courtesy of: How to Study the Bible by Malcolm Smith
When reading the Bible
Understand that the bible is written in the Hebrew language in the old
testament(which is a picture language) and the Greek language in the New
Testament(which is an exact and scientific language)
Know that God speaks through the manners and customs of the people in the
Bible
Be aware of the historical context and the circumstantial context
God speaks through the lands that are in the bible
God speaks through the personalities of the author that wrote the book
When Studying/Reading a Book in the Bible
Read the whole book, If you need to then listen to it on tape/CD
Always have a journal to write questions
Ask questions
Who wrote the book?
Characteristics of the author
When was the book written?
Historical context
Why was the book written?
Circumstantial context
What kind of mood was the author in?
How much space does the author give to a certain subject?
What word does the author continually use?
What kind of literature is the book?
What are the main divisions that the book naturally falls into?
In one paragraph write down what you feel that the book is saying
When Observing a Passage
Observe the details to see what is there.
Read to see what God is saying, and not to confirm your own ideas
Observe even the littlest words
Ask every question that comes to mind
What are the important words?
What do these words mean?
What does this author mean when he uses a certain word?
Is this literal or figurative?
What is the author doing? (example. Comparing)
Look for summaries of what has already been said
Watch for questions by the writer, and then for his answer
Look for the climax of the passage
Look for the form of language (noun, adjective etc.)
Look for the mood of the writer
What does the passage mean to the first readers?
What was the situation of the writer?
Where were the author and the hearers geographically?