Methodical Principles
STUDYING A LONGER BOOK

“How shall I apply all these principles when studying a longer book such as one of the Gospels or an Old Testament historical book? Are there methodical steps to follow?”

Reflections
So far in our thesis we have worked with shorter passages of Scripture in order to learn skills in Bible study. The primary purpose of the skills is to teach us how to think when studying Scripture. Whether studying a paragraph or a whole book, the basic approach is the same. Let us review the general procedures:

Whether studying a verse, paragraph, chapter or book, the principal steps in the process are the same. They are basic in all study processes, but the manner in which you apply the steps will be determined by the amount of material to cover, the purpose of your study and the time allocated for study. While a person who does a great deal of Bible study and teaching develops short cuts, still, one should never minimize the importance of thorough study. But, it is true that the more skilled one becomes in learning how to study, the more can be accomplished in a shorter period of time.

Procedure in the Study of a Gospel
Imagine that you are to teach one of the Gospels in a Sunday Bible class. Using the book of Mark for our illustrations, the following procedure may help in your preparation. The same procedure could be followed if studying the book of Acts or one of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) books. Your procedure for study will probably be a procedure for teaching the book.

STEP ONE – Observe the Whole Book
1. Skim through the book of Mark quickly in order to obtain a general idea of the content.

2. Read the whole book more carefully with one purpose in mind: to observe the general content and grouping of material.

3. As you read the Gospel for the second time, work out a rough horizontal chart, blocking out sixteen spaces across your sheet, one space for each chapter in the book of Mark. Number the spaces up to sixteen. As you read each chapter, summarize its content in a brief phrase or title and write this in your chapter space.

The Gospels are divided into sections, such as, early life of Jesus; early ministry; later ministry; general discourses (sermons and parables); Jesus’ passion and resurrection. As you read, note the relationship of the chapters to each other. Block together those having to do with specific phases of Jesus’ life, such as His preparation, ministry, sufferings and death, resurrection. When you have finished reading the book, you should have before you a graphic summary of the whole book showing general chapter content and the main structure of the book.

STEP TWO – Observe the Chapters
The second step is to carefully study the individual chapters. Again, it is helpful to block out the material in chart form. Sketch a horizon­tal chart for each chapter and allow as many spaces as there are paragraphs. Title your paragraphs by summar­izing the main thought of each paragraph into a short phrase. Study the paragraphs to see which are on the same topic. Block these together as a division. Note how the paragraphs are tied together and their relationship to each other. In the study of each chapter there are many features which you can record on your chart.

For instance:
1. Make note of key persons, places, events or happenings, key ideas, characteristics of people, the actions of people, their reactions and attitudes.

2. Keep in mind the patterns of literary structure as described in lesson four, “Improving.” Make note of significant repetitions, comparisons, contrasts, centers of interest, progressions of ideas, climax. Note whether there are contrasts, repetition or progression of ideas between paragraphs.

3. Note how the message is emphasized: through a parable? narrative? question? quotations? story? conversation?

4. Note the atmosphere. How would you describe it? controversial? tense? challenging? peaceful?

5. Study the reaction of each person to others and to Jesus. Especially note those who opposed Him, reasons for opposition, and methods used against Him.

6. Make a special study of the miracles and discourses of Jesus.

7. Discover what the chapter teaches about the Bible’s four main concepts: God, man, sin, redemption.

8. Observe the human touches in the Gospel narratives. Make note of those incidents which seem true to life. Note in what ways the Biblical characters act and react as normal human beings.

STEP THREE – Study Background
In the study of a historical book like a Gospel, it is important to understand the geographical and historical background of the material recorded. Consult a Bible dictionary or encyclopedia for descriptions of such persons as Pharisees and Sadducees, and for historical figures such as King Herod or Pontius Pilate. Locate on a map the events in the life of Jesus. You will find it helpful to make your own map and indicate the location of events in His life.

STEP FOUR – Interpret
Although in the study of a longer book you may not record your interpretive questions as you did in your study of the Epistle of James, you should continually ask yourself questions, such as: Why is this event recorded? Why does Jesus do what He does? What is the meaning, significance and implication of His statements, sermons, parables, stories? Why do people act and react as they do? Why is so much space given to some events and so little to others? What is the purpose of the author recording what he does? Why did he not record what some of the other Gospel writers included? As you chart the chapters and study individual paragraphs, write down some of your key interpretive questions.

When interpreting narrative passages, it is important to try to attempt recreating in your own mind the historical situation. Imagine how you would have felt, acted, reacted if you had witnessed the scene recorded. For example, try to recreate the thoughts and emotions of the disciples at the Transfiguration scene, the Last Supper, His crucifixion.

As with the Epistle of James, apply the same steps for interpreting narrative portions: pray, meditate, define words, study characteristics of people, compare translations, look up cross‑references, and consult other helps. As always, summarize your findings.

STEP FIVE – Apply
Application is as important in studying the Gospels as it is in studying the Epistles. Apply the words of Jesus to your personal life. Use the characters as examples in determining proper attitudes toward Jesus: What should be your attitude toward Him? What should be your answer to His questions? What is the danger of being on the side of the opposition? How can you be a Pharisee?

Apply the Biblical teachings to your daily living. Think of practical ways to give reality to your faith when working in the kitchen, in a corn field, in the business office, in the school room, at a baseball game, etc.

STEP SIX – Study Individual Passages
Perhaps you will make a special study of some of the more important passages, such as special events in the life of Jesus, His sermons or parables.

If it is a discoursive passage such as one of Jesus’ sermons, you will find it helpful to diagram it as suggested in the lesson, “Observing the Whole,” making observations and asking yourself questions as suggested in the lessons, “Beginning” and “Improving.” Work out a summary diagram for teaching purposes.

If it is a narrative message, you might find the following procedure helpful, using the six questions as your guide:

1. Where – Note the setting of the story. Locate the place on a map.

2. When – Note the time element of the story. Sometimes you have to study other passages to determine time.

3. Who – Make a list of characters. Note the description of the characters.

4. What – Make note of the exact order and details of the events, actions and conversation of the characters. You will find it helpful to list the events, actions and conversation in chronological order. Determine if there is a central feature around which the action revolves. It may be a person, event or idea. For instances, the Good Samaritan story revolves around the man who was hurt.

5. Why – Observe more than mere words. Ask yourself such questions as: Why did events happen as they did? Why did the characters act as they did; say what they did? Why did the story end as it did? Could the characters have responded differently? Why didn't they? Are there contrasts in their actions and attitudes? What is revealed about the personality of the characters through their actions and conversations? What words and ideas need explanation?

6. How – Consider how the teachings in this narrative can be applied to everyday life. Try to re‑create the story in your own mind, to “see” the setting, “feel” the way the characters felt, and “react” as they reacted. Note the human touches in the story, the ways in which characters acted and reacted as normal human beings. What was gained and lost in the actions and conversation of characters?

STEP SEVEN – Summarize
We should always think about summarizing what we have been studying. Step One was to read the whole book and work out a rough chart of the book. As you study each chapter more thoroughly this rough chart should become enlarged to include many insights gained in your study. After thoroughly studying a book, you will probably work out several charts, showing different aspects of the book.

It is important to be aware of different ways a writer may organize his material. It will be helpful to indicate on your chart the below organization.

1. Biographical: in terms of the lives of people. The Book of Genesis is an example in which the material is organized according to the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

2. Historical: in terms of the succession of events. The Book of Exodus is an example in which the material is organized according to the experiences of the Children of Israel as they traveled from Egypt to the land of Canaan.

3. Chronological: in terms of time when events happened. Both Genesis and Exodus are also examples of this type of organization in that the story told is given in chronological order.

4. Geographical: in terms of places where the events happened. The Book of Exodus is also geographical in arrangement in that places as well as events are emphasized.

5. Logical or ideological: in terms of the ideas themselves. The prophetical books and the Epistles are examples of these types of arrangements. The Book of Romans is logical in structure whereas the Book of Philippians is ideological.

Practical Suggestions for the Bible Student
Search for ways to emphasize Biblical truths. Use your own ingenuity and talents. Consider some of the following possibilities:

1. Express your insights and convictions in an original poem or hymn.

2. Work out symbols and object lessons to illustrate Biblical truths. For instance, the teachings in chapter three of James could be symbolized by a ship, a horse, a tongue, a tree, a fountain, or a match. Any one of these could be used to bring out the truths more vividly.

3. Write a dramatic version of some Bible story.

4. Imagine yourself to be one of the Biblical characters and write an “eye witness” account of some scene. For instance, assume the role of Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration or at the trial of Jesus. Describe the scenes through the eyes and emotions of Peter.

5. Plan an advertisement to “sell” some Biblical truth.

6. Write some of the Bible narratives in newspaper style.

7. Illustrate stories and ideas with original drawings.

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