| ReadBibleAlive.com | |
| Series Theme: Bible Study Approaches | |
| Title: 9. How to Study a Person
A page that explains a variety of approaches to Studying the Bible
1. Introduction
This page introduces you to the enjoyment of studying a Bible character, and how to go about it. The study of a person can be more stimulating that simply studying a topic, because with a person we can put ourselves in their shoes. With the study of a Bible character we can really apply things to ourselves.
2. How to Study a Person With such a study there are some obvious and basic questions to ask: 1. Who is this person? What can we find out about them? Who are they related to? How old are they? Where do they live? What do they do in life? 2. Why are they in the Bible? Are they someone who had a particular relationship with God? Are they someone who is simply a person mentioned in passing? Did they have a particular role to play? 3. What happened to them? What actually happened to them? What did they do? 4. What can we learn from them? Are there things we learn about God through them? Are there examples to follow? Is there something to avoid?
These sort of questions will start building up a picture of our person in question. We may wish to then categorise is to clarify things in our minds and to make it more memorable.
3. People to Study Below are lists of people in the Bible that you would provide a good basis for study: a) In the Old Testament
b) In the New Testament
4. An Example of a Character Study EXAMPLE: JOHN THE BAPTIST i) God Given Jn 1:6 - sent from God Lk 1:7 - his conception would have to be supernatural Lk 1: 13 - his arrival was announced by the angel, Gabriel Lk 1: 14 - his birth would cause much rejoicing (fulfilled in v.58) Lk 1:15 - he would be holy Lk 1: 17 - he would be prophetic like Elijah For reflection : - we who are Christians are supernaturally born (Jn 1: 12 ) - we are chosen by God (Eph 1:4) - we are to be a holy prophetic people (1 Pet 2:9) ii) Divine Duty In 1:7 - to be a witness to the Light Lk I : 16 - to bring many people back to God Lk I : 17 - to prepare people for the Lord to come to them Mt 3:2 - by calling people first to repent Mt 3:7 - by calling repentance from specific sin Lk 3:7 - by showing them the right way to go Lk 3:16 - warning that God was coming Mk I :4 - and baptising them as a sign of repentance In 1:29 - and directly pointing out Jesus as their saviour For reflection: - we are called. as Christians, to do all these things - to bring people back to God - to call for repentance from specific sins - to tell then of God's love - to warn them of God's judgment - to tell them of Jesus as their possible Saviour - to baptise them after conversion - we introduce them to God: He changes them. iii) Heavenly Humility Jn 3:30 - He must become greater; I must become less Jn I :20,21 - decreasing speech about self Jn 1:27 - I am not worth, - but He is For reflection: - we are not called to draw people to ourselves - we are to call people to follow Jesus - therefore other's reliance is to be on Jesus, not on me - I am not to take the glory for anyone's salvation. iv) Commitment's Cost Lk 9:9 - Herod said, I beheaded John Mt 14:3 - Herod arrests John Mt 14:4 - John had been pointing out his sin Mt 14:9 - John is put to death For reflection: - all who live godly lives will be persecuted (2 Tim 3: 12 ) - but we are called to lay down our lives for Christ anyway (Lk 9:23 ,24) v) Frail Follower Mt 11 :3 - Are you the one? Mt 11:2 - John is in prison before his death Mt 11:3 - John is not sure if Jesus is who he thought he was Mt 11:11- John is acclaimed by Jesus For reflection: - despite the many times God blesses us, there come times of trial and testing when our own human frailty is stretched and we are even tempted to wonder about our salvation - even in those times God never forsakes us but acclaims us His children - I am what I am as a Christian, not because of my own efforts, but because of His calling and equipping. Thank you Lord. |