Welcome to the Topical 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
Previously you encountered the Thematic Method of Bible
study in which you studied a narrow theme of the Bible in simple detail asking prepared questions
of verses from a chosen list. With the topical study you will study a topic of the Bible, which
may contain several themes, and you will not be asking prepared questions, instead you will be
recording all insights you find from your study. The topical method will usually take longer than
the thematic so you will want to assure yourself that sufficient time is available to at least
make a significant start on the study.
6.1 - Tools
6.1.1 - Bible
6.1.2 - Exhaustive concordance and / or cross references
6.1.3 - Topical Bible
6.2 - Hints (taken from Dr. R. A. Torrey)
6.2.1 - Be systematic by listing all the concepts related to your topic. Study
each idea comprehensively in a systematic and logical order.
6.2.2 - Be thorough by studying every verse that is related to the topic.
6.2.3 - Be exact and try to get the exact meaning for each verse that you are studying.
Remember not to remove the verses from their context but use the context to help you in your study.
6.3 - Steps
Step 1 - Compile a list of words related to the topic you will study
Step 2 - Collect all references relating to each word.
Step 3 - Consider each reference individually.
Step 4 - Compare and group the references.
Step 5 - Condense the results of your study into a brief outline.
Step 6 - Conclude your study.
Chart for the Devotional Method of Bible study
Topic: |
1. List of Words: |
2. Bible References: |
3. Cross References: |
4. Observations (for each verse in 3): |
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5. Condensed Outline:
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6. Conclusion (summary and application):
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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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