Snapshots of Life: Inspiration

I am really looking for great tips to enhance my Bible study time. I came across this post on Rahab's Thread that had a great suggestion about 3 questions to ask during a Bible study. In the post, Elle states,

Questions are useful because they are an effective tool for learning about something or someone. Based on that preliminary information, the person must then decide how to respond to the information. The three question method of Bible study is effective because asking questions about a passage of Scripture helps place the information into your brain, serves as a prompt to apply the truth to your life, and causes you to remember both the information and truth beyond lunch.

She provides three questions to use in any Bible study.

1. What is this passage about? At first, that seems too simple, but then I realized that the Bible often uses things we are familiar with to teach us a lesson. This is often the case with parables, but often occurs other places. For example, Isaiah 55:2 (the scripture I am working on memorizing right now and am getting close to mastering) states,

Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Is that talking about food? Is it saying that we need to literally eat a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables? I don't think so. It is talking about putting holy things into our lives. Spending our time, energy, and money on things that will enhance our spiritual health. So, we need to look at what it is really talking about below the surface. Maybe it is cut and dry, but maybe it is not.

2. What do I learn from this passage? Is there something that you have not seen before? Does this relate to some other passage you have read that you did not notice before? Did something just jump out at you? For example in the passage mentioned above, I learned that if we focus on the type of things Christ teaches/emphasized (like the fruits of the spirit or the "whatever is" verse) I will be more satisfied. But, if I keep "ingesting" things of the world, I will always hunger for more. Elle elaborates greatly on this question. Definitely check out what she has to say about it.

3. What will I apply from this passage to my life? Wow! This is where the rubber meets the road. If we only read for knowledge, we are reading in vain. Likewise, if we only study principles without knowing God's word, it is in vain. Now, I am not saying that either of these things in and of themselves are bad. I am actually saying the opposite. Both of them are important.

So, you need to take what you learned in question 2 and state specifically (not just watch better television, but stop watching that specific show) what you will change in your life, or what you will keep doing.

I will definitely be putting these questions to use in my study time. Check out Elle's entire post here. It is well worth your time.

What do you find helpful in your Bible study times? Are there any tips that you have heard that you would like to share? Please let me know!

For my Works for me Wednesday (on Thursday- sorry) I wanted to tell you about something that has been an encouragement to me lately.
Some of you may have seen the CWO Blogroll box in the lower right corner of my site. This is the Christian Woman Online Blogroll that I am a part of. On the Christian Woman website, they have their own blog called "The Internet Cafe."

Here is what they say about the blog:

The Internet Cafe is the team blog for Christian Women Online Magazine, "your daily dose of inspiration." It's a place to kick back, grab a virtual chair at our table, and allow God to fill your cup to running over. It's addictive, but only He can satisfy the craving of your soul.

The past few have been exactly what I need to hear! Isn't it amazing how God uses those around us to speak to us?! All we have to do is be willing to really listen. So, head over to The Internet Cafe and over to Shannon's for more WFMW.