LEADERSHIP

Certification Program
Level 1

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Women’s Ministries Department

[Link]
How to Study
the Bible
Written by
Alice Rich

Leadership Certification Program - Level 1

 All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for
every good work.
2 Tim. 3:16-17
 A. Quiet Time
How Important is it to God?

• Jesus died to make it possible!

• God has called you into fellowship
• Jesus is eager to spend time with you
• God created us to be in a relationship
with Him
 B. Quiet Time
How Important is it to You?

• It’s your source of strength.

• You can’t be healthy without it!
• It’s the way to be effective!
C. Why Have a Daily Quiet Time?
• To show devotion to God
• To get direction
• To delight yourself in God
• To be transformed
D. How to Begin a Daily Quiet Time

1. Select a specific time

(when you’re most refreshed!)
D. How to Begin a Daily Quiet Time
2. How Long should a quiet time be
3. Choose a special place
4. Gather your resources
5. Begin with the right attitudes
6. A Plan to Get your started
• Relax
• Read
• Reflect
• Record
• Request
• Plan to be
successful!
 How To Hear God’s Word
1. Be ready and eager!
2. Pray and rely on the Holy
Spirit
3. Be aware
“But the Holy Spirit can strengthen
our spiritual eyesight, enabling us to
see what our natural eyes cannot see,
or our ears hear, or our mind
comprehend.”
Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God,
p. 34.
A. What are things that may prevent my
hearing the Word of God?

• A Closed Mind
• A Superficial Mind
• A Preoccupied Mind
B. How Do I Deal with Problems that May
Prevent me Hearing God? ?

1. Confess and Repent

2. Object Lesson
3. Begin being obedient
 B. How Do I Deal with Problems that May
Prevent me Hearing God? ?
4. Take notes on what you hear.
5. Act on what you hear.
“We must pay more careful attention to what
we’ve heard, so that we do not drift away!”
Hebrews 2:1
 How to Read God’s Word
1. How often should I read God’s word?
Daily
“The scriptures] shall be his constant companion.
He must read from it every day of his life so that
he will learn to respect the Lord His God by
obeying all of His commands.” Deuteronomy.17:19
 How to Read God’s Word
2. Suggestions for successful reading:
• Have a plan
• Bible without notes
• Read it in different
translations/paraphrases.
• Paraphrase
• Translation
• Read it aloud, quietly to yourself!
Benefits of Bible Study

1. Stronger, healthier mind

2. Able to live a pure life
3. Guidance in our lives
4. Bring us into the will of God
Will God’s Word Make a Difference?
1. YES! “Deep,
earnest study of the
word under the
guidance of the Holy
Spirit will give you
fresh manna, and the
same Spirit will make
its use effectual.”
Testimonies, vol.6, p. 163
 Will God’s Word Make a Difference?

2. What does it take for this to work for me?

a. Accept, Store Up,

and the Holy Spirit
b. Application
 How to Study God’s Word

1. Study for yourself!

2. Use pen and paper.
3. Ask questions.
4. Always Check the
context.
5. Guidelines for study by verse or chapter
• What is the theme of the chapter?
• Which verse stands out the most (to me) in the
chapter?
• What persons are mentioned?
• What are the commands we should keep?
• What are the promises we should claim?
• What are the lessons we should remember?
• Which words and phrases did you like best?
• Which words kept recurring throughout the chapter?
• Which words were not clear as to their
meaning?
• What logical reason can you detect for the
inclusion of this chapter in the Bible?
• Is there an example for me to follow?
• What are the errors of living that we
should avoid?
• What does this chapter teach about God?
• What does this passage tell me about my
relationship to God?
 6. How do I begin
a daily Bible Study program?
The key is simply to
begin! Then be
consistent. Don’t try
to be the perfect
student right away
―this is a lifelong
process.
 Memorizing God’s Word
A. Benefits of Memorizing Scripture
1. Resist temptation
2. Make wise
decisions
3. Will strengthen|
Gives you peace
4. Comforts you
5. Helps you witness
 B. When to Memorize
• During your quiet time.
• While exercising
• While waiting
• At bedtime (Psalm 63:6)
C. How to Memorizing Scripture
1. Pick a verse that speaks
to you
2. Say the reference
3. Read the verse aloud
many times.
4. Glance at the first
phrase and say it aloud
5. Say the verse from memory later in the
day
6. Repeat the verse several times
7. Always memorize the verse word perfect
8. Get a partner so you can check each
other
How to Meditate in God’s Word
A. What Does Meditation Mean?

• Listening to God’s Word

• Reflecting on God’s word
• Rehearsing God’s Deeds
• Ruminating on God’s Law
B. Benefits of Meditation

1. Our Love for God Will Grow

2. Our Faith Will Grow
3. We Will Become Like Christ
4. Key to Answered Prayer
5. Key to Successful Living
C. Six Ways to Meditate on a Verse
1. Picture it!
2. Pronounce it!
3. Paraphrase it!
4. Personalize it!
5. Pray it!
6. Probe it!
 How to Apply God’s Word
A. Application Questions

?
1. Ask this question first: What did it
mean to the original hearers?
2. Ask this question second: What is
the underlying timeless principle?
3. Ask this question third: Where or
how could I practice that principle?
 B. Example of Application
and the Importance of Checking Context

Based on Acts 10:9-48

• What did it mean to the original hearers?

• What is the underlying timeless principle?
• Where or how could I practice that principle?
 Ask Questions
Gather Information
Using Bible Study Principles and Guidelines
Looking at Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A
Canaanite woman of that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,
have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him,
“Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent
only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord,
help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and
toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs
that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”

And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

After the first reading we might have some of the
following question/reactions:

• Why did Jesus ignore

her at first?
• When Jesus made the
reference about not
tossing the children’s
bread to their dogs,
was He calling the
woman a dog?
 What came before this story?

Matthew 15:21-28

• What came before this story?

• What is the theme of the chapter?
• What persons are mentioned?
What information is included?
• Which verse, words or phrase
stands out to me most in the
chapter?
 My first step would be to check the
notes in my study Bible on these
particular verses and see what I learn.
I would also check the concordance to
see if I find any similar references in
other parts of the scripture. Then I
would also check at least one
commentary resource to see what
information I might gather.
 KJV VS PINOY BIBLE
Proverbs 19:3
KJV- Ang kahangalan ng tao ang sumisira sa kanyang landas, at ang
kanyang puso ay nagagalit laban sa Panginoon.

Bible Pinoy Version- Napapahamak ang tao sa sarili nyang

kabobohan, tapos si Lord ang sinisisi nya.

Psalm 71:8
KJV- Ang bibig ko’y puno ng pagpupuri sa iyo, at ng iyong
kaluwalhatian buong araw.

Bible Pinoy Version- Buong araw kitang pinupuri. Lagi kong sinasabi,
“Wow! Grabe, ang galing mo.”
 KJV VS PINOY BIBLE

Ezekiel 36:26 –
KJV Bibigyan ko kayo ng bagong puso at ko kayo ng bagong Espiritu sa loob
ninyo. Aking aalisin ang batong puso sa inyong laman at aking bibigyna
kayo ng pusong laman.

Pinoy Version: Bibigyan ko kayo ng isang bagong puso at bagong isipan.

Kukunin ko ang puso nyong pasaway at papalitan yun ng masunuring puso.

1 Samuel 1:23 – Sumagot si Elkanah, “Sige, gawin mo kung ano sa tingin

mo ang tama. Hintayin mo syang mahinto sa breastfeed at sana tulungan
ka ni Lord na matupad ang promise mo sa kanya.” Kaya nag-stay sa bahay
si Hannah at inalagaan ang anak nya hanggang sa pwede na itong
mahiwalay sa kanya.
 BIBLE VERSIONS

• Bible book stores shelves are running over with

all sorts of different versions and translations of
the Bible, some good and helpful; others,
twisted and inaccurate. Consulting several
English translations can be helpful, but don't get
too far away from the standard translations—

(King James, New King James, American Standard,

New American Standard)
 What are the lessons
we can learn from this story?

• It pays to hold on in faith!

• Hold on even when it seems that
God is not listening.
• Hold on even if others reject you!
• Jesus’ mercy is available and there is
enough for everyone!
• Jesus will affirm your faith.
 What application of His Word
will I make in my life?
When I begin to feel
overwhelmed at work or with
what is happening in a
relationship I will ask God for
help. If I become convinced He
didn’t listen I will choose to
trust that He did hear and that
He will handle things in the
best way possible.
“Guard My Words as your most precious
possession. Write them down, and also
keep them deep within your heart.”
Proverbs 7:2-3 (LB)