Welcome to the Book Background Method: (Peter Rhebergen):
This Bible study method, accompanied by resources, will allow you to do a Bible study in your
own way. It is an example of some of the most effective Bible study methods found and discussed
more fully in the following book, which is unfortunately now out of print:
Warren, Richard, with William A. Shell, 12 Dynamic Bible Study Methods,
Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1987.
All the material that follows has been taken exclusively from this book and summarized for
this course. I had the privilege of studying this material under William (Bill) Shell in a class
on Biblical Interpretation at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1988 – 1989
and found both him and his teaching very beneficial as his heart was dedicated to the equipping
of the saints. If there is any copyright infringement I am solely to blame and plead the excuse
that this material is simply too valuable not to share with others.
In each method described here, a basic outline of the method will be given and some useful
tools for this method will be listed. The studies begin with the basic method types and progress
toward studies that are more in depth and require greater allocations of time but which will also
yield greater results. Each method of Bible study presented here is accompanied by a chart, which
has been reproduced from the above book.
-- Peter Rhebergen
8.1 - Tools
8.1.1 - Bible dictionary and / or bible encyclopedia
8.1.2 - Bible handbook
8.1.3 - Bible atlas
8.1.4 - Various tools that allow you to experience in your time the environment
of the Biblical cultures
8.2 - Steps
Step 1 - Choose the subject or book of the Bible.
Step 2 - List your reference tools so that at the end of the study you can see
which were of the greatest help in your study.
Step 3 - Discover what you are able of the following:
8.2.3.1 - Who is the writer of the book?
8.2.3.2 - What is the date of the book?
8.2.3.3 - Where was the book written?
8.2.3.4 - For whom was the book written?
8.2.3.5 - Why was the book written?
8.2.3.6 - How does the book fit into the Bible overall? In addition, what light
can be shed on the study when the book is evaluated in the following contexts:
Geographical setting?
Historical events, prior, occurring, or expected?
Culture of the day?
Political situation?
Anticipation of coming events or personage(s)?
Step 4 - Summarize your research.
Step 5 - Write out your personal application.
Step 5 - Assess your application in the weeks that follow for success or failure.
Chart for the Word Study Method of Bible study
1. Subject: |
2a. Reference Works Used:
|
2b. Usefulness:
|
3. Context / Background Information:
|
4. Insights:
|
5. Application / Evaluation:
|
Peter Rhebergen, was raised in a Christian home and currently
attends Westney Heights Baptist Church with his family. He is a volunteer in several of its
ministries and has served as assistant pastor, youth leader, adult Sunday School teacher and as
pulpit supply at various churches and Bible Camps in Southern Ontario. He has been married since
1989 and together with his wife has three wonderful children who have introduced them to horses,
hermit crabs and numerous other creatures they would not otherwise have met. He is an avid
photographer and poet and has held a life-long interest in astronomy thanks to Psalm 19 and an
uncle. You can visit's Peters website at
www.EachNewDay.com.
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