Story is one of the best ways to learn spiritual truth. Jesus was a master storyteller. A great example is Mark 4:1-20 and the parable of the sower, seed, and soil. What type of soil are you?

When communicating the Bible, first, make sure the text is observed, explained, and applied. Second, keep the text central. Third, Illustrate any difficult ideas with personal/relevant material.

This is the fourth step of Bible Study: Applying the text. This asks and answers the question: So What? Another word for applying would be “obeying”. In application we need to: Think, Acknowledge, Ask, and Pursue.

Correlation is comparing Scripture with Scripture. This not only gives us broader knowledge of any topic, but it deepens our understanding of the topic. It helps keep us discerning between truth and error. It helps us stay reasoned and balanced in our interpretations.

Every verse and passage of the Bible has a meaning. Interpretation is the process of coming to that understanding. In this sermon we'll talk about 2 questions to ask and 2 hazards to avoid. I'll end by asking 3 questions of you as the interpreter as you set out to discover meaning in the Bible.

The Bible study method of Observation asks and answers the question: What Do I See? It is the most important step of the process. The longer you spend on this step and the more effective you are at it, the more accurate and thorough will be your interpretations and applications. Look for things emphasized, repeated, related, alike, and unalike.

In this sermon we’ll talk about the name, the divisions of the book, the history of the Bible, it's central theme, and the doctrine or theology of the Bible.

The longer I pastor the more I realize how essential it is for you who want to get into studying your Bible on your own to be able to do so. Not a week goes by where I do not put into practice the principles that I’m going to teach you. Not a sermon is prepared without my going through these steps of Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, Application.

To see the resurrected Jesus we need our eyes, mind, and heart. Do you see anything?

The wisdom and self-discipline required to remain faithful day in and day out all the way to the end cannot be found inside of ourselves. But the good news for God’s children is that it is rooted in what Jesus has done and it hopes in what He will do.