EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL BIBLICAL INSTITUTE

RVDO. CELESTINO RODRÍGUEZ QUERO

Chair: BIBLICAL METHODOLOGY
Oneddy Chirinos
January-April 2021.

Study guide

Devotional method
Generally, the word devotion or devotional is used to refer to a moment that is
it is used for praying and/or reading the Bible. However, devotion relates to love for God and His Word.

How would you define devotion?

This method is called devotional because, more than a technique, it is a way of approaching God and
that he comes close to us through his Word. It is to genuinely and wholeheartedly seek the
the will of God to set it in motion. In this method, it is sought that the Bible reads us, indicates to us what
is good or bad in us and helps us improve our paths. However, we must be
careful not to apply the Scripture before a scrupulous study.

The devotional method consists of three steps:

1. Paraphrase. Read the passage several times and write it by paraphrasing it in such a way that it is...
expressed in a language understandable to you. In other words, a version is created
own.
• It's not about changing every word for a more sophisticated or beautiful one, but about giving it
meaning to the text, according to the language that is currently used and to our context.
• One should never study a passage in isolation. This step should be taken after
having studied the text in its literary and historical context, using the methods
of study.

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 2. Personal problems. When reading the Scripture, the Holy Spirit enlightens us and shows us what
it is wrong in us, or what goes against what God wants for our lives.
• It is necessary for us to be very specific. That we talk openly about what the
Word has discovered in us. Writing helps us see what we did not see before.
• This method is very personal, so the problem must be personal. We must not
generalize, but talk about ourselves.

3. Solution or personal decisions. The Word of God must produce action in our
lives. After Scripture has given us light on what is wrong, we must decide to take action.
the will of God.
• The goal of this method is to make us take action, changing what is wrong in
we by the behavior modeled by the Word of God.
• Concrete, measurable actions that we can take must be mentioned.
tracking and recording our progress.

Example:

Passage: Matthew 13:18-23.

Listen, then, you the parable of the sower: When someone hears the word of the kingdom and does not...
He understands, the evil one comes and takes away what was sown in his heart. This is the one that was sown.
along the path. And the one sown on rocky grounds, this is the one who hears the word, and immediately it
receives with joy; but has no root in itself, but is of short duration, for when tribulation or the
persecution because of the word, then stumbles. The one who was sown among thorns, this is the
but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it
makes it unfruitful. But the one sown on good soil, this is the one who hears and understands the word,
and bears fruit; and produces a hundred, sixty, and thirtyfold.

Paraphrase:

This is what the parable of the sower means: When someone hears the Word and does not understand it, the
What is heard is easily forgotten, as the enemy takes care to snatch it away; this is the seed.
cast aside at the roadside. The one who hears the word and receives it with joy, but then falls away
minimum problem or effort needed to live that word, and go back, it is the seed sown
among stones, for it does not have the necessary depth to take root and endure. Others hear the
Word, they receive it, but they give more importance to the vanity of life; they always have an excuse.
to not dedicate oneself to the Lord and not bear fruit, these represent the seed sown among thorns. But

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 the one who hears the Word, understands it, and puts it into practice represents the seed sown in good soil
earth, for it yields fruit abundantly and sows the Word in others.

Personal problems:

From the studied passage, some truths emerge: 1. The Word of God is declared with a
purpose. 2. There are various ways to receive it. 3. It is declared to cause an effect: that the
The person gives fruit.

I confront the fact that the Word is sown in me and at times I have behaved
like a thorny ground, responsibly receiving the message of God, but allowing the
many occupations, although mostly they are in the work of the Lord, keep me away from His primary purpose:
bear fruit, that is, to become more like Christ every day and to fulfill His will in my life.

In the eagerness to do more, I have worried less about being. Being what God wants me to be, than the
Holy Spirit and the Scripture shape me into the image of Jesus and multiply me in others.

Personal decisions:

• Spend more time on my relationship with God, balancing this time with others.
Occupations. For this, I will create a schedule and evaluate its compliance daily.
• Keep a record of Bible study, noting what Scripture reveals in my conduct that
I must change and continuously review my behavior.

Activity:

Taking into account the description and the given example, apply the devotional method to the passage of
Philippians 2:12-16. Your method must include:

1. Paraphrase

2. Personal problems

3. Personal decisions

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 At the end of the method, comment:

How was your experience using this Bible study tool?

2. How can this method help you in your regular study of Scripture and development of
your ministry?

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