Elements of this Bible Study
Sessions
Each session is designed for one day’s study. Set aside 30-45 minutes per session. 1 to 3 chapters are usually covered in the session. Do not be in a hurry. We are looking for quality not quantity. If you do 5 sessions a week you will complete the study in about 3 months. If you want to read beyond that day’s focus I suggest digging into some ‘Old Corn’ or picking a gospel to read through from beginning to end.
Context
This summary of the book helps with your overall understanding and, hopefully, keeps you from straying too far afield due to taking individual verses out of context. Entire religions have been created because a line or two of scripture was pulled from the whole and made into unassailable truths when the meaning and content was far different than the intended.
The Scripture Reading
We will study each Epistle one at a time. Each session of this study is based on two to three chapters of scripture. Often we will pull in a section of a gospel or the book of Acts or an Old Testament book to supplement the reading. These are not random combinations. They are gathered in this fashion to further your understanding of what is presented in the Epistle.
The Study Questions
After your reading you will be given a few questions to answer. Some ask you to recount details – look back at the bible as this is an ‘open book’ study. Some questions will be opened ended as I am not trying to tell you what each chapter entails but allow you and the Lord to discuss and discover. There are blank lines for you to answer these questions or take notes. Writing words helps you to understand better what you are thinking and what you understand of what you are reading.
Nuggets
These are fun or interesting facts about the writer, the book, the people of the times or life in general.
Maps
I am convinced that you must have a clear understanding of the geography of the bible to fully appreciate and understand it. As you are just beginning your quest for biblical knowledge you will not be overwhelmed with maps and charts, but a few simple ones are here to help you keep the players in their places.
Old Corn
This is suggested “extra credit” reading from the Old Testament. If you have the time and desire jump back and enjoy these words of wisdom from the earlier writers.
Date Completed
As you finish a chapter mark the date. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and as you are near the end you can review your notes with knowledge of when they were written. Keep in mind that there is no time limit with this bible study. Although we should daily be in the word, you may decide just to read some Old Corn or choose something that is not in this study. That’s perfectly all right. Just keep coming back and digging in. Many people read the entire bible each year and that is highly recommended and wonderful. But for now, it is more important to go slow and absorb all the goodness he has for you. Like momma always says, “Chew your food slowly to get the most nutrition.”
Prayer
Each day you will be reminded to pray. If you have never spent much time in prayer before, then let me tell you of some advice I received from a wise pastor’s wife. She suggests to all the new converts in her church to open their bible to the book of Psalms. These are songs/prayers that King David and others wrote. Each day take time to read a psalm aloud and make it your prayer. As you read the words let them come from your heart. Speak to them as if you wrote them. They are a great example of what prayer can and should be. In time the pattern you have learned from the psalms will become natural in your prayers. Suggested Psalms are given each day to make part of your prayer life – read others if you prefer. In addition, specific subjects will be proposed to add to your daily prayer. Let prayer become a habit and a burning desire.
