IBS-58 How to make a Bible Passage Worksheet

Big Idea: A step-by-step guide how to create a Bible Passage Worksheet for Inductive Bible Study.


Inductive Bible Study is based on an in depth analysis of a Bible passage in its context of a section or chapter. One usually studies one chapter at a time sequentially. It may involve underlining, highlighting, circles, color coding and comparisons. It can be hard to do this in a Bible with thin paper and small size print. It is also difficult to do using a Bible app. Here is how you can make one on your own.



1. Go to an electronic version of the Bible.

    Bible Gateway

    YouVersion Bible 

2. Find the translation you are studying.



3. Highlight the passage and copy it. Usually you right click on the highlighted section and first choose select, then copy.



4. Paste it on a blank work processing document. Usually you right click and paste will be an option on the list.



5. Highlight the passage to make the following changes   (Example displays MS Word)



a. Choose font. I use Times New Roman. Calibri is the default and is OK to use.

b. Choose font point size. I usually use 12pt. If you need large print use 14 or 16 pt.

c. Choose line spacing. Double spaced is best for room to work and mark up the passage.

 



6. Title with book and chapter.



7. Print.



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This post is a supplement for the series of Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next (New Series): One Story, One Spirit
Previous post: In Conclusion
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Reflect:

1.Can you imagine the Bible as a workbook? Why or why not?

2. If you have ever studied a passage like this, do you recall a time when the exercise was meaningful?

IBS 57 In Conclusion...

Big Idea: A review of Inductive Bible Study and the subjects covered in Diane’s blog post series.

In Conclusion…

This series called Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study is not a quick guide. I started it over a year ago! I hope it has been practical and helpful. Inductive Bible study is not fast food. It is more like the Crockpot with a juicy roast on a ten hour setting. Inductive Bible Study takes time. One revisits the passage again and again, reading it slowly and looking for key words and themes. After some careful, prayerful interpretation, one applies what was studied to his or her everyday life.


We have covered the three stages of Inductive Bible Study. 1.) Observation, 2.) Interpretation and 3.) Application. Here is an outline of the entire series subjects with links. Let me know if any of the links don't work!

Introduction

Practical Starter Guide

The Context is Key
Book Overview
Best Translation for Inductive Study
Clean Bible Study

Part 1: Observation

Seeing Words
Investigative Reporter
Mark Up you Bibles
Identifying God
Marking Key Words
Comparisons and Contrasts
The Chapter Theme

Part 2: Interpretation

The ABCs of Interpretation
That’s Really what It Said
Resources in your Study Bible
What is a Word Study?
How to Use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
Word Study Using Blue Letter Bible
Scripture Interprets Scripture
Maps, Timelines and Charts
Age to Age
Strange Verses: writing styles in the Bible
Unraveling Figures of Speech
What Does “Timeless Truth” Mean?
Timeless Truth Made Easier

Part 3: Application

The “So What” Factor
Bible Application Menu
A-P-P-L-Y the Bible
Never Ask This Question!
Struggling to Ask the Right Questions
Honest to God
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Ten Practical Ways to Apply God’s Word
Memorization
Meditation
Trust and Obey


A supplement showing how to make your own Bible Passage Worksheet will follow. A PDF ebook will be coming in the future.

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This post is fifty-seventh and the conclusion in a series as a Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next: Supplement - How to make a Bible passage worksheet
Previous post: Find the Application: Yield
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Reflect:

1. Have you done Inductive Bible Study before or tried it with this series?How well did it work for you as a Bible Study method?


2. Do you believe it is important to learn to study the Bible on your own, rather than just reading devotionals and commentaries? Why or why not?

IBS-56 Find the Application: The Yield

Big Idea: What yielding to God looks like as we apply the Bible to our lives.

The Yield

A traffic yield sign means to look carefully both ways to let oncoming cars past first. Though it seems a polite suggestion, an accident because of failure to yield would result in a traffic ticket and may cause serious harm.

Curiously, most occurrences of the word “yield” in the English Bible are about the amount of produce from a crop. Farmers today discuss the yield of a crop. Bankers talk about the yield of a particular fund.

The word "yield" is rarely use in the Bible regarding yielding to God, but various words describe submitting to Him. We talk about it as surrender and making Him Lord of our life, and giving our cares over to God. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Luke: 6:46 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4: 7 NIV

An Etymology of "Yield"

The background to the old English word for yield comes from the word gold, and the implication was to pay over or give over what you have, or show an attitude of servitude, sacrifice or worship. The Greek word the Apostle Paul used (paristemi) in Romans 6:13 (yield) and 12:1 (present, offer) was rarely used in the New Testament but was commonly used in the ancient Greek world. It was used to mean to “give over” or “bring over” for the emperor or person of power to show worship or homage. This makes perfect sense in Romans 12:1 when he states to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.”

As we study God’s Word learning more about God Himself, we must apply it to our lives. We do that by yielding, presenting ourselves completely to Him. He is mighty and majestic and yet loving with a longing for a personal living relationship with each of us.

Yield to God as you discover more about Him and  His desire for you from your careful study in the Bible. Apply what you learn daily. He is worthy of all our trust and everything we have to offer.

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This post is fifty-fifth in a series as a Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next: Conclusion
Previous post: Find the Application: God Matters
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Reflect:

1. What is an example of yielding of something or to someone. What might it look like in your life to yield to God?

2. Reflect and pray about an area in your life that you need to give over to God.

IBS-55 Find the Application: God Matters

Big Idea: Getting to know God via the Bible matters in your life today.

God Matters

A great resource for life and marriage called the Five Love Languages (author Gary Chapman) explains ways people give and receive love. If my husband is having a bad day, getting him a cup of coffee or offering to do something on his to-do list is immensely appreciated. I learned that “Acts of Service” is his love language. It is useful. It can change an entire relationship by understanding what speaks to someone’s heart. Knowing God can be a bit like that. Knowing what delights and pleases Him strengthens our relationship with Him.

Growing in our knowledge of God shows us how to live better (2 Peter 1:2). The Bible is our primary source. In serious Bible study the first question should be, “What does this tell me about God?” followed by “How does this matter in my life?”

Treasure my commands…Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 4: 1b, 5 NLT

We as Christians look forward to living forever with God. Nevertheless His help in our daily life makes all the difference in this life; His presence, His comfort, His wisdom and guidance in darkness and confusion.

A few specific examples

God’s love: “We love because He loved us first.” (I John 4:19 NLT).  How does His love impact life today? Are you feeling down on yourself? Alone? Does a family member or close friend need to be reminded of His love? Could this help you love someone unlovable in your life?

God’s faithfulness: “I will never fail you. I will not abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). Do you feel abandoned by everyone? Walking through a rough valley? Going to a dreaded meeting today where you really need His help?

God’s holiness: “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4: 24 NLT). Do you focus on God’s holiness or treat it lightly? Examine yourself. Do the right thing today. Confess what is not right in your life. Let Him guide you in being a better person to those around you. 

These are a couple of examples of observing God in the Bible, asking how it matters today. Ask yourself how it guides the way you interact with others. Ask how it strengthens your core being today.

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT

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This post is fifty-fifth in a series as a Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next: Find the Application: Yield
Previous post: Find the Application: Get to know God
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Reflect:

1. Are you intentional to study and apply the Bible specifically looking at God? Is there something fresh you examined about God recently?

2. Do you ever think about how God impacts your daily life? How might you have done this in the past? What can you do to think intentionally of God in your life today?

IBS-54 Find the Application: Get to know God

Big Idea: Studying the Bible we can get to know God better like getting to know another person.

Get to Know God

How do you get to know God? The best source is to study the Bible. In my inductive studies I read a Bible passage highlighting God with yellow; often differentiating Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you study a passage, noting God is a good place to begin. It is also a great way to quickly see where God shows up and what it tells us about Him.

Think God

A sermon I heard recently asked some powerful questions about God.

• How often do you think of God? Is He the first thing you think of?
• When you go to God what picture do you have of Him?
• What do you think when you start to pray?
• What do you expect of God?
• What do you know of God?

Think God. Get used to Him being in your thoughts. Ask what a Bible passage shows you. Some places in the Bible God is not obvious, such as in the book of Esther, or tabernacle instructions in the book of Leviticus. It is important to know that every book is in the Bible for a reason, and God is behind that reason. Where is His influence evident?

 

Getting to know someone

Getting to know someone means talking with them and asking questions. Find out their likes and dislikes, their hopes, dreams and fears. What is the essence of their character? What makes them happy, sad or angry? How do they interact in relationships and in community? What is their reason for being? Their work ethic?

Think of getting to know God like that through the Word. Does God have likes and dislikes? The Bible shows what pleases Him and what doesn’t please Him. He has hopes and dreams. He has plans, always looking at the future with an eternal perspective. He is a relational God who delights in people and He delights interacting as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He expresses happiness, sadness and anger through the Bible. As we spend time in the Word we learn more and more who God is.

A single passage may show you just one aspect of His character. Ask yourself these questions as you study:

• What is His character? What traits are revealed?
• What do I learn about His nature? About the Trinity?
• Does God’s personality show through? Does He reveal happiness, sadness, or anger?
• Does it show God, or does it tell you something about Him?
• What are His plans? What does He think of my plans?

Getting to know God, like with people, takes quality time. Give Him that honor.

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This post is fifty-fourth in a series as a Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next: Find the Application: Yield
Previous post: Find the Application: God Illuminated
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Reflect:

1. How often do you think about God in a day? Do you think of Him first when you are troubled? When you are hopeful?

2. Have you ever felt that excitement and ease with God like the song states “Getting to know you”? Are you in the Word? Are you learning new things about Him day by day?