Week 07

Practical Application – Studying the Bible Together

Introduction Statement:

This week, we are putting into practice everything we’ve learned so far by studying a passage together using a combination of tools. We’ll use concordances, commentaries, dictionaries, and The Essential Bible Companion to gain a deeper understanding of the text. The goal is to see how these resources work together to help us grow in our understanding of Scripture.

Key Takeaways:

• Concordances help us find where key words are used throughout the Bible, giving us a broader understanding of a theme or concept.

• Commentaries provide scholarly insight and interpretation of biblical passages.

• Bible Dictionaries/Encyclopedias offer definitions and historical context for key biblical terms and events.

• The Essential Bible Companion provides an overview of each book of the Bible, including its structure, key themes, and people.

• Studying Scripture with multiple tools helps us gain a richer and more holistic understanding of God’s Word.

Scripture References:

• Romans 8:1-11 – Focus on life in the Spirit and the contrast between living according to the flesh versus living according to the Spirit.

Questions for Discussion:

1. How did using a concordance, commentary, or dictionary help you understand the passage more deeply?

2. Which tool did you find most helpful in understanding the key themes of the passage?

3. How can you integrate the use of these tools into your regular Bible study routine?

Homework:

Choose a passage from Romans or another book of the Bible and study it using at least two tools from the following: concordance, commentary, Bible dictionary, or The Essential Bible Companion. Reflect on what you learned and how these tools helped you understand the passage more clearly. Be prepared to share your insights next week.