Edward Louie (2011)
The phrase “Bible study” can mean different things to different people. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. Other people consider Bible study to refer to academic and theological studies about the Bible.
At Knowable Word, I use the term Bible study to describe the average person with open Bible in hand. You’ve got God’s Word, a wish to know him, and some time on your hands. Now what? What do you do with this ancient text to help you know God better? That’s Bible study.
Would you like to learn it with me? Would you like to unleash the power of God for salvation on our generation? Would you like to train others to be effective handlers of the Word?
My mission is to help you do exactly that.
The purpose of this post is to give you a road map for the process. Each link below will take you to a post that explains that step of the OIA Bible study method (Observation, Interpretation, Application). To learn more about leading OIA small groups, see the series on how to lead a Bible study.
Introduction
Why we study the Bible
Everyone has a Bible study method
Overview of the OIA Bible study method
Why OIA is the best Bible study method
6 reasons why we don’t study the Bible
Observation
The greatest enemy of observation is familiarity
5 things to observe
Interpretation
Why should we interpret?
The greatest enemy of interpretation is observation
Another enemy of interpretation is relativism
3 steps for interpreting the Bible
The difference between a main point and a summary
The importance of context (Part 1 & Part 2)
How to see Jesus in any Bible passage
4 mistakes when using commentaries
Application
The transition from interpretation to application
The greatest enemy of application is insight
10 reasons why you should apply the Bible to your life
Application: the art of producing change
How to apply the Bible: summary
Remember Jesus in your application
Be specific in your application
My example of application from Luke 2
Conclusion
Correlation: understanding the whole Bible
3 tips for healthy correlation (Part 1 & Part 2)
You are now approved to study the Bible
NEXT SERIES: How to Lead a Bible Study
i really Appreciate OIA methods of bible study. God bless you I am using in our church.
Thank you so much for this! This will be a great help for me as I dig deeper into God’s word.