This Bible Study Methods course is designed to provide a practical guide and exercises to enable the student of the Bible to be able to read the Bible more intelligently, to research basic questions about the Bible, to understand the basic principles of interpretation of Scripture with a view toward applying the Bible more consistently in their life.
That the student can learn how to read the Bible intelligently for themselves, how to use basic study tools to investigate and research basic issues in the Bible, how to properly interpret the Bible. I want to develop students who are well on their way to biblical literacy and who are cultivating good habits of Bible reading and personal Bible study.
The student will come to learn the basic method of Bible study based on observation-interpretation, correlation, and application method of Bible study.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Introduction to Bible Study Methods
An overview of the course. Why study the Bible? The importance of the Bible.
Hendricks, Living By the Book, chapters 1-4
deanbibleministries.org
chafer.edu
For the non-professional Bible student this will greatly enhance what you get out of Bible class. The believer who is not a teacher of the Word will always need to heavily rely upon their pastor-teacher for in depth study of the Word, but with a basic understanding of Bible study methods, everyone can learn to “pan for gold” more effectively, while relying on the pastor-teachers to be the mining engineers who take them to the “mother-lodes” of biblical teaching.
For the bible college or seminary student, this course will introduce you to basic bible study methods and tools which will then become the foundation for developing exegetical skills as your studies continue.
For Sunday school teachers, CEF teachers, camp directors and counselors, and parents who want to teach their children the Bible.
This course is available for class credit from Chafer Theological Seminary. Please visit the Chafer website at chafer.edu for additional information.
About Dr. Robert L. Dean Jr.
Before coming to West Houston Bible Church, Dr. Dean was the Pastor of Preston City Bible Church in Preston, Connecticut. Prior to that he had served churches in both the Dallas and Houston, Texas areas and has over 35 years of pastoral experience.
Dr. Dean is a much sought after Bible teacher both in the United States and overseas. He serves on the adjunct faculty of Faith Evangelical Seminary and is the Chairman of the Governing Board for Chafer Theological Seminary.
Dr. Dean trained for the ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned a Th.M. in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies and later returned to pursue a Ph.D. in theological studies with an emphasis in Historical Theology. He also earned an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas (1987) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Faith Evangelical Seminary (2002). In 1988 he was recognized as an Outstanding Young Man of America, and in 1989 was listed in the Who’s Who in American Christian Leadership .
His academic training in Greek, Hebrew, theology, philosophy, and history enables him to study the Bible in the original languages and show how these eternal truths are as vital today as always.
Resources For Bible Study Bibles
Ryrie Study Bible, available in KJV, NASB, and NKJV
Scofield Reference Bible, KJV
New International Version Study Bible
Biblical Overview
John R. Cross, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, Goodseed Publications: Roach, MO, 1998. This is a highly readable, very understandable overview of the Bible. I strong recommend it.
Reference Books
Halley’s Bible Handbook
The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands
New Unger’s Bible Handbook, Moody Press
New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody Press
Merril Tenney, ed., The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible
Walter Elwell, ed., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
Word Study Books
W.E Vines, An Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible (for KJV)
A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Concise Edition **
Doctrine and Theology
J. Dwight Pentecost, Things That Become Sound Doctrine
Charles Ryrie, A Survey of Bible Doctrine, and Basic Doctrine
Joseph Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings
Commentaries
Walvoord and Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary
J. Dwight Pentecost, Words and Works of Jesus Christ
Other Resources
Mortimer Adler, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
**An excellent place to order books at a discount: Christian Book Distributors, P.O. Box 7000, Peabody, MA 01961, on line at www.christianbook.com, 978-977-5000.