How do you Study ?

[Guest]

I know if we take a topic and look up all the texts that pertain to that topic, pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit, and look at that as a whole, we should get the big picture.

I am interested to know how you personally, study on a day to day basis. Your routine study so to speak, of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

I am looking for methods other than my own.

Also, when do you study? etc.

The reason I'm starting this thread is to hopefully get some good ideas and improve my prayer life and study habits.

[Twilight]

Simple process for me:

I claim the merits of Jesus shed blood.

I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I listen for the "still small voice of God".

I seek direction.

I study where I am prompted to study...

Mark

[phkrause]

Richard we usually read from the Bible, this year where doing the NLT, the one year Bible, it does the OT, NT, Psalms, and than Proverbs. Than we read a devotional book, usually 1 or 2 different ones for the year. Than depending if my wife is with us or working (she works 3-11) we read a chapter of a book we've all agreed to read, this year its the Desire of Ages when my wife is home with us. When she is at work my daughter and me read a story from Signs of the times. Sometimes, depending on how many questions we each have, worship can take anywhere from 40 minutes to and hour and a half. We usually have worship around 6 pm each evening.

pk

[Musicman1228]

Great topic, Richard. You've done it again.

I won't do the whole thing for you, but one thing that I do that I see others doing is pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I never pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jesus already did that (John 20:21-23). I do pray for a return of the Holy Spirit to my life if I have done anything that would have driven the Holy Spirit away.

Finally, If I have the least little doubt as to whether what I have learned from my study is from God I will NEVER, EVER claim that it has come from the Holy Spirit. I will find out soon enough whether what I have discovered is true or not. I will not be caught dead (literally) claiming that something coming from the Holy Spirit is true when it is really a lie.

All I will do is point out Scripture that either supports or does not support something I have learned.

[skyblue888]

musicman, one thing you may know and that is that all these things you have said about the apostle Paul cannot have come from the Holy Spirit of God but from another spirit. That you may be sure of.

You need to re-assess your method of studying.

sky

[oldsailor29]

I know if we take a topic and look up all the texts that pertain to that topic, pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit, and look at that as a whole, we should get the big picture.

I am interested to know how you personally, study on a day to day basis. Your routine study so to speak, of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

Richard, Your study method is a very popular one, known as the "systematic method." This is an excellent method, which is why it is so popular. And there is very little chance of this type of study leading to erroneous conclusions, if it is honestly pursued with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I also study in a more exegetical method. My study topics are also determined to some extent by posts I read here. For the past few years, my studies have concentrated on subjects that came to my attention as I was reading the Quotations of Jesus. There I have found the mother lode of precious jewels of significant theological importance.

[teresaq]

I am interested to know how you personally, study on a day to day basis. Your routine study so to speak, of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

I am looking for methods other than my own.

one thing i found myself doing was studying the ot over and over again, but in a systematic fashion. one thing i prayed for was that i would be cleansed of all "tradition", everything i had been taught or picked up that was not in keeping with what the bible actually said/taught.

i read the history over a few times, skipping the begats, laws, until i had that pretty well down. then i added in the begats, reading the history over again several times til i had that down. then added in the laws, etc.

then i started adding in the prophets, first reading each several times, then adding them in to the various time periods.

i cant say where i got the idea from but i have been very grateful for it.

also, there came a point where i read the pp and pk inline with that.

that is one way i have studied.

[skyblue888]

Here is a statement from the pen of one who had learned from Jesus on this topic: "The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given as Scripture is explained by Scripture." 1 S.M.42. Just another way of saying what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:20, that the Scriptures are not subject to any private interpretation. One passage explains another passage. For example compare Luke 17:20 and Romans 14:17. It is the same with the Testimonies of His Spirit. We must compare statement with statement on any given topic. As the Apostle Paul said, spiritual things must be compared with spiritual things. 1 Cor.2:13. As Isaiah said, a little here and and a little there... Isaiah 28:12,13.

I have never used a cd rom to study. Over the years I would simply pick up my Bible or any book from the Testimonies and start reading at random or a particular verse of chapter with an open mind and prayerful attitude, with a sense of my need to be taught by the Holy Spirit, and who can teach like Him!!! This method has truly worked for me. I would often stop and turn to my concordance to look for other passages of Scriptures and would do the same with the Testimonies.

I have also read all of Waggoner and Jones's publications. Great stuff! You should read Jones's first lecture from the 1893 General Conference Bulleting on this topic! Amazing! Inspiring! Enlightening!

sky

[Guest]

Thanks everybody for sharing.

Originally Posted By: Richard Holbrook

I know if we take a topic and look up all the texts that pertain to that topic, pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit, and look at that as a whole, we should get the big picture.

I am interested to know how you personally, study on a day to day basis. Your routine study so to speak, of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

Richard, Your study method is a very popular one, known as the "systematic method." This is an excellent method, which is why it is so popular. And there is very little chance of this type of study leading to erroneous conclusions, if it is honestly pursued with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I also study in a more exegetical method. My study topics are also determined to some extent by posts I read here. For the past few years, my studies have concentrated on subjects that came to my attention as I was reading the Quotations of Jesus. There I have found the mother lode of precious jewels of significant theological importance.

I too find things to study from posts on here.