4.7.1 Bible Study by Questions

Some Suggested Prompts For Bible Study By Questions

The things of the spirit of God are spiritually “discerned” says Paul in 1 Cor. 2:14. But the Greek word means literally to question; asking questions as we read God’s word is therefore an appropriate thing for us to be doing.

Bible Study Questions For Any Scripture Passage

- Who wrote/ said it?

- When was it written?

- What does it mean?

- Why was it written / preserved for us?

- How does this scripture relate to its context?

- How does this Scripture compare with others?

                - Is it of similar kind or a parallel account?

                - Are there paradoxes involved?

                - Is there use of the same word?

                - Is there use of the same idea?

                - Are there allusions or quotations? 

Bible Study Questions For Use In Special Contexts

Historical Record

- Does it contain types of shadows? If so, what is the antitype?

- Were the events of this record prophesied earlier?

- What lessons does it teach about:

                God's power

                God's care and mercy

                Human nature

                How we should conduct ourselves. 

A Psalm

- What are the background events which led to its composition?

- How best could it be applied in our worship now?

- Will there be future occasions when it will be fulfilled or become specially relevant to the thoughts or worship of the faithful? 

Parable / metaphor / symbol

- Is it a general or detailed metaphor?

- What connection does it have to other parables / symbols?

- What is the meaning of the symbol? 

Prophecy / vision

- Has the prophecy been fulfilled yet?

- If so, How? And was it fulfilled completely or partially?

- If not, How does it relate to other unfulfilled prophecy and the purpose of God? 

Miracle

- What was the purpose of this miracle?

- What does it teach? 

Letter

- To whom and to what categories of people was it written?

- What were the circumstances and purpose of writing?

- How are the principles being taught applicable today? 

Another form of Bible study by questions is to ask questions like ‘What should Jacob have replied to Rebekah in Gen. 27?’, ‘What should Eve have said to the serpent’?  

Of all the Bible study tips presented in the previous chapter, the idea of Bible study by questions is perhaps the most useful when it comes to organizing a Bible study amongst a group of believers who have only recently been baptized. Decide what chapter or character you are going to analyze, draw up a list of questions, and then between yourselves try to find the answers. This avoids the embarrassment of someone having to lead the study when he may feel unqualified to do so. It is also often the case that there is one mature brother in a group of newly baptized brethren and sisters. Because he may have been studying the word more years than they have been born, ecclesial meetings tend to become sessions of listening to his expositions. Whilst there may be no harm in this in some ways, the end result can easily be that the new converts do not study the word for themselves. A way out can be that the mature brother or pastor prepares a list of Bible study questions which are studied in advance by the group, and discussion of them forms the basis for the Bible study. There are some examples of Bible study by questions in the next section.