Swindoll Study Bible and Searching the Scriptures - Flipbook - Page 6
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
find what the Bible says about whatever topic or subject you’re studying. Some people
like to use websites or Bible software programs that allow you to search the Bible in
almost any translation. While those are extremely useful tools in their own right, I have
found that they are not good substitutes for a paper concordance tied to the translation you are using. Seeing everything arranged on the page can even help you notice
other related words you might not have thought to search for in a software program.
Additionally, a necessary resource for studying the Bible is a Bible dictionary. A good
Bible dictionary will give you basic knowledge of the literary and cultural backgrounds
of the Bible through numerous articles written by fine scholars. Finally, you will need
a good set of maps in order to have a handle on what the world looked like during the
various periods of history the Bible covers. With these things, your basic tool set will
be complete.
The Basics of Studying the Bible
My method of studying the Bible has four main steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Observation
Interpretation
Correlation
Application
I suggest that you memorize these steps. The more you practice them as you read
and study, the more they will become second nature for you. You want learning and
engaging with the Bible to become as natural as breathing in and out so that God’s
Word becomes part of you and changes you. The Bible wasn’t given simply to satisfy
idle curiosity. The Bible wasn’t written so ministers would have something to say on
Sundays. The Bible has been preserved to transform the lives of people like you and
me. So let’s dive in and start studying.
Observation
To observe means to look at Scripture carefully and with attention to detail.
Carefully observing the text is always the first step of studying the Scriptures. Initially,
pay attention to the terms. Slow down, read carefully, and note significant words or
phrases. Don’t think about how much time this takes—focus on one word at a time
and read the passage as if for the first time. Give your full attention to each word.
As important as word study is, you must always keep in mind that you understand a
verse of Scripture better when you grasp its context—when you acquaint yourself with
the surrounding verses. Every verse sits within a larger context. Let me remind you of
an important rule of Bible interpretation: Never isolate a verse from its context. Seizing
isolated verses without having a bigger view of how they fit in with the rest of the passage
or book leads to error. As you take notice of how a book is conveying its author’s ideas,
take in the flow of the sentences and the logic of the passage.
After spending time observing, write down in your own words a summary of all
you have observed from the passage. As I observe more and more details, I pause
1672