Defined:
The Topical Method involves selecting a biblical subject and tracing it through a single book, either Old or New Testament, or the entire Bible in order to discover what God says about the topic.

Why the Topical Method is Important:

• Enables us to study the Bible systematically, logically, and orderly.
• Gives proper perspective and balance regarding biblical truth.
• Allows us to study subjects that are of particular interest to us.
• Enables us to study the great doctrines of the Bible
• Lends to lively discussions.  Many of the things we talk about are topics.
• Allows us variety in our lifetime commitment to personal Bible study.

Tips for Good Topical Study

• By Systematic
• Make a list of all the things related to your topic and make it as comprehensive as possible.  Take them one at a time in a systematic and logical order.
• Be Thorough
• Find every verse that relates to the topic.  Use a good search engine or concordance.
• Be Exact
• Try to get the exact meaning of every verse you study.  Examine the context to avoid misinterpretation.  Don’t take verses out of context.

Steps - the 6 C’s

1. Compile a list of Words
   • Use a thesaurus to find any words that are similar and related to the topic you want to study.  Write them all down for easy reference.
   • Online Thesaurus
2. Collect Bible References
   • Use a Topical Bible and Exhaustive Concordance to find all the times the Bible refers to your topic.  Write each instance down.
   • Biblestudytools.com - enter your topic and select “Concordances”
   • www.openbible.info - a pretty good resource for topical study
3. Consider Each Reference Individually
   • Ask the great questions (who, what, when, why, where, how)
   • Define all key words you come across
   • What does this reference tell you about your topic?
4. Compare and Group the References
   • Categorize the references that go together.
   • Use as many categories as you need to make the overall picture clear to yourself.
5. Condense Your Study into an Outline
   • Outlines are easier to remember and will help you to recall better.
   • Using the categories from step 4 put the divisions into a logical pattern.
6. Conclude Your Study
   • Summarize your findings in a brief paragraph
   • Write out a personal and practical application

Use your journal to record your study for easy reference later.  You can also use this MS Word template to help you through each of the steps.  It may be easier to share with others if you can publish your study for them to see.

Thematic Method Defined:
The Thematic Method involves approaching a biblical theme with a set of not more than five predetermined questions in mind.  You then trace that theme through the Bible or a single book by asking only those questions, summarizing your conclusions, and writing out a personal application.

Why the Thematic Method?
To discover what you can about a chosen theme with specific, prepared questions you will ask of each verse chosen for study.

What you will need:

• A Study Bible
• An Internet Connection
• An exhaustive Concordance (can be online)
• A Topical Bible (can be online)
• www.biblestudytools.com

Advantages of the Thematic Method:

• You don’t need many reference tools.
• You can do a limited study that you can still glean a lot from using just a concordance.
• This can be a shorter study if you don’t have a lot of time or want to take a brief look at a subject.
• This is a good way to preview a topic by surveying the high points.
• Great way to prepare for a Bible study or teaching.
• Great way to help any new Christian.

Tips

• Don’t use too many questions
• Sometimes you can do a thematic study with only one question
  • Some Examples:What are the things God hates?
    According to the NT, what things should we “endure”?
    What are the things we should “consider” as Christians?
    What traits of a “fool” are given in Proverbs?
    According to Solomon (Proverbs), what brings poverty?
    How does the word “therefore” impact what is being taught?
• Many times you with not find the answer to every one of your questions in the same verse
• If you are not finding answers to any of your questions you need to revise your questions.

Steps:
Step 1:

• Choose a theme to study
• Select something that you are interested in.
• Examples:
• Knowing God’s will
• Obedience
• Praising the Lord in the Psalms
• The Prayers of Jesus

Step 2:

• List all the verses you Intend to Study
• Search all the tools you have and make a list of all the verses that pertain to your study.

Step 3:

• Decide on the Questions to Ask
• What do you want to know about your theme?
• Make a list of questions (keep it to 5)

Step 4:

• Ask Your Questions of Each Reference
• Write your observations as you answer your questions

Step 5:

• Draw Some Conclusions
• Go back to your answers and summarize them.
• Organize them into an outline by grouping similar verses together
• Turn your questions into the major divisions of your outline.

Step 6:

• Write Out a Personal Application
• Write an application that is practical, possible, and measurable.
• What have you learned and how has it changed who you are?
• How has this helped you become more like Jesus?

Use this as a reference to help you in your study.  Additionally you can use this template to guide you through and save what you discover.  Using your personal journal is also encouraged as you can keep it and refer back to it at any time.

Dear High School Students (and your family),

I hope you are having a great summer full of fun, relaxation, river trips, and rest. I recently asked a student what their favorite part of summer is, and the simple response was, “Sleep.” Can you identify with that? What has your summer been like so far? What has been the best part for you? Can you believe that it’s halfway over? (I couldn’t either).

Before you really start thinking about school again (too late now) I want to provide you with an opportunity to be together with other Senior High students from the valley, and specifically Mountain View Church. Beginning July 19^th we will be meeting in people’s houses (see the schedule below), enjoying snacks, watching and discussing a short video, and playing games. The video is from a series called “The Best Question Ever” by Andy Stanley and I think it will be a great encouragement as you approach the new school year. There is one question that you can ask in every situation that will help you foolproof your life and make better decisions.  We are going to learn about that question and how it works out in real life.  This is something you won’t regret. I am also looking forward to playing ultimate Frisbee in the park, going on a scavenger hunt, and having a bon fire late into the night. Each week we will start at 6:30 p.m. and go until whenever.

See you July 19^th!!!

Schedule:

July 19th	July 26th	August 9th	August 16th	August 23rd	August 30th
Casey	Marr	McGraw	Jackson	Carlson	Coe
990 Brush Creek Lane 81601	1116 Walz Ave 81601	3202 Blake Ct 81601	5649 County Rd 117 81601	1006 Palmer Ave 81601	763 River Bend Way 81601
(970) 945-1048	(970) 404-0616	(970) 928-0616	(970) 945-5350	(970) 945-1002	(970) 309-4240

* August 2^nd we will not be meeting because of the HS Mission trip to Kittridge, CO. Please keep us in your prayers this week.

Character Quality Method of Bible Study

Why it is Important to Study the Bible:
- It is the most unique collection of Books in history
- Written over 1500 years
- By around 40 different people
- In 3 languages
- On 3 continents
- There is more than a wealth of information available
- The Bible is how God has reve

aled Himself to us
- The Bible tells the story of people and their interactions with God.

Character Quality Method Defined:
Finding out what the Bible says about a particular characteristic of a person and applying that characteristic to your own life.

Why This Method is Important:
We need to identify character qualities taught in Scripture with the view of learning to avoid the negative ones and work on the positive ones. The goal is to become more like Jesus.

What you need:

- A Bible
- An Internet Connection

Beginning Tips:
- Work on one quality at a time
- It takes a concerted effort to really see how one area applies to every aspect of your life. It is better to have laser focus than a shotgun m

entality. It’s really hard to hit something that is far away with a shotgun.
- Don’t rush it!
- It takes a long time to change habits and attitudes that have been ingrained in us. If you rush it you will     find yourself reverting quickly.
- Be alert to a negative quality in your life that is actually a positive one being misused.
- The positive quality if self-discipline can be misused and turned into rigid, legalistic and unbending approach toward others.
- Trust the Holy Spirit to build these qualities in your life.
- Phil 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.” Ask God to work in your life and trust that he will.

How Do I Do this?
Step 1
- Name the Quality
- Select a quality that you want to study and write it down. Look it up in an english dictionary and write the definition and any synonyms.
- For Example: Define: “Boldness”

Step 2
- Name the Opposite Quality
- Write the antonym of the quality you want to study.

Step 3

- Do a Simple Word Study
- What does the quality mean and how is used throughout scripture? This is as in depth as you want it to be but make sure that you have a good understanding of the word and where it comes from before you move on.

Step 4
- Find some cross references
- Look up the word and it’s cross references in a concordance. Write down all the times it is used and read the verses that mention it. Ask questions about the references that you read.
- What does the Bible teach about this quality?
- List principals and lessons you learn.
- Write down any difficulties you have.

Step 5:
- Do a Brief biographical Study
- Try to find at least one person (more if possible) who exhibited this quality.

Step 6:
- Find a Memory Verse
- Write down a verse that speaks to you or that sticks out. Memorize it and write God’s word on your heart. The more scripture you know the more God will use it to craft your character.

Step 7
- Select a Situation or Relationship to Work on
- Think of an area in your life in which God wants you to work on this character quality (avoiding if it’s negative, building if it’s positive)

Step 8
- Plan a specific project
- Create a project to work on to work on the character quality you are looking at.

Step 9
- Write out a personal illustration