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Believers can choose several different methods to use while they study scripture. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss four different ways to learn more about God’s person and commands in his great letter to humanity. Each of these methods have benefits for understanding the Bible better but also potential pitfalls if they are misused or misunderstood, which Gary and Joshua explore in this discussion.
Key Points from the Podcast
• Devotionals are an excellent way to understand the heart and nature of God on a personal level. The right ones can offer us a daily way to realign to God’s Word.
• Some devotionals may focus on topics or aspects only very loosely based on the Bible or have a certain agenda that may or may not direct us successfully to God. There’s nothing automatically wrong with topical or focused devotions, but we may need to exercise wisdom while using these resources.
• Topical studies can help us develop a more robust understanding of certain facets of the scriptures like money, anger, visions, spiritual gifts, etc. We should take care that we come into this type of study with an openness to learn what God has to say, rather than searching for a certain conclusion that we would like.
• Expository study of the Bible focuses on the principles within certain passages and how they link to other portions of scripture as well as how those passages fit within the context of the book they’re in or other verses they’re surrounded by.
• Word study is where you look at how a specific word is used throughout the entire body of the Bible. It often includes studying the etymology of a word in scriptures through online tools. We need to take some care with etymology, though, since the Bible is translated from ancient languages that are fairly different than English.
• Each of these methods require thought and care, but the benefits of using them will bring us into a deeper understanding of the Bible!
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
Episodes in this Podcast Series
About Joshua West
Joshua West serves as the Church Leadership Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.
