After almost two years I am back!!!

Blogging is an interesting thing!  Sometimes motivation to actually blog can wane significantly.  Work, life and stuff can all take precedence!

But I am still trying to study God's Word the best I can and still trying to learn and apply it the best I can to grow closer in my relationship with God.  And trying to be the best servant I can.

And seeing that the blog still gets some visits I will resume posting my studies. 

I must state that I hold no pretense about my studies.  I am an amateur!  I am just sharing them to share them.  Mostly with the hopes that it will inspire someone to start Bible study for themselves.

There are some tweaks to take note of:

I have changed my choice of Bible study software to Olive Tree.

I get no kickbacks from them whatsoever!  I just have found the work flow to be incredible.  The cross-platform management and syncing is VERY well done.  Wordsearch has some serious problems with their mobile apps. 

It really doesn't matter what software.  People will fight for "their brand".  Just try a few demos and use the one that allows you concentrate on the actual study part of the studying.

Also a slight rearrangement of how I am approaching the studies.  Not much different, just a little.  See below:

PART I-READING, LABELING AND ASKING:

-Read the entire section in ESV, NASB, HCSB, REB, NIV and KJV translations

PART II-OBSERVATION

·        Write down brief cursory summaries and initial thoughts.

·        Think on each paragraph and write down any questions I would need or like to have answered for that paragraph or the section as a whole.

Find and draw out the following considerations:

-Important People

-Important places

-Historical context

-Textual context

-Things emphasized

-Things repeated

-Things related

-Things alike-Comparison (word pictures, metaphors and similes-like, as etc.)

-Things unalike-Contrast (certain metaphors, but, irony etc.

-Things that are true to life

-Cause and effect

Gather any and all relevant Scriptural cross references using Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and various Translation Cross-references

·        Then write down any thoughts, questions or conclusions from those Cross-references.

Draw out the following factual considerations using introductions and articles from Literary Study Bible, New Bible Dictionary, Erdman’s Bible Dictionary, ZOTC, and Thompson Introductions

-Author and intended audience

-Important People

-Important places

-Historical context

-Textual context

-Literary considerations

-Any other grammatical considerations(verb tense etc.)

PART III-GATHERING:

Topics:

·        Gather cross-references for topics Using Thompson’s Chain Bible System, and Nave’s

Terms:

·        Find relevant cross-references for important terms

·        Find, gather and write down definitions (literal and expository) on  important terms using:

o   Strong’s and NASB dictionary

o   Mounce’s Expository Dictionary

o   Hendricksons’ Expository Dictionary

o   New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words

·        Write down conclusions

Find, gather and write down any information on the above mentioned factual considerations using:

-ESV Atlas

-New Bible Dictionary

-Erdman’s Bible Dictionary

-Any literary thoughts from the ESV Literary Study Bible

PART IV-ANSWERING AND SUMMARIZING:

Revisit the following considerations:

-Things emphasized

-Things repeated

-Things related

-Things alike-Comparison (word pictures, metaphors and similes-like, as etc.)

-Things unalike-Contrast (certain metaphors, but, irony etc.

-Things that are true to life

-Cause and effect

PART V-BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES:

Answer the following questions to discern the main Biblical Principles stated in this paragraph.

-Given the original context, what does the text mean?

-What fundamental Universal truths are presented in this passage?

-State that truth in a simple sentence or two.

-What issues in our own culture and my own situation does this truth address?

-What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me?  What changes does it require?  What values does it reinforce?  What difference does it make?

PART VI-APPLICATION and QUESTION ANSWERING:

-Using all the above data and good old fashioned prayer, answer my original questions the best that I am able!

Answer the following questions regarding the paragraph:

-Is there an example to follow?

-Is there a sin to avoid?

-Is there a promise to Claim?

-Is there a prayer to repeat?

-Is there a command to obey?

-Is there a condition to meet?

-Is there a verse to memorize?

-Is there an error to mark?

-Is there a challenge to face?

Summarize the answers and form into how YOU are being directed to apply this Scripture to your life!

PARTVII-COMPLETION:

-Reread the entire segment again in a few translations.  Are there any new questions??  Any new revelations or insights?  Record them and meditate on them.

-Consult the Zondervan Old and New Testament Commentary, Literary Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible and Matthew Henry Commentary to compare what I have found.  Make notes!

-Write a BRIEF summary on the entire section in a form that could be considered a lesson

Cross-referencing is still the main thing!  Study helps are great and checking words out (also includes cross-referencing) is VERY helpful!

I am currently studying  John 1:1-8     and the story of Noah and the flood ( Chapters 6, 7 and 9 in Genesis )

I will start posting those soon!