KEY VERSE: Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. (Psalm 119:148)
INTRODUCTION The first method of Bible study which you will learn is called the devotional method. This lesson defines, explains, and presents an example of a devotional Bible study.
THE METHOD DEFINED The devotional method gets its name from the word "devotion" which means "dedication, consecration, worship, and sincere attachment to a cause or person." The devotional method of Bible study increases dedication and consecration to God. It leads to worship and a deeper personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
This method involves not only study of God's Word but also the application of its truths. It is against this method that Satan raises his greatest opposition. Satan is not concerned about study just to gain knowledge. He is vitally concerned when Bible study results in application which brings positive changes in your spiritual life. It is not enough to just be "hearers of the Word." A person who is a hearer of the Word is one who studies God's Word but never applies the Word to his life:
But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)
You will learn many methods of Bible study in this course but each method should result in application. Whether you do a book, chapter, verse, word, or any other study, you should always apply what you learn to your life and ministry.
THE METHOD EXPLAINED Use the form provided in the "For Further Study" section at the end of this lesson to do your devotional study. Here are the steps for doing the study:
STEP ONE: RECORD PASSAGE INFORMATION Record the name of the book in which the passage you are studying is found. Then record the chapter and verse numbers you have selected to study.
STEP TWO: IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT Read the portion of Scripture which you have selected to study. Select a title that summarizes the subject and record it on your chart.
STEP THREE: IDENTIFY THE KEY VERSE Which verse provides the best summary of the Scripture portion you are studying? Write the verse and reference on your chart.
STEP FOUR: SUMMARIZE In your own words, summarize what the portion of Scriptures teaches.
1. Outline the main points covered. 2. Use a chart to summarize the passage. 3. Make a brief summary statement. 4. Paraphrase the passage. Paraphrasing is when you take a verse and summarize it in your own words. Follow the text, but put it in the language of today.
STEP FIVE: MEDITATE It is important to read and study the Bible but you must also learn to meditate on God's Word. The word "meditate" means to think, dwell on, and ponder. After you select a Bible portion to study, identify its subject and key verse, and summarize its teachings, then meditate on the passage.
God told Joshua that meditating on His Word was the key to success: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
Read slowly through the passage. Read it aloud. Imagine the Lord speaking to you personally with this passage. Consider what it says to you personally by using some of the questions suggested under Step Six in this lesson.
One important way to meditate on the Word is to memorize it. When you memorize portions you are able to recall them at any time and think about them. The key verse you select is a good portion to memorize. Make some note cards as illustrated below. Write the verse on one side of the card. Write the reference where the verse is found on the other side of the card:
Side One:
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Side Two:
Psalm 119:11
Read the verse several times aloud and then try to repeat it without looking at the card. After you say the verse check your card to see if you have said it correctly. Look at the reference side of the card and try to say the verse. Look at the verse side of the card and try to remember the reference. Save your Scripture memory cards and continue to review and meditate on them.
STEP SIX: MAKE APPLICATION Now you are ready to apply what you have learned during meditation. Application is when you personally apply to your life and ministry the truths you have learned. Sometimes you cannot immediately apply everything you learn, but begin to apply all you can. God will help you apply the truth of His Word even if it means you must take one small step at a time in the process of application.
The following questions will help you apply God's Word to your life:
Example to follow:
Is there an example to follow in this portion of Scripture?
Error to avoid:
Is there an error or sin which should be avoided?
Duty to perform:
Does this portion of Scripture call for action. Are you told to do something? If so, what action are you to take?
Promise to claim:
Is there a promise in this passage which you can claim?
Relationship to develop:
What does this passage teach about your relationship with God through Jesus Christ? What does it teach about God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit? What does it teach about your relationship with others in your family, community, church congregation, and the world. What does it teach about your relationship with yourself?
Changes to make:
What changes should you make in your life in view of what you have learned in this Scripture portion? Be specific.
Prayer to pray:
Pray a personal prayer regarding this passage. Ask God to help you apply the truths you have learned. Prayer personalizes the principles taught in God's Word. You may even want to write out your prayer as in the example provided in this lesson.
EXAMPLE OF THE DEVOTIONAL METHOD
STEP ONE: RECORD PASSAGE INFORMATION
Book: Galatians Chapter: 5 Verses: 16-25
STEP TWO: IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT
Subject: Works of the Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit
STEP THREE: IDENTIFY THE KEY VERSE
Key Verse: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
STEP FOUR: SUMMARIZE
l. The following is an example of an outline summary:
WORKS OF THE FLESH AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
I. The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. Those who live in the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Fleshly works include: A. Adultery B. Fornication C. Uncleanness D. Lasciviousness E. Idolatry F. Witchcraft G. Hatred H. Variance I. Emulations J. Wrath K. Strife L. Seditions M. Heresies N. Envyings O. Murders P. Drunkenness Q. Revellings
II. The fruit of the Holy Spirit which God desires to give us contrasts the works of the flesh: A. Love B. Joy C. Peace D. Longsuffering E. Gentleness F. Goodness G. Faith H. Meekness I. Temperance
III. We are to: A. Walk in the spirit (verse 16,25) B. Be led of the spirit (verse 18) C. Live in the spirit (verse 25)
2. The following is an example of a summarizing chart:
Works of the Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:16-25
Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance
3. Here is an example of a summary statement:
This passage presents two contrasts: The lusts of the flesh and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we belong to Jesus, we are to crucify the lusts of the flesh and live, walk, and be led by the Holy Spirit. The works of the flesh are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
4. Here is an example of a paraphrase of Galatians 5:24-25:
"Those who belong to Christ have destroyed the desires, loves, and lusts of the flesh. If we claim that the Holy Spirit lives in us, then we should act like it!"
STEP FIVE: MEDITATE
Verses to memorize and meditate on: Verses 16-18 and 25-26. Also memorize the list of spiritual fruit which God wants to develop in my life. Meditate and study on the meaning of each fruit of the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be gentle, good, meek, temperate, etc?
STEP SIX: MAKE APPLICATION
Example to follow: Developing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Error to avoid: Works of the flesh.
Duty to perform: Walk in the Spirit (verses 16,25) Be led of the Spirit (verse 18) Live in the Spirit (verse 25)
Promise to claim:"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Verse 16.
Relationships to develop: My relationships with others should demonstrate love, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness. I need to develop joy, peace, goodness, faith, and temperance in every area of my life. I learned that God wants my relationship to Him to be based on holiness in conduct. If I truly belong to Christ it will affect my relationship to others, myself, and God.
Changes to make: The three areas I need most to change:
Temperance: Control my appetite. Develop self control and discipline. Faith: Be more believing of God's promises. Love: Show love to those around me who are unlovable.
Prayer to pray:
Dear Heavenly Father:Help me walk in your Spirit, be led of your Spirit, and live each moment in your Spirit. Cleanse my life from the works of the flesh. Help me to crucify worldly desires. Develop the beautiful fruit of the Holy Spirit in me. In Jesus name, amen.
For Further Study
Study Philippians 4:4-9 using the devotional method of Bible study. Use this form to do this and other devotional Bible studies.