| For the average reader we are going to be exploring | | | | perform this feat in you. |
| things that may indeed be new to you but for the | | | | So being humble and teachable are 2 of the most |
| more advanced reader these things may have been in | | | | important things to have nailed down before you get |
| your "quiver" of how to study the bible techniques but | | | | into a bible study with it is for yourself or with others. |
| perhaps this can give you the opportunity to enhance | | | | Some of the tools you might be using as we cover |
| and polish the skills the Lord has already blessed you | | | | some of the words in the text is something like the |
| with. We are going to briefly cover the 7 steps that I | | | | bible marking pen. Another FREE TOOL I like to use is |
| feel are the most important when approaching bible | | | | a software program called E-sword. This program |
| study. | | | | allows for you to download free bible translations |
| Get ready (preparation): Let us look at Ezra 7:10 for a | | | | (although they have many to purchase as well) and |
| brief moment: "For Ezra had prepared his heart to | | | | many other products from books, to dictionaries, to |
| seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach | | | | commentaries! |
| in Israel statutes and judgments." | | | | Now here are 3 principles that you are going to want |
| Now what are some things that might stand out to | | | | to write down to refer back to because they are |
| you about preparation? Well how about the bible telling | | | | going to be our backbone from here on out. Number |
| us that before Ezra could teach the Word of GOD he | | | | one is observation, and with observation is going to be |
| had to prepare his heart. OK but now what happens | | | | our key to leading into our second principle of bible |
| when Ezra's heart was prepared? What did the Lord | | | | study which is interpretation and last but not least |
| enable him to do? Seek the Law of the Lord right? | | | | application. Now did you notice how we broke done |
| With a humble heart Ezra was able to allow GOD to | | | | the text in Ezra and was able to come to the |
| be at hand and see to it that he was prepared to | | | | conclusions that we did. |
| teach but even before he could teach what did he | | | | Pretty simple right? In our observation we just asked |
| need to do? He needed to respond to the Lord's high | | | | simple questions; why did Ezra have to prepare his |
| calling for him. He had to not just seek the law of the | | | | heart? What did Ezra have to be able to do before he |
| Lord but to DO IT! By Ezra fulfilling what Paul calls us | | | | could teach the Word? These observations led us to |
| to perform which is in Rom 12:1 I beseech you | | | | interpret Ezra preparing his heart for the purpose of |
| therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye | | | | being able to do the Law or responded to God's word |
| present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable | | | | and hence apply it to his life to then be able to turn |
| unto God, which is your reasonable service. | | | | around and repeat the process to others. Now that |
| Again if you didn't catch that God is calling us to | | | | my friends is gospel work! For next time we will look |
| repentance he is calling us to be living sacrifices holy | | | | more in-depth to these three principles but until then |
| and blameless and guess what? Only Jesus can | | | | God bless you and happy studies! |