Bible Study Methodology

Why "Methodology"?
Welcome to Bible Study Methodology. You may be wondering why we added the unusual word “methodology” to “Bible Study”. Simply because “methodology” is our focus at this stage.

Let us all agree that not only are we all from different Christian Denominations, but most Denominations seriously believe that their teachings and doctrines and practices are correct, right, and even authentic. Most Denominations would even admit that what they believe  and teach and practice is inspired not just by the Bible – God’s Word – but also by God’s Holy Spirit.

And here is where we have an obvious problem. When A is different from B and B and A are both different from C, then A and B and C cannot be the same. To put it mildly, when it comes to the Word of God, the mind of God, the administration of the Holy Spirit, A, B & C cannot all be right. We have four options. A could be right, and B and C wrong. or B can be right, and A and C wrong. Or C can be right, and A and B wrong. The fourth possibility is that A, B and C are all wrong.

Then, what do we do? We go back to basics. We know that God is not the author of confusion. We know that God cannot contradict Himself, and therefore His Word cannot contradict itself. We know that all Scripture is inspired by God. We know that it is settled that at least the 66 books of the Protestant Bible is settled cannon. And we know that One of the Ministries of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all Truth and Teach us all things.

With these basics in our toolkit, we formulate principles and best-practices for studying God’s Word. We take 2 Timothy 2:15 seriously so that we can arrive at 1 Peter 3:15 eventually.

Then in humility, and with deference to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we confirm the doctrines we believe that are right, and correct the doctrines we believe that are wrong.

Clearly, this last step is very difficult and will face all sorts of demonic attack and resistance. Remember, the Devil is the author of divisions and schisms in the Body of Jesus Christ. He is the master of divide & conquer strategies. He is going to leverage our unsubmitted reserves of pride and egotism and shame.

But we do not fight alone, and definitely not by ourselves. “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12).

Just as the Devil wants us divided for his advantage and our defeat, so God reminds us that He has already united us.  Paul reminds u in Ephesians 4:4-7, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

For this reason, LCGL has opted to focus on Bible Study Methodology, so that you can focus on Bible Study with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. And always remember the Apostle John’s assurance in 1 John 4:4 – “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”