Performing a Biographical Study
A Biographical Study is the study of a particular biblical person for the purpose
of studying his or her life and character. By studying an individual Biblical character, the student can evaluate and make the proper application to their life. When conducting a Biographical Study, the following tools should be employed: Study Bible, Exhaustive
Concordance, Topical Bible, Bible Dictionary and Bible Encyclopedia. A few things should be noted before beginning one's study:
STEPS:(the chart below will help record the information found in the various steps)
Adapted from: Bible Study Methods (Zondervan Publishers)
- Begin with a person on whom you can do a simple study. A good place to start is someone with a few references.
- 'Live' with the person whom you are studying. Try to discover the individual's point-of view was, as well consider, how they think, feel, etc
- Beware of people with the same name. For example, 30 different men in the Bible are named Zechariah.
- Find the various names that may apply to the person being study. A person's name can change because of a change in character, location or intervention from God.
- Stay away from books written about the person being studied until after you have exhausted all the Biblical references and drawn your own insights.
STEPS:(the chart below will help record the information found in the various steps)
- Select the person you want to study.
- Make a list of all the references about that person. Using a reference tool such as a concordance, find all the Scripture passages relating to the person selected for study.
- On first reading, write down first impressions, basic observations and important information (i.e. problems, questions, or difficulties).
- On second reading, make a chronological outline. This will provide an overview of the selected person's life; as well it will help in seeing how the events of that person's life connect.
- On third reading, look for insights into the person.
- On the fourth reading, identify positive and negative characteristics of the person.
- Identify Bible truths that are illustrated in the person's life.
- Summarize the main lessons that is taught or illustrated by the person's life.
- Write an application: is there a truth to learn?; a pattern to follow?; a precept to obey?; a principle to obey?
- Make the study transferable. How can someone else benefit from what has been learned? How could this study help someone else?
Adapted from: Bible Study Methods (Zondervan Publishers)
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