Personal Personal Study – Who Study – Who

Me?Me?

Yes, you….and me!Yes, you….and me!

The Bible deserves personal The Bible deserves personal studystudy

Faith comes only by the WordFaith comes only by the Word

Your faith is a very personal Your faith is a very personal thingthing

We each will give answer to GodWe each will give answer to God

No one can do this for you…No one can do this for you…

How can you motivate How can you motivate personal study?personal study?

Self motivation comes from –1.1. Understanding what the Bible isUnderstanding what the Bible is2.2. Focusing on why study the BibleFocusing on why study the Bible3.3. Knowing how you learnKnowing how you learn4.4. Choosing what you want (need) to Choosing what you want (need) to

studystudy5.5. Having a worthwhile goal and plan Having a worthwhile goal and plan 6.6. Reviewing progress toward Reviewing progress toward

the goalthe goal7.7. PrayingPraying

Why Study?Why Study?

We all know why – to please God; be We all know why – to please God; be saved by truthsaved by truth John 8:32John 8:32

to grow into the image of Christ, i.e., to grow into the image of Christ, i.e., change behavior change behavior 2 Cor 3:18 2 Cor 3:18

To make decisions and solve problems of To make decisions and solve problems of daily life daily life 2 Tim 3:16,172 Tim 3:16,17

To enable prayers for God’s wisdom To enable prayers for God’s wisdom James 1:5James 1:5

To teach others To teach others Hebrews 5:14Hebrews 5:14 To experience the joy of learningTo experience the joy of learning

Matthew 6:21Matthew 6:21

Motivating YourselfMotivating Yourself

• Factors that motivate– Studying that which has personal value– Keeping an open, positive attitude– Defining tasks that challenge – but not

too much– Frequent, positive feedback– Being a valued part of a learning

community

Lowman, J., Mastering the Techniques of Teaching

Motivating YourselfMotivating Yourself

• Finding your learning style– Are you an auditory learner?– Are you a visual learner?– Are you a tactile/kinesthetic learner?– The power of combined styles

Motivating YourselfMotivating Yourself

The power of combined styles

You must develop intrinsic motivation Find 3 reasons to study a topic

What turns you on about it? What value will you receive? How will you use information you get?

Research has found you will – Put in more effort Study more deeply Find more ways to succeed Be more persistent

Extrinsic motivation will also help

Intrinsic MotivationIntrinsic Motivation

• Define the purpose of your study– Set a measurable goal– Scope your project

• Develop a strategy– Set mini-goals– Determine your approach– Identify the best techniques to use– Plan appropriately

Charting Your Own WayCharting Your Own Way

““Make no little plans; they have no magic to Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood… Make big plans, aim high stir men’s blood… Make big plans, aim high in hope and work.”in hope and work.”

Charting Your Own WayCharting Your Own Way

Daniel H. Burnham (1846 – 1912)American architect and urban planner

Aim high to create a Aim high to create a challenge, but be realistic challenge, but be realistic lest you become lest you become discouraged.discouraged.

What Approach Is Best?What Approach Is Best?

Simply reading? Surveying book or testament? Expository (textual)? Topical? Character sketch?

…whatever your study – stay in context…

…depends upon your purpose…

…and focus on why you are studying…

3 Questions 3 Questions Luke 10:25-28Luke 10:25-28

1. What does it say?

2. What does it mean?

3. How should I change?

2211 33

How it WorksHow it Works

2211 33

Colossians 3:1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

The “raising” in this verse refers to baptism by complete immersion in water. Only those who believe in the risen Christ and are baptized into Him have a reason to seek heavenly things.

I have been immersed into Christ, therefore I am like those to whom Paul wrote on this occasion. He is speaking directly to me. What can I do today to seek those things above where Christ is?

Say? Mean? Do?

Which will you start today?Which will you start today?

• Character sketch

• Topical: change Behavior

• Expository: Short Book

• Testament Survey

2 Kings 52 Kings 5 3 wks3 wks

Proverbs 11-30Proverbs 11-30 6 wks6 wks

Colossians or PhilippiansColossians or Philippians 3 mos3 mos

New TestamentNew Testament 1 year1 year

Which for Which for you??you??

www.clarionword.com/downloads.html

• Ask pertinent questions– When analyzing a passage or book– When probing a word meaning– When studying a topic– When studying a Bible character– When drawing conclusions

• Identify reasons to stick with the project

• Plan to review

Charting Your Own WayCharting Your Own Way

You You cancan motivate your own motivate your own study!study!

Motivate yourself by –1.1. Understanding what the Bible isUnderstanding what the Bible is2.2. Focusing on why study the BibleFocusing on why study the Bible3.3. Knowing how you learnKnowing how you learn4.4. Choosing what you want (need) to studyChoosing what you want (need) to study5.5. Having a worthwhile goal and plan Having a worthwhile goal and plan 6.6. Reviewing progress toward the goalReviewing progress toward the goal7.7. Praying for the Lord’s helpPraying for the Lord’s help

Why not start Why not start today?!today?!

May God richly bless May God richly bless your study!your study!