraph giving a summary of the doctrine.

How to Study a Bible Biography:
•	The study of Bible personalities is very fascinating. 
•	Great spiritual lessons may be learned from the experiences of Bible characters. 
•	In the Bible there are 2,930 separate individuals mentioned.
•	In studying a Bible character, be careful not to confuse different people with the same name.
•	There are thirty with the name of Zachariah, twenty with the name of Nathan, fifteen with the name of Jonathon, eight with the name of Judas, seven with the name of Mary, five with the name of James and five with the name of John.
•	1. What is the meaning of the individual’s name? 
•	Check the name in a reference Bible or Bible dictionary. 
•	The name often tells you much about the individual.
•	2. What is the ancestral background?
•	3. What religious and secular crises occurred in his lifetime?
•	4. What advantages did he have in training and development?
•	5. What traits of character were manifested? 
•	Write a brief character sketch of this person.
•	6. What friends did this man have? 
•	What influence did they have on him?
•	7. What failures and faults occurred in this life?
•	8. What important contributions did this individual make?
•	9. What lessons can be found in this life that are of special value to you?

How to Study a Bible Miracle:
•	A miracle is a divine contravention of the normal course of things. 
•	Miracles not only display God’s power in some unusual way, but they bring out some important truths also.
•	There are sixty-two miracles recorded in the Old Testament. 
•	The New Testament records thirty eight primary miracles of Christ, forty secondary miracles of Christ and fifteen miracles by the Apostles.
•	1. Make an outline of the miracle.
•	2. Note the term designating the miracle. 
•	Does it imply wonder, power or purpose?
•	3. What does the miracle reveal about the nature of God?
•	4. What does the miracle reveal about the work of God?
•	5. What command or prayer brought about the miracle?

How to Study a Bible Parable:
•	A parable may or may not be a true story to teach a spiritual lesson. 
•	Do not try to establish doctrine on a parable. 
•	Instead, use the parable as an illustration of a doctrine already establish on other doctrinal passages.
•	1. What occasion provoked the telling of the parable?
•	2. Note the details, customs and practices that are brought out in the parable. 
•	Study the man of living referred to.
•	3. To whom was the parable told?
•	4. What one main lesson does it teach?
•	5. Does the context help in the interpretation of this parable?
•	6. What other Bible Passages teach this truth?
•	7. How can you apply this truth to your own experience this very week?
•	8. Using present day situations write a parable to convey the same truth.

Lesson Twelve
Study Guide

1. Outline clearly how you would study a Bible biography.

2. Outline clearly how you would study a Bible Doctrine.