The goal: To be equipped FOR PROPER STUDY

4 Steps to Study:

#1 Observation: WHAT DOES IT SAY?

#2 Interpretation: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

#3 Correlation: WHAT OTHER VERSES EXPLAIN IT?

#4 Application: WHAT WILL I DO ABOUT IT?

Let’s Try It:

Philippians 2: 19-30 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. ²⁰ For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. ²¹ For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. ²³ I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, ²⁴ and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.²⁵ I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, ²⁶ for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. ²⁹ So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, ³⁰ for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Step 1 = Observation:

Paul speaks of TWO MEN

Paul endorses them AS ROLE MODELS WHO DESERVE HONOR

What CHARACTERISTICS DO WE LEARN?

Step 2 = Interpretation:

The Point: GODLINESS IS TO BE LIVED AND HONORED

5 Marks of a Godly Person:

1. A godly person is CARING
2. A godly person is CONSISTENT
3. A godly person is COOPERATIVE
4. A godly person is CONSIDERATE
5. A godly person is COURAGEOUS

Step 3 = Correlation

Is there any other scriptures with these qualities? YES

Step 4 = Application

Honor others with THESE QUALITIES

Allow God to work on YOUR LIFE IN THESE AREAS

Other Resources

Books to Read:

• “Bible Study Methods” by Rick Warren
• “Living by the Book” by Howard Hendricks

Print tools:

• Exhaustive Concordance (Strong’s)
• A good study bible (ESV recommended)