KEY VERSES: Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right: and I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:127-128)
INTRODUCTION This lesson introduces the topical method of Bible study. The method is defined and explained and an example of a topical study is provided. At the end of the lesson we provide an opportunity to apply what you have learned by actually doing a topical Bible study.
THE METHOD DEFINED The topical method focuses on a selected Biblical subject. The goal of the study is to discover all the Bible teaches on the subject.
THE METHOD EXPLAINED Here are the steps for doing a topical Bible study:
STEP ONE: SELECT A TOPIC: You may choose a general subject, for example, all of the miracles in the Bible. You may select a more specific subject such as the miracles performed by Jesus or the miracles recorded in a certain book of the Bible. For your first study it is best to limit the topic to a specific subject in one book rather than study a subject in the entire Bible. You may select a topic which pertains to a need in your own life. You might select a topic about which you have been asked and could not answer or a topic which you do not fully understand.
You may want to study topics you can use in counseling others in time of need. For example, you may want to study the topic of death so you will know how to comfort others. Or you may want to study fear so you can help those who are fearful.
STEP TWO: SELECT THE PORTION OF SCRIPTURE: After choosing a topic, select the portion of Scripture in which you will study this topic. You can study a topic in one book of the Bible, several books, or the entire Bible.
STEP THREE: GATHER THE INFORMATION: Find all the verses which relate to the topic in the portion of Scripture you select to study. A concordance is helpful but not necessary. For example, if you are studying the miracles of Jesus, read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Record each reference to a miracle performed by Jesus.
STEP FOUR: SUMMARIZE THE INFORMATION: After you gather all the information on a topic you will probably have a long list of Scriptures. You must now organize these verses to make the subject easily understood. Study the verses you collected. Identify main points made by the verses. What other verses make this same point? Arrange these verses together, then create a chart or outline to summarize your studies.
Remember: You not only want to learn all the Bible teaches about a specific topic, but you also want to apply what you learn to your own life and ministry.
EXAMPLE OF THE METHOD
STEP ONE: SELECT A TOPIC: Miracles
STEP TWO: SELECT THE PORTION OF SCRIPTURE: Miracles in the book of Luke will be studied.
STEP THREE: GATHER THE INFORMATION: Miracles in Luke: 1:11, 3:21, 4:30, 5:1, 7:11, 9:28, 10:17, 4:33, 13:11, 14:1, 17:11, 22:50
STEP FOUR: SUMMARIZE THE INFORMATION: Example of an outline summary:
Miracles In The Book Of Luke I. Thirty one miracles are recorded in the book of Luke.
II. People who performed them: A. The Lord Jesus Christ: 4:28-30; 4:31-37; 4:38-39; 4:40-41; 5:1-11; 5:12-15; 5:17-26; 6:6-11; 6:17-20; 7:1-10; 7:11-15; 7:21; 8:2-3; 8:22-25; 8:26-39; 8:41-42, 49, 56; 8:43-48; 9:11-17; 9:37-43; 11:14-23; 13:10-17; 14:1-6; 17:11-19; 18:35-43; 22:50-51; 24:1-7; 24:50-51. B. Others: 1. Angel Gabriel: 1:11-23, 57,59 2. Holy Ghost: 3:21-22 3. God: 9:28-37 4. Disciples: 10:17
III. Classification of miracles: A. Raising the dead: 7:11-15; 8:41-42, 49, 56; 24:1-7 B. Casting out demons: 4:33-37; 8:2-3; 8:26-39; 9:14-23; 9:37-43 C. Healing: 4:38-39; 4:40-41; 5:12-16; 5:17-26; 6:6-10;6:17-20; 7:1-10; 8:43- 48; 13:11-17; 14:1-6; 17:11-19;18:35-43; 22:50-51. D. Over the forces of nature: 5:1-11; 8:22-25; 9:11-17
Example Of A Chart Summary: A chart summary can also be done on each miracle in the book of Luke. The chart could include the following headings:
Miracle: What the miracle was, reference.
Realm: Was it a miracle over nature, healing, raising of the dead, casting out demons, etc?
Occasion: On what occasion was the miracle performed?
People: What people were involved?
Method: What method was used? Was it the spoken word, a touch, a prayer, etc.?
Results: What were the results of the miracle?
Reactions: What were the reactions of the people who witnessed or were part of the miracle?
An example of the analysis of one miracle is shown on the following chart. Such a study could be done on each miracle in the book of Luke.
Miracles in the Book of Luke
Miracle Realm Occasion People Means Results Reactions
Healing Physical At home of Peter. Rebuke Fever left She arose, Peter’s and his and ministered Mother-in-law Mother-in-law to others
The previous chart is designed specifically to study miracles and cannot be used for other topics, but it serves as an example of how you can create your own charts to summarize topical Bible studies. Here are some examples of just a few of the life and ministry applications which can be made from this study. Can you think of others?
-Are miracles to be part of the ministry of believers? (See Matthew 16:17- 18; John 14:12). -What can you learn from the way Jesus dealt with sickness, death, and demons to apply in your own ministry? -What can you learn about the relation of faith and miracles to apply in your ministry? -What are the results that should follow true miracles of God? How could these results help you distinguish true miracles from deceiving signs of false ministers?
FOR FURTHER STUDY Continue studying the topic of miracles. Study all the miracles in the book of Matthew. Create an outline of your study similar to the example given in this lesson. Use the sample chart given in this lesson to analyze each miracle in the book of Matthew. You might also want to complete the study of miracles in the book of Luke which was started in this chapter. Use the chart to analyze each miracle. The New Testament records other miracles in the books of Mark, John, and Acts. You may want to continue to study the topic of miracles in these books.
You may also want to study miracles in the Old Testament. If you do, the following list will help you locate the Old Testament miracles: Genesis: 1; 19:26 Exodus: 17 Numbers: 6 Joshua: 3 Judges: 3 I and II Samuel: 3 I and II Kings: 26 Daniel: 2 Joel: l (Joel 1:17) Jonah: l