Chapter 2: Methods of Bible study

There are many methods of Bible study, for the Bible is a wide ocean.

No matter how deeply we delve into it we can grasp only a little. There is no doubt that there are highly specialized methods of Bible study, but we will deal here only with the methods that suit us as beginners.

The practical Method:

This is the most important method, and it is convenient for both the educated and the simple - minded. We simply read the Bible, understand God's commandments mentioned in it, and ask God to give us the grace to fulfill these commandments. For example, when I read the verse: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone" (Matthew 18: 15) , I hurry to my friend who has sinned against me and tell him his fault with love, winning him over once more. On reading the verse: "Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation" (Matthew 26: 41) , I actually organize my life and start to be regular in praying honestly so as not to enter into temptation. When I hear the Lord say: "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5: 28) , I ask Him with tears to purify my look so that it would be sacred... and so on.

The practical method is the method that our forefathers used at the time when the Bible was not yet printed and the manuscripts were very few, but through their obedience to the commandments they became saints. They even became living Bibles, moving among people and winning many to Christ. Saint Anthony, on hearing the deacon read one verse at church went and sold everything he had and followed Christ, and consequently he became a blessing to the whole world and to a all generations.

The Contemplative Method:

This method is important and satisfying. In this method, one reads some verses and repeats them to oneself calmly and deeply. Then one starts to talk to God through these verses, expressing one's thankfulness if they happen to speak about God's work with us, humility if they convict him for his sins, or his joy in the Lord if they explain to him God's love for the human soul, as in the case of the song of songs... etc.

For example, when one reads the following verse: "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119: 97). , One starts to tell God:

You are worthy, O Lord, to be loved because you redeemed me and prepared for me a precious salvation and a happy eternity yet, I am poor because my love for the world, the flesh and for people many times deprive me of you. When would you be loved even to the depths? When would your name be my meditation all day? When would I always say the prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Lord Jesus Christ, help me. Lord Jesus Christ, I praise thee!".

Thus, the soul is nourished by the words of the Bible. Words turn into prayers and prayers turn into satisfaction and power.

The Analytical Method:

This method also is important because when we read the word of God without understanding, it becomes less useful to us, whereas when we understand it and study it deeply it is easy to be satisfied and full with it. In this method, we study the passage in question with depth and analysis. For example, one might read the Epistle to the Romans without understanding what is meant by it because it is necessary to study an introduction to this Epistle talking about the purpose, the subject and the divisions of the Epistle, as well as its main ideas, and thus, one would start to understand. Then, one can go deeper in his studies by reading a book that explains this Epistle, followed by different looks on the same Epistle, and so on. This is an analytical study of the Epistle, of a theme or a character in it. This way, one goes deep in the study of the satisfying word of God.

The Fathers and commentators have written millions of pages explaining the Holy Bible, and the door is still open for hard workers.

These three methods are complementary to one another. Thus, it is advisable to apply them in our lives in the following way.

Every morning, read one chapter from the old Testament and meditate on it, using it in talking to God (the contemplative method). Then, pick up a specific commandment and try to apply it throughout the whole day (the practical method).

In the evening, read a number of chapters of the Bible, or read some commentaries so as to develop a profound idea of the Holy Bible gradually (the analytical method).