This is a simple method of Bible Study. I’ve included it on this site for those who want some basic introduction to the Bible Study process.

 1. Observe

What does the text say?
This is the primary task, observing the text!

Take note of grammatical clues such as
repetition, comparisons, contrasts.
Note the action words (verbs); connecting words (conjunctions such as ‘therefore’ or ‘so’) and words that indicate time like ‘after …’ or ‘when…’
Ask the classic ‘W’ questions about what’s in the passage: Who is there? Where is the action taking place? What is happening? When? Are there words that indicate time or previous events?

2. Interpret

What does it mean?

Ask what is the significance and meaning of the facts observed.

This the time to explore with dictionaries, encyclopedias and maps, finding out who the people named are; what the terms mean; the significance and location of places named etc.

3. Apply

What does it mean to me?
Note that the application emerges from what you’ve observed the text to say, and discovered of its significance. It is important not to ‘leapfrog’ over the first two steps because only in the work of observation and exploration (interpreting the meaning of the text to those for who it was written) does the application for us emerge.

Meditate / contemplate the key theme, or key point.

Look for something:
– new to understand
– to thank God for
– to be sorry for
– to ask for

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