Method 7 - The Word Study Method of Bible Study

Welcome to the Word Study 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

7.1 - Tools

7.1.1 - Bible and several alternate translations

7.1.2 - Exhaustive concordance

7.1.3 - Bible dictionary or encyclopedia

7.1.4 - Set of word studies

7.1.5 - English dictionary

7.2 - Hints

7.2.1 - Remember that often a single word in the original language may be replaced by many different words, or even phrases, when translated into English.

7.2.2 - An exhaustive concordance such as Strong's or Young's are especially valuable for this study since they associate each discrete original word to its English translation.

7.3 - Steps

Step 1 - Choose the word you will study.

Step 2 - Find its English definition in the English dictionary.

Step 3 - Compare treatments of the word in the various translations.

Step 4 - Note the definition of the original word (Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic).

Step 5 - Discover just where the word is used in the Bible.

7.3.5.1 - How often does it occur?

7.3.5.2 - In which books is it found?

7.3.5.3 - In which book is it used most?

7.3.5.4 - Where does the word first appear?

7.3.5.5 - Where does it first appear in the book you are studying?

7.3.5.6 - Which writers used the word?

Step 6 - Find the origin and root meaning of the word, how the word was used by the secular culture of the day.

Step 7 - Determine how the word was used in the Bible and how it would have been understood in the culture to which the Bible was originally addressed.

Step 8 - Write an application.

A Suggested List of Key Words for the Word Study Method of Bible Study

Adoption	Faint	Kingdom	Name	Sanctify
Adversary	Faith	Know	Obey	Save
Apostle	Favor	Law	Passover	Servant
Atonement	Fear	Laying on of Hands	Peace	Sin
Baptize	Fellowship	Life	Perfect	Soul
Believe	Flesh	Light	Perish	Spirit
Bless	Good	Lord	Preach	Temptation
Body	Gospel	Love	Propitiation	Trial
Call	Grace	Lust	Reconcile	Truth
Chasten	Hear	Manifest	Redeem	Understand
Christ	Hell	Marriage	Remnant	Vain
Church	Holy	Mediator	Repent	Vision
Confess	Hope	Meek	Rest	Watch
Covenant	Immanuel	Mercy	Resurrection	Wisdom
Death	Iniquity	Mind	Righteous	Witness
Disciple	Jehovah	Minister	Sabbath	Word
Everlasting	Jesus	Miracle	Sacrifice	World
Evil	Judgment	Mystery	Saint	Worship

Chart for the Word Study Method of Bible study

1. English Word:	3. Comparison of Translations:
2. English Definition:
4. Original Word and Short Definition(s):
5. Occurrences in the Bible:
6. Root Meaning and Origin:
7. Biblical Usage:
8. Application / Evaluation:

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