Welcome to the Devotional Method: (Peter Rhebergen):
This Bible study method, accompanied by resources, will allow you to do a Bible study in your
own way. It is an example of some of the most effective Bible study methods found and discussed
more fully in the following book, which is unfortunately now out of print:
Warren, Richard, with William A. Shell, 12 Dynamic Bible Study Methods,
Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1987.
All the material that follows has been taken exclusively from this book and summarized for
this course. I had the privilege of studying this material under William (Bill) Shell in a class
on Biblical Interpretation at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1988 – 1989
and found both him and his teaching very beneficial as his heart was dedicated to the equipping
of the saints. If there is any copyright infringement I am solely to blame and plead the excuse
that this material is simply too valuable not to share with others.
In each method described here, a basic outline of the method will be given and some useful
tools for this method will be listed. The studies begin with the basic method types and progress
toward studies that are more in depth and require greater allocations of time but which will also
yield greater results. Each method of Bible study presented here is accompanied by a chart, which
has been reproduced from the above book.
-- Peter Rhebergen
In the Devotional Method of Bible study a passage of the Bible, large or small, is read and
meditated on until the Holy Spirit guides you to an application of the passage into your life in
a way that is personal, practical, possible, and measurable. It is the simplest and least costly
in terms of time of all the Bible study methods in this outline. The goal is to take the Bible
seriously and to do what it says to do.
1.1 - Tools
1.1.1 - Bible
1.2 - Hints
1.2.1 - This method can be used as part of your quiet times with God.
1.2.2 - Requires little investment of time and can be done as you travel or
wait for life to catch up to you.
1.3 - Steps
Step 1 - Pray for understanding and guidance as you apply the passage into
your life.
Step 2 - Meditate on the verse(s) you have chosen for your study.
Step 3 - Write out the application you will make from the passage into your life.
Step 4 - Memorize a verse from the passage that summarizes what you have learned.
Step 5 - Assess your application in the weeks that follow for success or failure.
Chart for the Devotional Method of Bible study
Date: |
Passage: |
1. Prayer (check here when you have prayed over this passage): |
2. Meditation:
|
3. Application (How you will apply this passage to your life):
|
4. Memorization (Key verse of the passage, for this particular study):
|
5. Assessment of Application (Perform this step over the next couple of weeks):
|
Peter Rhebergen, was raised in a Christian home and currently
attends Westney Heights Baptist Church with his family. He is a volunteer in several of its
ministries and has served as assistant pastor, youth leader, adult Sunday School teacher and as
pulpit supply at various churches and Bible Camps in Southern Ontario. He has been married since
1989 and together with his wife has three wonderful children who have introduced them to horses,
hermit crabs and numerous other creatures they would not otherwise have met. He is an avid
photographer and poet and has held a life-long interest in astronomy thanks to Psalm 19 and an
uncle. You can visit's Peters website at
www.EachNewDay.com.
This material can be freely used by anyone desiring to bring honour to our God - Peter Rhebergen