Living by the Book, Part 2
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Recap of Key Points from Previous Day
- Why people do not study the Scripture
- Why it is essential to study the Word of God
- Three primary reasons for personal Bible study:
- Spiritual growth
- Promoting maturity
- Equipping for service
Definition and Importance of Method in Bible Study
- Defining Method
- Method is methodicalness: following specific steps in order
- Importance of a systematic approach
- Method involves observation, interpretation, and application
- Emphasis on becoming receptive and reproductive
Steps of Bible Study
- Observation
- Importance of seeing what is in the text
- Example from Psalm 119:18 ("Open thou mine eyes")
- Key elements to observe:
- Terms (words and their meanings)
- Structure (relation and interrelation of terms)
- Literary form (poetry, narrative, prophecy, etc.)
- Atmosphere (context and emotional tone)
- Interpretation
- Begins with understanding what the text says
- Involves bombarding the text with questions
- Six key questions for interpretation:
- Who? (People involved)
- What? (Events and actions)
- Where? (Location)
- When? (Timing)
- Why? (Purpose and reason)
- Wherefore? (Application and significance)
Application of the Method
- Example Assignment
- Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus calms the storm)
- Encouragement to practice observation and interpretation on this passage
Personal Anecdote
- Story from an American Airlines Flight
- Encounter with a new Christian who wanted to learn Bible study
- Demonstrated the six-question method using a sickness bag as paper
Encouragement and Challenge
- Encouragement to Apply the Method
- Urging the audience to teach others, especially younger Christians
- Emphasizing the importance of personal Bible study for spiritual growth and impact
Conclusion
- Closing Prayer
- Asking for forgiveness for neglecting Bible study
- Praying for the ability to teach and inspire others in personal Bible study
- Praising God for His Word and its impact on lives
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors

Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”