Scripture Exploration Guide
The Revelation of God’s Story This Scriptural Exploration Guide is for you to use personally or as apart of family worship. The purpose of the guide is to give you an overview of God’s Word. Through these passages you will survey the major themes of scripture over the course of a few months. If you want to go at a slower or faster pace than the suggested timeline, that is fine. What is important is that we get a firm foundation of the total revelation of Scripture. The guide is a beginning point. It is not all-inclusive, there are many important passages that are not covered that all of us should read and study. It follows a basic chronological approach but also includes several key New Testament passages within the storyline of the Old Testament. You will notice that the very first passage is from the Gospel of John. This passage displays the person of creation, Jesus Christ. It is important to begin with Him, and then to follow the act of creation. Genesis 1 declares, “In the Beginning God…” That is our point of reference. He is the fountainhead from which creation flows. John chapter 1 shows us the God revealing Himself through His Creation and most directly in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:1-5 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. He is God. He is eternal. Jesus Christ is not only our Savior He is our Creator, “All things were made through him.” He is the one who spoke the world into existence. God’s has chosen to reveal Himself to us through creation, through His Word (the Bible) and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. As you read each of the passages in the scripture remember that God’s Word is His selfrevelation. He is speaking to us through His Word, through the historical events and relational encounters included in His Word to show us Himself. God wants you to not just know about His Word but to know Him through His Son and our Savior Jesus personally. May you discover the incredible joy of abiding in Jesus and having His Word abide in you.
Scripture Guide - The Revelation of God’s Story Theme/Week In The Beginning ____ 1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 Noah and Abraham ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8 ____ 9 ____ 10
Topic
Scripture
Jesus the Creator Creation Wonders of God's Creation The Fall The Flood
John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20 Genesis 1:1- 2:25 Psalm 8, Psalm 139:1-18 Genesis 3:1-24 Genesis 6:5-7:24
God's Covenant with Noah Tower of Babel The Call of Abraham God's Covenant with Abraham Isaac's Birth and Sacrifice
Genesis 8:1-9:17 Genesis 11:1-9 Genesis 12:1-20 Genesis 15:1-21 Genesis 21:-22:19
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ____ 11 Men of Great Faith ____ 12 Jacob and Esau Compete ____ 13 Jacob and Esau Reconcile ____ 14 Dealing with Conflict ____ 15 Resting in God
Hebrews 10:25-11:21, 12:1-2 Genesis 27:1-28:22 Genesis 32:1-33:20 Proverbs 15:1-7, James 4:1-11 Psalm 4, Psalm 42
Joseph ____ 16 ____ 17 ____ 18 ____ 19 ____ 20
Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 39:1-41:57 Genesis 42:1-38 Genesis 43:1-44:34 Genesis 45:1-46:7
Sold into Slavery Prison and Promotion Ten Brothers go to Egypt The Brothers Return Joseph Reveals His Identity
Moses and the Exodus ____ 21 Birth of Moses ____ 22 The Burning Bush ____ 23 God Promises Deliverance ____ 24 The First 2 Plagues ____ 25 Plagues 3 through 6
Exodus 1:1-2:25 Exodus 3:1-4:17 Exodus 6:1-13, Hebrews 3:1-6 Exodus 7:14-8:15 Exodus 8:16 - 9:12
The Exodus Part 2 ____ 26 ____ 27 ____ 28 ____ 29 ____ 30
Plagues 7 & 8 Darkness & Death of the First Born The Passover Jesus Our Passover Jesus Our Passover
Exodus 9:13-10:20 Exodus 10:21-11:10 Exodus 12:1-50 Luke 22:14-23, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 19:14-37
Into the Wilderness ____ 31 ____ 32 ____ 33 ____ 34 ____ 35
Crossing the Red Sea Manna in the Wilderness Jesus the Bread of Life Water from the Rock Jesus the Living Water
Exodus 14:1-31 Exodus 16:1-21, 31-35 John 6:31-63 Exodus 17:1-7, Isaiah 55:1-8 John 7:37-39, Revelation 22:12-17
God Gives Us His Commandments ____ 36 Receiving the Word of God ____ 37 The Ten Commandments ____ 38 The Golden Calf Rebellion ____ 39 The Covenant Renewed ____ 40 The Great Commandment
Exodus 19:1-25, Hebrews 1:1-4 Exodus 20:1-21 Exodus 32:1-35 Exodus 34:1-28, Hebrews 8:1-13 Deuteronomy 6:1-19, John 13:31-35
Entering the Promised Land ____ 41 Joshua Succeeds Moses ____ 42 Rahab and the Spies ____ 43 Crossing the Jordan River ____ 44 The Fall of Jericho ____ 45 Choose this Day Who you will Serve
Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 2:1-24 Joshua 3:1-17 Joshua 6:1-20 Joshua 24:14-32
The Judges ____ 46 ____ 47 ____ 48 ____ 49 ____ 50
Israel's Disobedience Deborah Leads Israel Gideon's Fleece Gideon's Victory Samson Set Apart For God
Judges 2:6-3:6 Judges 4:1-24 Judges 6:1-40 Judges 7:1-25 Judges 13:1-25
The Judges Part 2 ____ 51 ____ 52 ____ 53 ____ 54 ____ 55
Samson's Strength Samson's Weakness Hannah's Prayer Samuel's Call The Ark of God is Captured
Judges 15:1-20 Judges 16:1-31 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10 1 Samuel 3:1-22 1 Samuel 4:1-22
The First King of Israel ____ 56 Israel Demands a King ____ 57 Saul Chosen as King ____ 58 Goliath Taunts Israel ____ 59 David & Goliath ____ 60 David & Saul
1 Samuel 8:1-22 1 Samuel 9:1-17, 10:17-27 1 Samuel 17:1-30 1 Samuel 17: 31-58 1 Samuel 24:1-22
King David ____ 61 ____ 62 ____ 63 ____ 64 ____ 65
2 Samuel 5:1-25 2 Samuel 6:1-19 2 Samuel 7:1-17 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 Psalm 51
King David Return of the Ark The Davidic Covenant David & Bathsheba David's Confession
The Kingdom of Israel ____ 66 Solomon Anointed King ____ 67 King Solomon's Wisdom ____ 68 Solomon's Temple ____ 69 The Rise of Elijah ____ 70 Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
1 Kings 2:1-46 1 Kings 3:1-28 1 Kings 8:1-61 1 Kings 16:29-17:24 1 Kings 18:1-46
Psalms ____ 71 ____ 72 ____ 73 ____ 74 ____ 75
Contrasting the Wicked and Godly God Revealed Psalms of Comfort Psalms of Praise Words of Wise Instruction
Psalm 1, Psalm 73 Psalm 8, Psalm 19 Psalm 23, Psalm 46 Psalm 96, Psalm 103 Proverbs 3:1-35
The Prophets ____ 76 ____ 77 ____ 78 ____ 79 ____ 80
The Suffering Messiah Jeremiah's Call and Prophecy Daniel in the Lion's Den God's Call to the Nations Preparing for the Day of the Lord
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Zechariah 12:10 Jeremiah 1:1-10, 29:10-14, 31:31-34 Daniel 6:1-26 Joel 2:28- 3:14, Zephaniah 3:10-20 Malachi 2:17-4:6
The Birth of Jesus ____ 81 ____ 82 ____ 83 ____ 84 ____ 85
Isaiah's Prophecy The Angel Visits Mary The Angel Visits Joseph The Birth of Jesus The Visit of the Magi
Isaiah 7:10-16, 9:1-7 Luke 1:26-35 Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 2:1-21 Matthew 2:1-12
Preparing the Way of the Lord ____ 86 John the Baptist's Ministry ____ 87 John the Baptist's Testimony ____ 88 The Temptation of Jesus ____ 89 Sermon on the Mount Part 1 ____ 90 Sermon on the Mount Part 2
Luke 3:1-22 John 1:19-34, Luke 7:18-35 Matthew 3:13-4:17 Matthew 5:1-6:4 Matthew 6:5-7:29
The Miracles of Jesus ____ 91 Feeding the Five Thousand ____ 92 The Faith of the Centurion ____ 93 Calming of the Storm ____ 94 Healing a Blind Man ____ 95 Raising Lazarus from the Dead
Mark 6:30-52 Matthew 8:1-17 Luke 8:22-55 John 9:1-1 John 11:1-57
The Teachings of Jesus ____ 96 You Must Be Born Again ____ 97 The Model Prayer ____ 98 The Great Commandment ____ 99 Abide in Me ____ 100 The Final Judgment
John 3:1-36 Matthew 6:1-34 Luke 10:25-41 John 15:1-27 Matthew 24:1-25:46
The Parables of Jesus ____ 101 The Parable of the Soils ____ 102 Two Debtors ____ 103 Lost and Found ____ 104 The Rich Man and Lazarus ____ 105 The Wedding Banquet
Matthew 13:1-30 Luke 7:36-50 Luke 15:1-32 Luke 16:14-31 Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus Last Week ____106 ____107 ____108 ____109 ____110
The Last Supper Jesus Arrest and Trials John Records the Crucifixion Matthew Records the Crucifixion The Resurrection
Luke 22:1-46 John 18:1-40 John 19:1-42 Matthew 27:1-66 John 20:1-21:25
The Birth of The Church ____111 The Ascension ____112 Pentecost ____113 The Church Grows ____114 The First Martyr ____115 The Conversion of Saul/Paul
Luke 24:36-53, Acts 1:1-11 Acts 2:1-47 Acts 3:1-4:4 Acts 7:1-8:3 Acts 9:1-31
To the Ends of the Earth ____ 116 Salvation to the Nations ____ 117 On Mission to the Nations ____ 118 The Gospel Spreads ____ 119 Paul's Journey to Rome Part 1 ____ 120 Paul's Journey to Rome Part 2
Acts 10:1-11:18 Acts 13:1-14:28 Acts 17:1-19:10 Acts 25:1-26:32 Acts 27:1-28:31
Paul's Letters to the Churches ____ 121 The Preeminence of Christ Jesus ____ 122 Peace with God through Faith ____ 123 New Life in Christ Jesus ____ 124 Life in the Spirit ____ 125 The Message of Salvation
Colossians 1:1-23, Philippians 2:1-11 Romans 5:1-6:14 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Colossians 3:1-25 Romans 8:1-39 Romans 10:1-21
Paul's Letters to The Churches Part 2 ____ 126 Freedom in Christ ____ 127 The Armor of God ____ 128 All Scripture is God-Breathed ____ 129 The Resurrection ____ 130 The Return of Jesus Christ
Galatians 5:1-26 Ephesians 6:10-24 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
The Apostles Teaching ____ 131 ____ 132 ____ 133 ____ 134 ____ 135
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 1 John 3:1-4:21 1 Peter 1:1-2:26 James 1:1-2:26 Hebrews 1:1-2:18
True Love Love One Another A Living Hope Faith And Works The Supremacy of Jesus Christ
The Revelation of Jesus Christ ____ 136 A Vision of the Glorified Jesus ____ 137 Jesus Letters to the Churches ____ 138 Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain ____ 139 Rejoicing in Heaven ____ 140 The New Jerusalem
Revelation 1:1-20 Revelation 2:1-3:22 Revelation 4:1-5:14 Revelation 19:1-20:15 Revelation 21:1-22:21
GUIDE FOR PERSONAL INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY PREPARATION (Lord, open my eyes!) • First, pray for understanding. We can only understand Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit. •
If possible, try to read the entire section at one sitting without interruption. As you read, look for: identity of the writer, possible reasons for writing, major themes, flow of thought, etc.
•
Reread the passage or a specific verse that stood out, as you are able throughout the day.
•
As you focus more on the specific passage: - Think about how the passage you are studying might relate to the major themes & purpose/s of the book (which you just tried to identify). - Read the passages before and after the text you are studying in order to identify its context. - You may find it helpful to print out the passage in a format that has space around the passage and between lines for notes, highlighting, circling, questions, etc. Or use a Bible app that allows for highlighting and notes.
OBSERVATION (What does it say?) Question examples
Ask some general questions as you study the text (these do not apply equally well to every passage):
Who?
Who wrote this, who are main characters, who is acting, speaking, listening, present, absent? What is written, what happens, what is said or done, what is the response?
What? Where? When? Why? How? Other things to look for: Word patterns Connecting words
Where geographically (e.g., Israel, Galilee) or locally (e.g., in a house) is the setting of the text? Are there any indicators of place? Motion? What time of day, when in relation to other events or part of the story, when in the history of Israel or in Jesus’ earthly ministry (e.g., before/after the “Great Confession”)? What events/actions consequences are mentioned, what is the relationship between words, events, actions, reactions, etc.? Does the text say how is something accomplished? How does it fit in larger biblical narratives?
Are words repeated? Do you see comparisons? Are there obvious figures of speech? • • • • •
“and, or, nor, likewise, also” usually indicate some kind of continuation. “but, nevertheless, however” express contrast. “better/worse/more than, as/so, like” usually imply some kind of comparison “then, when, before, after” connect events in time “because, therefore, thus, for, so, so that, in order that” usually indicate cause & effect or consequences, etc.
INTERPRETATION (What does it mean?) • Keep in mind what you learned as you read the entire book. • Interpret Scripture with Scripture. • Interpret obscure & difficult statements in light of clear statements. • The most natural (“face value”) interpretation is usually the best, but remember that figures of speech, allegories, and other literary devices are found in Scripture. • You do not have to understand everything about a passage to have enough application to keep you busy. QUESTIONS FOR OBEDIENCE (What do I need to do in response?) •
Loving God: Is there something here about the nature, character, or activity of God, Christ, or the Spirit, or my relationship with him, for me (or our group) to learn and/or believe?
•
Living Truth: - Is there an attitude or action to imitate? to avoid? - Is there a command to obey? A challenge to heed? - Is there a principle to apply to my life in some way—to my thoughts, desires, decisions, habits, relationships, time, possessions, etc.? - Is there a promise given? How will you choose to trust it? - How do all these things relate to the core truth of the gospel?
•
Giving grace: How can I pass on what I have learned to someone else? Whom do I know that might need what I have learned? How could I bless someone’s life by living out what I have learned.
PRAY INTENTIONALLY P.R.A.Y. (based on the Lord’s prayer) Praise God for who He is, remember what He has done and rest in what He is doing right now. (Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name.) Return to the Lord. This is more than just confessing moral failures in our life. This looks for anything that is not powered by faith and asks God the redirect your life to Him and His purposes. (Your Kingdom come, your will be done. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.) Ask in faith. Jesus is interceding for us continually. Pray based upon that reality. He is our provider. He is our protector. Pray based upon scriptures that you have meditated on. (give us this day our daily bread, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Yield to His Authority. Choose to wait on God’s timing and purpose. - (Your Kingdom come, Your will be done).
Scripture Guide - The Revelation of God’s Story Theme/Week In The Beginning ____ 1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 Noah and Abraham ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8 ____ 9 ____ 10
Topic
Scripture
Jesus the Creator Creation Wonders of God's Creation The Fall The Flood
John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20 Genesis 1:1- 2:25 Psalm 8, Psalm 139:1-18 Genesis 3:1-24 Genesis 6:5-7:24
God's Covenant with Noah Tower of Babel The Call of Abraham God's Covenant with Abraham Isaac's Birth and Sacrifice
Genesis 8:1-9:17 Genesis 11:1-9 Genesis 12:1-20 Genesis 15:1-21 Genesis 21:-22:19
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ____ 11 Men of Great Faith ____ 12 Jacob and Esau Compete ____ 13 Jacob and Esau Reconcile ____ 14 Dealing with Conflict ____ 15 Resting in God
Hebrews 10:25-11:21, 12:1-2 Genesis 27:1-28:22 Genesis 32:1-33:20 Proverbs 15:1-7, James 4:1-11 Psalm 4, Psalm 42
Joseph ____ 16 ____ 17 ____ 18 ____ 19 ____ 20
Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 39:1-41:57 Genesis 42:1-38 Genesis 43:1-44:34 Genesis 45:1-46:7
Sold into Slavery Prison and Promotion Ten Brothers go to Egypt The Brothers Return Joseph Reveals His Identity
Moses and the Exodus ____ 21 Birth of Moses ____ 22 The Burning Bush ____ 23 God Promises Deliverance ____ 24 The First 2 Plagues ____ 25 Plagues 3 through 6
Exodus 1:1-2:25 Exodus 3:1-4:17 Exodus 6:1-13, Hebrews 3:1-6 Exodus 7:14-8:15 Exodus 8:16 - 9:12
The Exodus Part 2 ____ 26 ____ 27 ____ 28 ____ 29 ____ 30
Plagues 7 & 8 Darkness & Death of the First Born The Passover Jesus Our Passover Jesus Our Passover
Exodus 9:13-10:20 Exodus 10:21-11:10 Exodus 12:1-50 Luke 22:14-23, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 19:14-37
Into the Wilderness ____ 31 ____ 32 ____ 33 ____ 34 ____ 35
Crossing the Red Sea Manna in the Wilderness Jesus the Bread of Life Water from the Rock Jesus the Living Water
Exodus 14:1-31 Exodus 16:1-21, 31-35 John 6:31-63 Exodus 17:1-7, Isaiah 55:1-8 John 7:37-39, Revelation 22:12-17
God Gives Us His Commandments ____ 36 Receiving the Word of God ____ 37 The Ten Commandments ____ 38 The Golden Calf Rebellion ____ 39 The Covenant Renewed ____ 40 The Great Commandment
Exodus 19:1-25, Hebrews 1:1-4 Exodus 20:1-21 Exodus 32:1-35 Exodus 34:1-28, Hebrews 8:1-13 Deuteronomy 6:1-19, John 13:31-35
Entering the Promised Land ____ 41 Joshua Succeeds Moses ____ 42 Rahab and the Spies ____ 43 Crossing the Jordan River ____ 44 The Fall of Jericho ____ 45 Choose this Day Who you will Serve
Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 2:1-24 Joshua 3:1-17 Joshua 6:1-20 Joshua 24:14-32
The Judges ____ 46 ____ 47 ____ 48 ____ 49 ____ 50
Israel's Disobedience Deborah Leads Israel Gideon's Fleece Gideon's Victory Samson Set Apart For God
Judges 2:6-3:6 Judges 4:1-24 Judges 6:1-40 Judges 7:1-25 Judges 13:1-25
The Judges Part 2 ____ 51 ____ 52 ____ 53 ____ 54 ____ 55
Samson's Strength Samson's Weakness Hannah's Prayer Samuel's Call The Ark of God is Captured
Judges 15:1-20 Judges 16:1-31 1 Samuel 1:1-2:10 1 Samuel 3:1-22 1 Samuel 4:1-22
The First King of Israel ____ 56 Israel Demands a King ____ 57 Saul Chosen as King ____ 58 Goliath Taunts Israel ____ 59 David & Goliath ____ 60 David & Saul
1 Samuel 8:1-22 1 Samuel 9:1-17, 10:17-27 1 Samuel 17:1-30 1 Samuel 17: 31-58 1 Samuel 24:1-22
King David ____ 61 ____ 62 ____ 63 ____ 64 ____ 65
2 Samuel 5:1-25 2 Samuel 6:1-19 2 Samuel 7:1-17 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 Psalm 51
King David Return of the Ark The Davidic Covenant David & Bathsheba David's Confession
The Kingdom of Israel ____ 66 Solomon Anointed King ____ 67 King Solomon's Wisdom ____ 68 Solomon's Temple ____ 69 The Rise of Elijah ____ 70 Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
1 Kings 2:1-46 1 Kings 3:1-28 1 Kings 8:1-61 1 Kings 16:29-17:24 1 Kings 18:1-46
Psalms ____ 71 ____ 72 ____ 73 ____ 74 ____ 75
Contrasting the Wicked and Godly God Revealed Psalms of Comfort Psalms of Praise Words of Wise Instruction
Psalm 1, Psalm 73 Psalm 8, Psalm 19 Psalm 23, Psalm 46 Psalm 96, Psalm 103 Proverbs 3:1-35
The Prophets ____ 76 ____ 77 ____ 78 ____ 79 ____ 80
The Suffering Messiah Jeremiah's Call and Prophecy Daniel in the Lion's Den God's Call to the Nations Preparing for the Day of the Lord
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Zechariah 12:10 Jeremiah 1:1-10, 29:10-14, 31:31-34 Daniel 6:1-26 Joel 2:28- 3:14, Zephaniah 3:10-20 Malachi 2:17-4:6
The Birth of Jesus ____ 81 ____ 82 ____ 83 ____ 84 ____ 85
Isaiah's Prophecy The Angel Visits Mary The Angel Visits Joseph The Birth of Jesus The Visit of the Magi
Isaiah 7:10-16, 9:1-7 Luke 1:26-35 Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 2:1-21 Matthew 2:1-12
Preparing the Way of the Lord ____ 86 John the Baptist's Ministry ____ 87 John the Baptist's Testimony ____ 88 The Temptation of Jesus ____ 89 Sermon on the Mount Part 1 ____ 90 Sermon on the Mount Part 2
Luke 3:1-22 John 1:19-34, Luke 7:18-35 Matthew 3:13-4:17 Matthew 5:1-6:4 Matthew 6:5-7:29
The Miracles of Jesus ____ 91 Feeding the Five Thousand ____ 92 The Faith of the Centurion ____ 93 Calming of the Storm ____ 94 Healing a Blind Man ____ 95 Raising Lazarus from the Dead
Mark 6:30-52 Matthew 8:1-17 Luke 8:22-55 John 9:1-1 John 11:1-57
The Teachings of Jesus ____ 96 You Must Be Born Again ____ 97 The Model Prayer ____ 98 The Great Commandment ____ 99 Abide in Me ____ 100 The Final Judgment
John 3:1-36 Matthew 6:1-34 Luke 10:25-41 John 15:1-27 Matthew 24:1-25:46
The Parables of Jesus ____ 101 The Parable of the Soils ____ 102 Two Debtors ____ 103 Lost and Found ____ 104 The Rich Man and Lazarus ____ 105 The Wedding Banquet
Matthew 13:1-30 Luke 7:36-50 Luke 15:1-32 Luke 16:14-31 Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus Last Week ____106 ____107 ____108 ____109 ____110
The Last Supper Jesus Arrest and Trials John Records the Crucifixion Matthew Records the Crucifixion The Resurrection
Luke 22:1-46 John 18:1-40 John 19:1-42 Matthew 27:1-66 John 20:1-21:25
The Birth of The Church ____111 The Ascension ____112 Pentecost ____113 The Church Grows ____114 The First Martyr ____115 The Conversion of Saul/Paul
Luke 24:36-53, Acts 1:1-11 Acts 2:1-47 Acts 3:1-4:4 Acts 7:1-8:3 Acts 9:1-31
To the Ends of the Earth ____ 116 Salvation to the Nations ____ 117 On Mission to the Nations ____ 118 The Gospel Spreads ____ 119 Paul's Journey to Rome Part 1 ____ 120 Paul's Journey to Rome Part 2
Acts 10:1-11:18 Acts 13:1-14:28 Acts 17:1-19:10 Acts 25:1-26:32 Acts 27:1-28:31
Paul's Letters to the Churches ____ 121 The Preeminence of Christ Jesus ____ 122 Peace with God through Faith ____ 123 New Life in Christ Jesus ____ 124 Life in the Spirit ____ 125 The Message of Salvation
Colossians 1:1-23, Philippians 2:1-11 Romans 5:1-6:14 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Colossians 3:1-25 Romans 8:1-39 Romans 10:1-21
Paul's Letters to The Churches Part 2 ____ 126 Freedom in Christ ____ 127 The Armor of God ____ 128 All Scripture is God-Breathed ____ 129 The Resurrection ____ 130 The Return of Jesus Christ
Galatians 5:1-26 Ephesians 6:10-24 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
The Apostles Teaching ____ 131 ____ 132 ____ 133 ____ 134 ____ 135
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 1 John 3:1-4:21 1 Peter 1:1-2:26 James 1:1-2:26 Hebrews 1:1-2:18
True Love Love One Another A Living Hope Faith And Works The Supremacy of Jesus Christ
The Revelation of Jesus Christ ____ 136 A Vision of the Glorified Jesus ____ 137 Jesus Letters to the Churches ____ 138 Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain ____ 139 Rejoicing in Heaven ____ 140 The New Jerusalem
Revelation 1:1-20 Revelation 2:1-3:22 Revelation 4:1-5:14 Revelation 19:1-20:15 Revelation 21:1-22:21
GUIDE FOR PERSONAL INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY PREPARATION (Lord, open my eyes!) • First, pray for understanding. We can only understand Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit. •
If possible, try to read the entire section at one sitting without interruption. As you read, look for: identity of the writer, possible reasons for writing, major themes, flow of thought, etc.
•
Reread the passage or a specific verse that stood out, as you are able throughout the day.
•
As you focus more on the specific passage: - Think about how the passage you are studying might relate to the major themes & purpose/s of the book (which you just tried to identify). - Read the passages before and after the text you are studying in order to identify its context. - You may find it helpful to print out the passage in a format that has space around the passage and between lines for notes, highlighting, circling, questions, etc. Or use a Bible app that allows for highlighting and notes.
OBSERVATION (What does it say?) Question examples
Ask some general questions as you study the text (these do not apply equally well to every passage):
Who?
Who wrote this, who are main characters, who is acting, speaking, listening, present, absent? What is written, what happens, what is said or done, what is the response?
What? Where? When? Why? How? Other things to look for: Word patterns Connecting words
Where geographically (e.g., Israel, Galilee) or locally (e.g., in a house) is the setting of the text? Are there any indicators of place? Motion? What time of day, when in relation to other events or part of the story, when in the history of Israel or in Jesus’ earthly ministry (e.g., before/after the “Great Confession”)? What events/actions consequences are mentioned, what is the relationship between words, events, actions, reactions, etc.? Does the text say how is something accomplished? How does it fit in larger biblical narratives?
Are words repeated? Do you see comparisons? Are there obvious figures of speech? • • • • •
“and, or, nor, likewise, also” usually indicate some kind of continuation. “but, nevertheless, however” express contrast. “better/worse/more than, as/so, like” usually imply some kind of comparison “then, when, before, after” connect events in time “because, therefore, thus, for, so, so that, in order that” usually indicate cause & effect or consequences, etc.
INTERPRETATION (What does it mean?) • Keep in mind what you learned as you read the entire book. • Interpret Scripture with Scripture. • Interpret obscure & difficult statements in light of clear statements. • The most natural (“face value”) interpretation is usually the best, but remember that figures of speech, allegories, and other literary devices are found in Scripture. • You do not have to understand everything about a passage to have enough application to keep you busy. QUESTIONS FOR OBEDIENCE (What do I need to do in response?) •
Loving God: Is there something here about the nature, character, or activity of God, Christ, or the Spirit, or my relationship with him, for me (or our group) to learn and/or believe?
•
Living Truth: - Is there an attitude or action to imitate? to avoid? - Is there a command to obey? A challenge to heed? - Is there a principle to apply to my life in some way—to my thoughts, desires, decisions, habits, relationships, time, possessions, etc.? - Is there a promise given? How will you choose to trust it? - How do all these things relate to the core truth of the gospel?
•
Giving grace: How can I pass on what I have learned to someone else? Whom do I know that might need what I have learned? How could I bless someone’s life by living out what I have learned.
PRAY INTENTIONALLY P.R.A.Y. (based on the Lord’s prayer) Praise God for who He is, remember what He has done and rest in what He is doing right now. (Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name.) Return to the Lord. This is more than just confessing moral failures in our life. This looks for anything that is not powered by faith and asks God the redirect your life to Him and His purposes. (Your Kingdom come, your will be done. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.) Ask in faith. Jesus is interceding for us continually. Pray based upon that reality. He is our provider. He is our protector. Pray based upon scriptures that you have meditated on. (give us this day our daily bread, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Yield to His Authority. Choose to wait on God’s timing and purpose. - (Your Kingdom come, Your will be done).
