Select and Identify your Passage

(This step can be incorporated in the “Inductive Bible Study Method” in the first steps of preparation)

For Bible Study and preaching, it is always best to stick to two to six verses unless it is a narrative passage, such as Genesis or Chronicles. This is to make your learning and your teaching more manageable and understandable. You do not want to be overloaded or overload your people with information; at the same time, you want to learn and enable them to be able to give the overview and the “meat” of the passage, making it “hit home” with them, as it relates and applies both to your and their lives. If you are going through the Bible exegetically, as in verse-by-verse through a whole book, outline it first, and then break down your messages into sub-categories. This is for better clarity and understanding, not just for you, but for those to whom you are communicating.

Make sure you are using a good translation and not a paraphrase. Stick to one main translation to work from; even if you are using the Greek text, have the NASB handy and use it as your baseline because you will have to communicate your work so others who may not know Greek can understand and relate. (However, this curriculum is designed for those who are not using Greek.) Only read and refer to a paraphrase to gain more insights; do not study from it unless that is all you have.

·        Start by browsing the whole book to see the whole picture of what is going on.

·        Then carefully read the chapter of your passage, then, reread it very carefully and slowly in a good translation.

·        Keep in mind the inductive question, “what does this passage say?”

·        Remember to be in a state of prayer and humbleness before the Father!

By the way, I have found most people hear very little Greek from the pulpit unless it relates to the preacher’s point or is used as an illustration. It is always best to do your work and then communicate so people can understand; speak and preach to their level of understanding and not over them! People do not care how much you know if you do not love and care for them and teach in an humble manner.