Bible Study engages the mind to apply its truth to ones life.

Jesus' apprentice method.

If you are unfamiliar with scripture and don't know where to begin, choose one of the Gospels (Mark or Luke) and study to discover all you can about Jesus. 

Asks yourself the following question: What seems important to Jesus? What sort of questions does he ask people? What sort of questions do people ask him? What it Jesus inviting me to be and do.

The Detective Method. 

Read a short narrative passage from one of the Gospels. 

let the story take shape in your mind's Eye. 

• Imagine the Scene. 
• Observe all the Facts. 
• Ask the who, when, where, what questions. 

Once you have the facts, interpret the facts. 

• Ask the why and wherefore questions. 
• What meaning did the actions have for the characters? 
• What meaning do the actions have for you? 

Then apply your study to your own life. 

• Ask  how will this change my life? 

What do you take away form the story? 

The Treasure-seeker Method. 

When reading Scripture consider the following application questions:

• Is there an example here for me to follow? 
• Is there a Promise to Claim or a Command to Obey? 
• Is there a Prayer for me to Pray? 
• Is there Sin to be Confessed? 

Is There a Question God is asking me?

Practice Includes. 

• Attending to Biblical Instruction (oral or written) with an open mind and heart in order to grow in love and understanding of the truth. 
• Listening deeply God's personal word to you.
• Reading not to master the text but be mastered by it. 
• Staying with one text util the Lord prompts movement to another. 
• Reading for Depth, not breadth. 
• Contemplative and Formational reading of scripture or other devotional texts. 

God Given Fruit 

• Keeping company with Jesus whether or not he speaks to you. 
• Seeking and Listening for a personal word from God. 
• Responding to God's Word with your heart and spirit, not just your rational, cognitive and intellectual prowess. 
• Softening of your heart so that the head-heart schism is mended and you live more and more out of love. 
• Having Scripture guide your dialogue with God. 
• A growing receptivity and submission to God's Word. 

"Our desire to know more, read more, and study more can be another expression of our culture and its acquisitive nature.

Knowing God, not just knowing more is the Goal."