Introduction to the Word Bible Study Method
Studying the Bible can feel overwhelming sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be with the Word Bible Study Method. If you’ve ever come across a word in Scripture and thought, What exactly does that mean?, then the Word Bible Study Method is perfect for you. This method helps you dive deeper into the meaning of key words in the Bible, giving you a clearer understanding of what God is communicating through His Word.
The best part? You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to do it! With a few simple tools and some curiosity, you can unlock deeper insights and apply them to your daily life. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, using examples and easy-to-follow instructions. Let’s get started!
You can download and print out our Word Bible Study Worksheet
What is the Word Bible Study Method?
The Word Bible Study Method is a simple, yet powerful, way to dig deeper into the meaning of Scripture by focusing on key words in a passage. Instead of just reading through the Bible, this method encourages you to slow down and explore the meaning of specific words that are central to understanding a verse or passage.
It works like this: you pick a word that stands out, then look up its meaning in the original Hebrew or Greek (don’t worry, tools make this part easy!). This process helps you uncover the rich layers of meaning behind the words that are often lost in translation. By doing a word study, you gain insight into the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance of the text, leading to a deeper and more personal understanding of God’s Word.
Whether you’re trying to grasp what “grace” really means or why “faith” is so important, the Word Bible Study Method gives you a practical approach to exploring Scripture one word at a time. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of the Bible in a more focused and meaningful way.
Why Use the Word Bible Study Method?
The Word Bible Study Method is a fantastic way to dig deeper into Scripture, but why should you use it? Here are a few key reasons:
- Discover Deeper Meanings: When you focus on a specific word, especially by looking at its original Hebrew or Greek meaning, you often find richer, more profound insights. Sometimes, the full meaning of a word gets lost in translation, but studying the original language can reveal layers of understanding you might miss otherwise.
- Gain Cultural and Historical Context: Words often have different meanings depending on the time and culture in which they were written. By studying the words used in Scripture, you can better understand the cultural and historical context, which helps make sense of certain passages in ways that a surface reading might not.
- Personal Spiritual Growth: Focusing on key words helps you connect personally with God’s message. When you grasp the full meaning of words like “faith,” “grace,” or “love,” you’re more equipped to apply them to your daily life. It’s a practical way to strengthen your faith and see how God’s Word speaks to your current situation.
- Better Bible Study Skills: The Word Bible Study Method isn’t just about learning one word—it helps you develop overall Bible study skills. As you practice, you’ll become more confident in your ability to dig into Scripture, find key words, and understand their significance.
Whether you’re new to studying the Bible or have been doing it for years, this method offers a fresh way to explore Scripture, making it more engaging and meaningful!
Tools You Need for the Word Bible Study Method
You don’t need a lot of fancy tools to get started with the Word Bible Study Method. In fact, you can keep it pretty simple. Here are the essentials you’ll want to have on hand:
- A Bible (Multiple Translations)
- It’s helpful to have a couple of translations, like KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or NLT, to compare how different versions handle key words.
- Concordance
- A concordance helps you find where specific words appear throughout the Bible. A great free option is Strong’s Concordance, available in most Bible apps or online.
- Bible Dictionary
- A Bible dictionary provides definitions and background information on key terms. This can help you understand the word’s meaning in its biblical context.
- Bible Study Apps
- Apps like Blue Letter Bible or Bible Gateway make word studies easy by offering quick access to translations, concordances, and cross-references.
- Notebook or Journal
- Keep a notebook handy to write down your thoughts, discoveries, and applications from your word study.
Other Tools You Might Consider:
- Lexicon: For in-depth word meanings in the original Hebrew or Greek (many apps include this feature).
- Commentaries: Get insights from Bible scholars on the passage or word you’re studying. Many free commentaries are available online.
- Cross-Reference Tools: These help you find other verses where the same word or theme is used.
- Online Bible Tools: Websites like BibleHub or Logos offer a wealth of resources for digging deeper.
These tools will help make your word study effective, and many of them are free or easy to access online!
Steps to Follow the Word Bible Study Method
Ready to dive in? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to follow the Word Bible Study Method. This process will help you get the most out of your study, one word at a time.
1: Choose a Passage or Verse
Start by selecting a passage of Scripture that stands out to you or that you want to understand better. It can be a single verse or a few connected verses.
Practical Tip: Pick a familiar verse to begin with, like John 3:16 or Psalm 23, so you can focus more on the word study.
2: Identify Key Words
Look for significant words that stand out or seem important in the passage. These are often words that carry a lot of meaning or are repeated throughout the Bible.
Example: In John 3:16, you might focus on words like “believe,” “eternal,” and “world.”
3: Research the Original Language
This is where the tools come in handy. Use a concordance or a Bible study app to look up the word in its original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament). Check the definition and see how it’s used in other parts of the Bible.
Practical Example: The word “believe” in John 3:16 (Greek: pisteuo) means more than just mental agreement—it implies trust and commitment.
4: Look at Cross-References
Use cross-references to find where the word is used elsewhere in Scripture. This can help you see patterns, themes, or other important teachings related to that word.
Example: For the word “believe,” cross-references like Romans 10:9 and Acts 16:31 show how essential belief is for salvation.
5: Read Commentaries for Insight
Commentaries can give you deeper insight into how scholars and theologians understand the word in the context of the passage. This helps round out your study by adding historical, cultural, or theological perspectives.
6: Summarize What You’ve Learned
Take a moment to summarize your findings. Write down what the word means, its significance in the passage, and how it helps you better understand the overall message.
7: Apply It to Your Life
Finally, reflect on how this deeper understanding of the word applies to your life. What is God teaching you through this word study? How can you put this insight into practice today?
Example: After studying the word “believe,” you may realize that belief involves trusting God with your whole heart, not just mentally agreeing with His truth.
By following these steps, you’ll gain a richer, more in-depth understanding of the words in Scripture, which leads to greater spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God’s Word.
Practical Example of the Word Study Method – 1: Studying the Word “Grace” in Ephesians 2:8-9
Let’s walk through the Word Bible Study Method using a practical example: studying the word “grace” in Ephesians 2:8-9.
Verse:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
1: Choose the Passage
We’ve selected Ephesians 2:8-9, a well-known passage about salvation.
2: Identify Key Words
In this verse, the word grace stands out as a key term central to understanding salvation.
3: Research the Original Language
Using a concordance or Bible app, look up the word “grace” in the original Greek. The Greek word for grace is charis, which means “favor,” “kindness,” or “unearned blessing.” This deeper meaning shows that grace is something given freely, not something we earn.
4: Look at Cross-References
Now, find other places where grace appears in the Bible. Romans 3:24 and Titus 2:11 are great cross-references that also talk about grace in relation to salvation, reinforcing the idea that it’s a free gift from God, not something we can work for.
5: Read Commentaries for Insight
Check a commentary for further insight. For example, Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains that Paul uses the word grace to emphasize that our salvation is entirely a work of God’s kindness and not based on any merit of our own.
6: Summarize What You’ve Learned
After looking up the meaning of grace, reading cross-references, and checking a commentary, we see that grace refers to the unearned favor that God gives us, making salvation possible. It’s a free gift, completely apart from our own efforts.
7: Apply It to Your Life
How does this change your understanding of salvation? Knowing that grace is a free gift can shift your perspective from trying to “earn” God’s favor to simply receiving His kindness with gratitude. You might reflect on how this applies to how you view God’s love and your relationship with Him.
This practical example shows how studying just one word like grace can give you a deeper understanding of the gospel and how God’s favor operates in our lives. Now, try it for yourself with a different word!
Practical Example 2 of the Word Study Method: Studying the Word “Love” in 1 Corinthians 13
Let’s use the Word Bible Study Method on the word love in 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Love Chapter.”
Verse:
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NASB)
1: Choose the Passage
We’ve chosen 1 Corinthians 13:4, a key verse describing how love should be demonstrated in action.
2: Identify Key Words
The word love appears multiple times in this verse, making it the central focus. Understanding this word can unlock the entire meaning of the passage.
3: Research the Original Language
Using a concordance or Bible study tool, look up the word “love” in the original Greek. The Greek word here is agape. This form of love is different from others like eros (romantic love) or philia (friendship love). Agape refers to a selfless, sacrificial love that reflects God’s nature and is not dependent on feelings.
4: Look at Cross-References
Look for other verses where agape love is used in the Bible. Cross-referencing John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world…”) and 1 John 4:8 (“The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love”) reveals that agape love is divine, unconditional, and central to God’s character.
5: Read Commentaries for Insight
Reading a commentary on 1 Corinthians 13, such as the one by John MacArthur, emphasizes that agape love is not based on emotion, but on selfless action. It’s the kind of love God shows us and commands us to demonstrate in our relationships—patient, kind, and enduring even in difficult circumstances.
6: Summarize What You’ve Learned
After studying agape, we understand that this love is self-sacrificing and unconditional. It’s not about personal gain or emotion, but about giving and serving others, as God loves us. This understanding deepens our view of love and challenges us to reflect this divine love in all areas of our lives.
7: Apply It to Your Life
How can you apply this understanding of agape love? Reflect on how you can show this selfless love in your relationships. Whether it’s being patient with family or kind to a stranger, practicing agape means loving others without expecting anything in return. This deeper understanding can transform how you live out God’s love daily.
This practical example shows how focusing on one word like love (agape) can enrich your understanding of the Bible and help you apply its principles to your life. Now you can try this method with other key words and experience even more growth in your study of Scripture!
Tips for a Successful Word Study
Now that you know the steps to follow the Word Bible Study Method, here are some helpful tips to make your study even more fruitful and enjoyable:
1. Start Small and Stay Focused
- Don’t feel like you need to study multiple words at once. Start with one key word from a passage and focus on it. This keeps your study manageable and allows you to dive deeper.
2. Use Reliable Tools
- Choose trusted resources like Strong’s Concordance, Bible dictionaries, and commentaries. Many apps, like Blue Letter Bible or Logos, combine these tools into one place, making your study easier and more organized.
3. Write Down Your Insights
- Keep a notebook or digital journal where you can write down key insights, observations, and applications. This not only helps you process what you’ve learned but also allows you to reflect on it later.
4. Take Your Time
- Word studies can take time, especially when diving into the original language and context. Be patient with the process. Sometimes, a deeper understanding of a word comes after sitting with it for a while.
5. Pray for Understanding
- Before starting your word study, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Ask for wisdom and clarity as you study God’s Word. This makes the study not just an intellectual exercise but a spiritual one.
6. Share What You’ve Learned
- One of the best ways to retain what you’ve learned is by teaching or sharing it with others. Whether in a small group, a blog post, or with a friend, talking about your discoveries helps reinforce them.
7. Apply It to Your Life
- Don’t let the study stop at learning definitions. Reflect on how the deeper meaning of a word challenges or encourages you to grow in your relationship with God and others. Let the word transform your daily walk with Christ.
These tips will help you get the most out of your word study. As you practice this method, you’ll find that the Bible comes alive in new ways, offering deeper insights into God’s truth. Keep exploring and let God’s Word continue to guide your spiritual journey!
Conclusion
The Word Bible Study Method is a simple yet powerful way to dig deeper into Scripture, unlocking insights that might otherwise be overlooked. By focusing on key words, researching their original meanings, and applying what you learn to your life, you can experience a richer, more meaningful connection to God’s Word.
Whether you’re a seasoned Bible reader or just getting started, this method allows you to take your study to the next level—helping you not only understand the text but live it out. Remember to start small, use the right tools, and most importantly, apply what you learn in your daily walk with Christ.
Now that you know the steps, grab your Bible, pick a word, and start exploring. God’s Word is full of treasures waiting to be uncovered, one word at a time! Happy studying!
Worksheet: https://discipleblueprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Word-Bible-Study-Worksheet.pdf
Other Bible Study Methods from Disciple Blueprint:
- ACTS Prayer Method – https://discipleblueprint.com/acts-prayer-method/
- Inductive Bible Study Method – https://discipleblueprint.com/inductive-bible-study/
- Thematic Bible Study Method – https://discipleblueprint.com/thematic-bible-study-met/
Online Tools from this Blog:
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