Method Twelve - The Verse by Verse Method of Bible Study
In the Verse by Verse Method you will select a passage of the Bible and examine it in great detail, asking questions of it, finding cross references to it, and paraphrasing each verse within it. The Verse by Verse Bible study concludes with your obtaining a practical, personal application for each verse in the study.
12.1 - Tools
12.1.1 - Bible
12.1.2 - Cross references
12.1.3 - Exhaustive concordance
12.1.4 - Bible dictionary and/or encyclopedia
12.1.5 - Word studies
12.2 - Hints
12.2.1 - If you are short on time you can do this study without the reference tools above, except for the Bible of course.
12.3 - Steps
Step 1 - Write out each verse of the passage in your own words, striving for accuracy and not referring to other paraphrases except by way of example. You are attempting to put the passage into your own words, not into the words of an other person.
Step 2 - List any questions you have on any verse in your study, note any answers you are able to find, and record any observations you have made on that verse. Do this for each verse in the study. It may be helpful for you to indicate questions, answers, and observations with the letters Q, A, or O so that each will be easier to find upon returning to the study at other times.
Step 3 - Find some cross references for each verse, trying for at least one for each verse, and indicate if the reference is for a specific word, phrase, or concept within that verse.
Step 4 - For each verse note any insights you have found in your study.
Step 5 - Write a brief personal application for each verse or, failing that, make note of some devotional thought to which you may return in a Devotional Bible study and build upon it.
