Study to be Approved (Part III)

SIX FAITHFUL FRIENDS WHICH ENHANCE BIBLE STUDY

When studying the bible it is always good to have an abundance of tools at hand. It is equally good to have a number of faithful friends. Let me introduced you to at six (6) of the most faithful and helpful friends I have at hand to help me study the bible.

I have six faithful friends,

they taught me all I knew

their names are How and What and Why

When and Where and Who

When studying a passage make a list of things that you don’t understand in order to investigate them. This list could include things such as unfamiliar names like Lo-ruhamah or Lo-Ammi found in Hosea. Your list could include places that you have little or no knowledge of such as Tyre or Sidom recorded in places like Mark. You might want to learn more about Syro-Phoenician people. Always keep at least two dictionaries at hand when you are engaged in bible study; an English dictionary and a Bible dictionary in order to look up words that you do not know.

Here is an example of how you might call on my six (6) special friends in order to make your bible study for fulfilling. These six (6) friends are called interrogative questions. Using these six (6) interrogative questions, you could ask the following questions about Mark 1:40-45.

 How was leprosy viewed in Jesus’ day?  

What is leprosy?  

What did Jesus do to heal the leper?  

What does the word “compassion” mean in Mark 1:41?  

Why was Jesus moved with compassion (ponder His eternal nature)?  

Why did Jesus charge the leprous man not to tell anyone that he was healed?  

When did the leper come to Jesus (hint:  see Mark 1:32-39 and note v. 38)?  

Where did Jesus send the leper after he was healed?  

Who was impacted as a result of the leper’s disobedience (see Mark 2:1-2)?


Asking questions will help you dig deeper and understand the passage more clearly. Don't settle for skimming, merely reading, or leaving a passage without understanding. Ask enough questions of the text, the author, and even of God through His Holy Spirit to answer your questions. This will give you a deep understanding of each passage.