Verse by Verse

 

 VERSE-BY-VERSE

THE

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 ANAL  A NALYS YSI IS METHO METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY   How to Study Stud y a Pass Passage age of the Bible Verse by Verse

 As an alternative to the Chapter Analysis Method of Bible Study (chap. 10) 10),, where you use the principles of observation, obser vation, interpretation, interpretation, correlation, and applicati application on in a systematic fashion, the verse-by-verse verse-by-verse analysis of a passage is useful when you don’t have the time for an in-depth study. Rather than doing an extensive job on book survey, chapter analysis, and book synthesis, the verse-by-verse analysis of a passage takes each verse and examines examines it from five viewpoints, using the special  Verse-by-Verse  Verse-by -Verse Analysis Analysis Form. The five things you will do with each verse are • • • •

Write a personal paraphrase paraphrase of it. List some questions and and whatever whatever answers you you find. Find some some cross-references cross-references for for it. Write down some insights you have have discovered.

• Write out a brief personal personal application. application. 221

 

RICK WARREN’S BIBLE STUDY METHODS

DEFINITION

The Verse-by-Verse Verse-by-Verse Analysis Method of Bible Study involv involves es selecting a passage of Scripture and examining it in detail by asking questions, finding cross-references, and paraphrasing each verse. We then record a possible, personal application for each verse we study.

 WHY THIS THIS METH METHO OD OF OF BIB BIBLE LE STUDY  STUDY 

This method may be used two ways. First, it may be used as an alternative to the Chapter Analysis Method when you want to work systematically systematically through a passage or chapter. It is particularly useful when you have limited time and cannot complete a whole chapter at one sitting. In this method you have the option of selecting the number of verses in a passage you want to analyze at any given time. The form is open-ended, and you may proceed at whatever pace you desire. Second, it may be used in a more advanced topical study. In this case, the verse-by-verse chart would be used in place of the comparison chart (at the end of this chapter). This method can be used without reference tools, or you can engage in a more in-depth approach that requires a minimum of tools, as follows:

STEP ONE — Write Out a Personal Paraphrase  STEP TWO — List Some Questions, Q uestions, Answers, and STEP THREE — Find Some STEP FOUR — STEP FIVE —

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Observations  Observatio ns 

Cross-References Cross-Ref erences for Each Verse 

Record Any Insights You Get from Each Verse 

Write Down a Brief Personal Application for Each Verse 

 

The Verse-by-Verse Analysis Method of Bible Study 

• • • •

A study Bible An exhaustive exhaustive concordance concordance (for cross-reference cross-references) s) A Bible Bible dictionary dictionary and/or Bible encyclopedia encyclopedia A set of word word studies studies

SIMPLE STEPS ON DOING DOING A V ERSE-BY ERSE-BY-VER -VERSE SE ANA A NALYS LYSIS IS

This study is built around the verse-by-verse analysis chart. You follow five simple procedures for each verse that you study. To begin, select the passage you want to analyze verse by verse. Work through the passage in a logical order, writing out your first verse in the first space of column 1, second verse in the second space, and so forth (see the Sample S ample Verse-byVerse-by-Verse Verse Analysis Form). STEP ONE

Write a Personal Paraphrase 

Write out the verse in your own words. Do not use one of the modern paraphrases except exce pt to get the idea of how to do it. Stay true to the verse you are paraphrasing, and try to condense rather than expand expand it. STEP TWO

List Some Questions, Answers, and Observations 

In column 3 of the Chapter Analysis Form at the end of this chapter, chapter, list any questions you have relating to words, phrases, persons, topics, and doctrines in that verse. Write down any answers you can find and also record any observations you have.. Mark these as follows: have • Q = Question • A = Answer • O = Observations STEP THREE

Find Some Cross-References for Each Verse 

Using the cross-references from your study Bible or from Scripture memory, write down some cross-references cross-references (at least one) one ) for the verse you are studying. Identify 223

 

RICK WARREN’S BIBLE STUDY METHODS

the word or phrase you are cross-referencing at the end of this chapter. Use a concordance if you do not have a cross-referenced Bible. STEP FOUR

Record Any Insights You Get from Each Verse 

Having thought through the words, phrases, and concepts in the verse, record any insights that you get from them. These could be further observations, words and names that you have looked up and defined, or any other thought that comes to you. Let your imagination go and be as creative as you can in this fifth column, called Personal Application, in the form at the end of this chapter. STEP FIVE

Write Down a Brief Personal Application for Each Verse 

Because of the number of verses in your study, you will not be able to design an application project for each verse. Instead, just try to record some devotional thoughts that come to you from each verse. Later, in a devotional Bible study, you can pick one of the thoughts and plan to work on it. Or Or,, if a particular verse seems to meet an immediate need, go ahead and write out an application that is possible, practical, personal, and measurable.

HOW TO FILL IN THE VERSE-BY-VERSE ANALYSIS FORM  You will need as many forms or your own sheets of paper — on which you have drawn the six column columnss — as there are verses in the chapter you are studying. When you have decided on the number of verses to study, write each one in a separate space in column 1, using your favorite translation of the Bible. You should probably stick with the same translation all through the study. Filling Out the Form   After selecting the verses and filli filling ng in column 1 with their words, fill in the rest of the columns as described in the five steps above. Refer to the following sample form for ideas on how to do it. The only limiting factors in this study are your time and your creativity. 224

 

The Verse-by-Verse Analysis Method of Bible Study 

Sample Filled-out Form  See the example of 1 Timothy 1:1 – 3 at the end of this chapter. Assignment  Since you have been given a sample from 1 Timothy, your assignment is to con tinue in that book. When you have completed it and want a change of pace after trying some other methods, you may want to study some of the shorter books of the New Testament, such as 2 Timothy, 1 John, Philippians, or the one-chapter books (Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude).

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 VERSE VER SE-BY BY--VER VERSE SE A NALYS NALYSIS IS FO FOR M BOOK OR TOPIC

1 Timothy

 Verses

Personal Paraphrase

Questions and Answers

1:1

Paul, one sent forth as Christ’s rep-

Q. What does the word “apostle”

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by

resentative, as instructed by God,

mean?

the command of God our Savior,

the One who saves us, and Christ

 A. The Greek word apostolos

and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Jesus our hope,

comes from the verb apostello , “send forth.” O. God the Father rather than Christ is called Savior.

1:2

To Timothy, my true child in the

Q. Does the name Timothy have

To Timothy, my true son in the faith:

Christian faith. May love, mercy,

any special meaning?

Grace, mercy and peace from God

and peace from God the Father and

 A. Timothy means “he who honors

the Father and Christ Jesus our

Christ Jesus our Lord be yours.

God.”

1:3

 As I urged you upon my departure departure

Q. What doctrines were being

 As I urged you when I went into

for Macedonia, remain in Ephesus

taught by these men?

Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus

so that you can instruct certain

 A. Not doctrines of false religions,

so that you may command certain

men not to teach non-Christian

but a false teaching posing as

men not to teach false doctrines

doctrines.

inspired Christian doctrine.

Lord.

any longer.

Q. What was Timothy’s ministry in Ephesus?

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 VERSE VER SE-BY BY--VER VERSE SE A NALYS NALYSIS IS FO FOR RM BOOK OR TOPIC

1 Timothy

Cross-References

Insights

Possible Personal  Applications

 Apostle:

1. The name Paul came from the

I must begin to see myself in the

2 Corinthians 1:1

Latin name Paulus , which means

role of Christ’s ambassador who

God my Savior:

“little.”

has been authorized and sent out

Luke 1:47

2. The name Timothy means “he

with a divine message. The authorauthor-

Titus 1:3

who honors God.”

ity of my witness will only be as

Christ our hope:

3. Paul did not need to tell Timothy

effective as my awareness of my

Colossians 1:27

that he was an apostle, so perhaps

mission.

this letter was intended to be read by others as well.

My child:

1. “Messiah” in Hebrew means

May my name become synony-

2 Timothy 1:2

“Christo” in Greek, which means

mous with a life that is honoring to

“Christ” in English. Christ means

God, like Timothy’s.

Christ Jesus:

“the anointed one of God.”

1 Timothy 1:15

2. Jesus means “Jehovah Saves!” It comes from the word ”Joshua.”

False teaching:

1. Paul criticized the Christians in

I will endeavor to be knowledge-

1 Timothy 6:3

Corinth for their weakness in deal-

able of Christian doctrine so I can

2 Corinthians 11:4

ing with false doctrine (2 Cor C or.. 11:4).

differentiate between true and

Since Timothy was with Paul in

false teaching. Christian Science,

Corinth for a long time, he received

Jehovah’ss Witness, and MormonJehovah’ Mormon-

good training for what was needed

ism all need my attention in this

in Ephesus.

regard.

2. Timothy went to Ephesus with Paul, then later, after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, Timothy was there again. This is when he was urged to stay.

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 VERSE VER SE-BY BY--VER VERSE SE A NALYS NALYSIS IS FO FOR M BOOK OR TOPIC

 Verses

228

Personal Paraphrase

Questions and Answers

 

 VERSE VER SE-BY BY--VER VERSE SE A NALYS NALYSIS IS FO FOR RM BOOK OR TOPIC

Cross-References

Insights

Possible Personal  Applications

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