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How to Study your Bible
 - by David Odumesi.

Step 1 Observation - Discover what it says

Begin and continue with an attitude of prayer (Ps119:18). Identify and understand the context of the passage by reading before and after the selected passage. Pay attention to what is obvious e.g. people, places & events. Discover the 5 W’s & H - Who wrote it ? Who said it ? Who is being addressed ? Who are the major characters ? Who are the people mentioned ? What are the main events ? What are the major ideas ? What are the major teachings ? When was it written ? When did this event take place ? When will it happen ? Where did the event occur ? Why was there a need for this to be written ? Why was this passage included ? Why was so much or little space devoted to this ? How is it done ? How did it happen ? Asking these questions and you’ll be mazed at what you learn. Such questions offer a safeguard to misinterpreting and distorting the Scriptures. The style of the book will affect it’s meaning. Is it historical (Genesis), biographical (Luke), Poetical (Psalms), proverbial (Proverbs), a letter (2 Timothy, Colossians? Or is it a combination? Look for key words, note repeated, related, emphasised, contrasted, or similar words. Find a central verse in the chapter. This will help you understand the key idea of the author and overall theme of the Book.

Step 2 Interpretation - Discover what it means

After your observations note what the author is saying. Do not contradict the context of the book, chapter or passage you are studying Make sure you interpret the author’s meaning not your own. Use a Bible tool such as a Bible Dictionary to aid your understanding

Step 3 Application – Discover How it works

This step must only be reached after steps one and two. After your observation and interpretation ask yourself: What does the passage teach? What truths am I to embrace? How does the meaning of this passage apply to me? What changes should I make in my belief or life? Prayerfully consider what God has taught you from His Word (Neh. 9:3)


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