Maximizing Your Study Time, Part 2

March, 2004

by: John Richard

Imagine if you were going to see a world–renowned musician play at Carnegie Hall and the show was just about to start. As you anticipated the evening, you were thrilled thinking you were going to hear some glorious sounds, but as the musician started you couldn't believe what you were hearing. Instead of being mesmerized by the beautiful sound, you were demoralized with the cacophony. One note after the other was misplayed, so much so that you couldn't even recognize the song. Then after a short time, which seemed like an eternity, the musician stopped and apologized for the sound. He then proceeded to admit that he had not practiced nor prepared for this evening. He thought he could just ‘wing’ it when he came out, but his maximum effectiveness was thwarted due to his lack of preparation. How would you react? Would you want your money back? Would you ever go and hear this musician again?

Most likely you would be troubled if not upset at his lack of effort. You probably would wonder why he didn't even prep or practice playing his most valuable tool. You might be angered by the fact that he just didn't spend any time playing his instrument before this evening. On this same thought, how much time do you spend on your most precious item? How often do you try to learn and study this item? Are you angered when you don't diligently meditate on it or prepare your heart for your time in it?

What is this precious commodity? It is the living and enduring (1 Peter 1:23), sharp (Hebrew 4:12) Word of God. Last month, I posed the question as to whether you can study the Bible with maximum effectiveness, and the answer was an undeniable yes. We learned that before we get into the specific steps of understanding the Bible, we must first prepare ourselves appropriately. In this article we are going to dive into the Bible study process and look at the first step, which is observation. Basically, observation answers the question, “What does it say?” The ultimate goal is for you to not only know what it says and means, but to have it change your life, so that you may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17).

This step of observation is very critical to this whole process. The student of Scripture must be a detective before he can solve the case of Biblical interpretation. The temptation is to bypass observation to ask, “What does this text mean?” and jump to conclusions about the text. This comes later. Since this is the first link in the chain of Biblical study, it directs the rest of what will happen. If things are not properly observed, then the rest of the process will be off. So where do you begin after the initial time of preparation? Well, you pick a text and begin to read it. I would suggest that you read and reread this text. I would also advise you not to just be a browser or just a “skimmer off the top,” for the Word requires conscious, concentrated effort. Now that you are reading, how do you observe?

Observation is not as hard as it might seem. It becomes more difficult though when we don't stay with just observations and try to make applications. For example, instead of just observing that Paul gives the Ephesians a command we might quickly try to implement that into our lives. This is a process that commonly occurs, but I want to encourage you in your Bible study to initially just make observations. For example, observe how many connective words there are: “and,” “but,” “therefore,” “for,” and others. Write down the verbs in each verse. Look for patterns in the context, such as a string of verbs or commands or adjectives. Seek words that are repeated or words that a writer tends to use often like Matthew, who is the only Gospel writer who uses the phrase “the kingdom of heaven.” Howard Hendricks, in his book, Living by the Book lists six items that he looks for: Things that are emphasized, things that are repeated, things that are related (connected), things that are alike, things that are not alike, and things that are true to life. If you work hard at making these simple observations, you will be well on your way to studying the Bible with great effectiveness.