Devotional Method
Rick Warren, Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006).Date:
Passage with translation(s):
How selected[i]i:
Customized Passage Guide:
Related User Studies:
STEP ONE: Pray for Insight on How to Apply the Passage:
[STEP ADDED] Read Text
Tips for reading
· Read text multiple times
· Read text in a Bible without any notes
· Read text without stopping
· Read text in several contemporary translations
· Read the text out-loud
Text (optional):
Notes on translation differences:
Look up unfamiliar words:
Word / Definition
List any difficulties in understanding:
Literal meaning paraphrase[ii]:
STEP TWO: Meditate on the Verse(s) You Have Chosen to Study:[iii]
1. Visualize the scene of the narrative in your mind[iv]i:
2. Emphasize words in the passage under study[v]i:
3. Paraphrase the passage under study:
4. Personalize the passage you are studying[vi]i:
5. S-P-A-C-E-P-E-T-S:
Sin to confess?i[vii]
Promise to claim?[viii]i
Attitude to change?[ix]i
Command to obey?[x] i
Example to follow?[xi]i
Prayer to pray?[xii]i
Error to avoid?[xiii]i
Truth to believe?[xiv]i
Something to praise God for?i[xv]
6. Pray the verse or passage back to God
STEP THREE: Write out an application:[xvi]
STEP FOUR: Memorize a Key Verse from Your Study:
Selected verse:
[STEP ADDED} P-R-A-Y
· P—Praise the Lord
· R—Repent of your sins
· A—Ask for yourself and others
· Y—Yield yourself to God’s will
Logos 4 hints:
- Logos layout: For the student, a two pane layout with a Bible text and an Information pane (Tools à Lookup) is an appropriate layout.
1.1. Highlighting a word will cause the definition to appear in the Information pane. Double clicking on a word will cause the definition to open in the main pane.
1.2. Some may wish to have a second pane with Rick Warren’s book. I have shown it as a tab in the same pane. Note that clicking on an instructions link in the template will automatically open Rick Warren’s book, if it is not already open.
1.3. Use the Parallel Resource icon to access additional translations.
- Screen layout: Open MS Word beside Logos 4 so that one can study in Logos 4 and record your observations in MS Word. [Note I would prefer that one could update the template within Logos 4.]
2.1. The MS Word template is filled in with the assumption that it will be compiled as a Personal Book in Logos 4. The layout of the template has been tested and modified to ensure that it converts accurately.
2.2. Copy and paste a new copy of the template to be the working copy. This way you’ll have a clean copy of the template for each study.
- Complete the form as follows. Material in square brackets indicate how I would like it to work if we could update the Logos Personal Book directly.
3.1. Heading box.
3.1.1. Enter date.
3.1.2. Enter the scriptural citation followed by the standard abbreviations for the Bible translations you are using. [Ideally a citation in the format of Gen 1:1-5 NRSV, JPS, NAB, CEV would show each of the four translations on mouse over.]
3.1.3. Fill how selected with a short description as well as a link to the appropriate resource. [Ideally an icon would be added to the appropriate resource indicating the existence of the template study. This would parallel notes in appearance and behavior. The user could select either Selection or Reference mode for Bible passages.] Examples include:
3.1.3.1. Pericope as marked in Bible
T
3.1.3.2. Pericope as given in a lectionary. In this example 2 Cor 8:7-15 is the chosen passage. Note that a lectionary often edits lections for length resulting in non-contiguous passages. For study purposes one often wishes to change these to contiguous.
3.1.3.3. Selection from a Bible study aid e.g. Life Lessons: Book of 1 Corinthians, Max Lucado, general editor.
3.1.3.4. Selection from an outline e.g. Acts 2:16-21 from the Hermeneia series Acts: a Commentary by Richard I. Pervo.
3.1.3.5. Use rhetorical forms such as inclusion or chiasm to identify pericope e.g. Matthew 7:7-11 which is bounded by an inclusion. See: Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the First Gospel by David E. Garland.
3.1.4. Customized Passage Guide does not apply in this template.
3.1.5. Related User Studies. Enter titles and URL’s for any resources, commonly user created, that you wish to link to this study.
3.2. STEP ONE: Pray. Enter a check mark when completed (optional).
3.3. STEP ADDED: Read text.
3.3.1. Tips for reading. Check off items as they are completed (optional).
3.3.2. Text. Optional copy the text of the passage into the form. This gives you a copy to mark up as well as making the form sufficient unto itself for group Bible study.
3.3.3. Notes on translation differences. Enter the significant differences that you observed between the various translations.
3.3.4. Unfamiliar words. Enter unfamiliar words and their definitions. The layout of Bible and Information is intended to make this very easy for a new user of Logos.
3.3.5. Difficulties in understanding. If the passage is difficult to understand, enter the problems you’ve encountered here. The intent is to either ask assistance in small group sessions or to come back to the questions when you have more experience and/or knowledge. [A way to collect open questions across all user studies would be a helpful feature.]
3.3.6. Paraphrase the literal meaning. Omit as Step two Part three is a paraphrase.
3.4. STEP TWO: Meditate on the Verse(s). The links to Rick Warren’s book provide the instructions. [Note that the URL’s generated by Logos are approximate not precise. It would be nice to link more precisely.]
3.5. STEP THREE: Write an application. The link to Rick Warren’s book provides instructions.
3.6. STEP FOUR: Memorize a key verse: enter text and citation.
3.7. STEP ADDED: P-R-A-Y Enter checkmark, written prayer or nothing.
3.8. The left hand column is for any notes you wish to add to the study including notes on further studies you wish to do e.g. word study, character study, etc. inspired by this study.
- Personal Book
4.1. It is useful to create a Personal Book from the template file before doing any studies. Thereafter you can simply save the file and recompile.
- Group leader specific directions
5.1. STEP ADDED: Read Text -- Notes on translation differences. Use of Tools à Passage à Text comparison for translations you know are in use within the group provides additional preparation.
5.2. STEP TWO: Visualize the scene. Visualization is supported by historical, social and cultural resources, Biblical Facts, Media …
5.3. STEP TWO: Paraphrase the passage. It is helpful to read the passage in paraphrase translations to get a sense of “how the professionals do it.”
5.4. STEP THREE: Write out an application. One way to get a sense of possible application is to search a collection of commentaries that consists of commentaries tagged by Morris Proctor as “Application or Devotional”. The Example is from Matthew 7:1-7 in Matthew for Everyone by Tom Wright.
Rick Warren, Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God's Word (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006).
Date:
Passage with translation(s):
How selected[xvii]i:
Customized Passage Guide:
Related User Studies:
[STEP ADDED] Read Text (at least 5 times)
Text (optional):
Tips for reading
· Read text multiple times
· Read text in a Bible without any notes
· Read text without stopping
· Read text in several contemporary translations
· Read the text out-loud
Look up unfamiliar words:
List any difficulties in understanding:
Literal meaning paraphrase:
STEP 1: Caption[xviii]:
STEP TWO: Contents[xix]:
STEP THREE: Chief People[xx]:
STEP FOUR: Choice Verse[xxi]:
STEP FIVE: Crucial Word(s):
STEP SIX: Challenges[xxii]:
STEP SEVEN: Cross-References[xxiii]:
STEP EIGHT: Christ Seen[xxiv]:
STEP NINE: Central Lesson(s)i:
STEP TEN: Conclusion[xxv]:
STEP TEN A: Pray for Insight on How to Apply the Passage:
STEP TEN B: Meditate on the Verse(s) You Have Chosen to Study:[xxvi]
1. Visualize the scene of the narrative in your mind[xxvii]i:
2. Emphasize words in the passage under study[xxviii]i:
3. Paraphrase the passage under study:
4. Personalize the passage you are studying[xxix]i:
5. S-P-A-C-E-P-E-T-S:
Sin to confess?i[xxx]
Promise to claim?[xxxi]i
Attitude to change?[xxxii]i
Command to obey?[xxxiii] i
Example to follow?[xxxiv]i
Prayer to pray?[xxxv]i
Error to avoid?[xxxvi]i
Truth to believe?[xxxvii]i
Something to praise God for?i[xxxviii]
6. Pray the verse or passage back to God
STEP TEN C: Write out an application:[xxxix]
STEP TEN D: Memorize a Key Verse from Your Study:
[STEP ADDED} P-R-A-Y
· P—Praise the Lord
· R—Repent of your sins
· A—Ask for yourself and others
· Y—Yield yourself to God’s will
[i] Describe selection as from a reading plan, lectionary, Bible study program, pericope list, class assignment, personal choice . . . . When possible link to the Logos source.
[ii] This part of the standard form may be omitted in this method.
[iii] Select one or more of the six options provided below
[iv] a. Picture yourself as a participant in the biblical situation,
b. Give attention to the historical context.
c. How would you feel in the situation?
d. What would you say?
[v] Read the passage through several times emphasizing different words.
[vi] Personalize passage by replacing names and pronouns with your own name.
[vii] Do I need to make any restitution?
[viii] Is it a universal promise? Have I met the condition(s)?
[ix] Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building toward a positive one?
[x] Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel?
[xi] Is it a positive example for me to copy, or a negative one to avoid?
[xii] Is there anything I need to pray back to God?
[xiii]Is there any problem that I should be alert to or beware of?
[xiv] What new things can I learn about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or other biblical teachings?
[xv] Is there something here I can be thankful for?
[xvi] Make it personal, practical, possible and provable.
[xvii] Describe selection as from a reading plan, lectionary, Bible study program, pericope list, class assignment, personal choice . . . . When possible link to the Logos source.
[xviii] Use 1-5 words including key word of passage, if any. Make it short, descriptive and catchy.
[xix] Use a method you are comfortable with: description, summary, paraphrase, list of major points, timeline, mind-map, plot diagram (graphic organizer), argument map … to document the contents of the passage. Observe, don't interpret.
[xx] a. Who are the main people?
b. Why are they included?
c. What is significant about them?
[xxi] a. A verse that speaks to you
b. A verse that summarizes the passage
c. A verse that you use for your application
[xxii] a. Elements you don't understand
b. Problem or question to study further
[xxiii] In addition to standard cross-reference lists, Bible harmonies, redactor doublets, references given beneath pericope headings and intertextual studies are appropriate sources for references.
[xxiv] a. Note verses that tell you something about Jesus Christ, the Hold Spirit or God the Father.
b. What did you learn about the nature of Jesus Christ?
c. What attributes of God in Christ are illustrated here?
[xxv] a. How do these truths apply to me personally?
b. What specifically am I going to do about them?
[xxvi] Select one or more of the six options provided below
[xxvii] a. Picture yourself as a participant in the biblical situation,
b. Give attention to the historical context.
c. How would you feel in the situation?
d. What would you say?
[xxviii] Read the passage through several times emphasizing different words.
[xxix] Personalize passage by replacing names and pronouns with your own name.
[xxx] Do I need to make any restitution?
[xxxi] Is it a universal promise? Have I met the condition(s)?
[xxxii] Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building toward a positive one?
[xxxiii] Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel?
[xxxiv] Is it a positive example for me to copy, or a negative one to avoid?
[xxxv] Is there anything I need to pray back to God?
[xxxvi]Is there any problem that I should be alert to or beware of?
[xxxvii] What new things can I learn about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or other biblical teachings?
[xxxviii] Is there something here I can be thankful for?
[xxxix] Make it personal, practical, possible and provable.