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DESCRIPTIVE BIBLE STUDIES
The missing ingredient in much teaching and preaching today is meditation. If much time is spent studying the meaning of words or reading commentaries, there may be little time left to think deeply and broadly about the passage and / or the people in it.
The descriptive Bible study method is our attempt to revive the art of biblical meditation in a systematic way rather than a mystical one. It is not just the amount of time that is spent thinking about a Bible passage or biblical character that is important. The quality of the time spent also is very important. So a systematic method is needed.
SAMPLE STUDY: How would you describe Psalm 51?
First, begin a list of descriptive terms and phrases on your own before using Describe-It-Yourself lists of cards to add to it. Do this by completing this simple sentence, Psalm 51 is... Remembering to avoid long sentences, you might write short notes saying that it is: "a prayer," "by David," "about sin," "sad," "about the past," "about the future," etc.
Second when you run out of ideas, open one of the Describe-It-Yourself card sets (buttons below) and start asking yourself if the various terms or phrases on page after page are appropriate or not. With practice, you will be able to go through the pages of cards faster and faster. A sample page showing cards with blank lines is shown below. What phrases or terms on the sample page would you select to describe Psalm 51?
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Psalm 51 is obviously about guilt. So you will want to use that phrase, but how would you fill in the blank line that comes with it. Various additional words would fit well. For instance, you might wish to say that Psalm 51 is about guilt and forgiveness. Alternatively you might say that Psalm 51 is about guilt and overcoming it.
In addition, you may wish to add to the about having phrase and say that Psalm 51 is about having a clean heart. You could also correctly say that the Psalm is about happiness through foregiveness.
Even various list times that you may not select will still be good to think about. For instance, would you say that Psalm 51 is harsh? Probably not, but it is good to note that David was not soft on sin or himself. The Psalm is specific about David's sin (51:14).
At the end, the final step is to select what you believe are the most important descriptive phrases and make personal applications based on such.
There are Four Describe-It-Yourself Card Sets to choose from. Two sets, (A) and (B), are shorter to save time. In two sets, (A) and (M), all the cards have blank lines for extra thought stimulation. Over half of the cards in the Pro (P) set have blank lines as well. Beaginners may enjoy the simplicity of the Short List (B) set, but those with time for detailed studies may like the Mid List (M) or Pro List (P) sets. Yet, the best set for most users is Short List (A).
134 pages
1,340 cards
with blank lines
BEST FOR MOSTSHORT LIST (B)
125 pages
1,250 cards
mostly no blanks
FOR SIMPLICITYMID LIST (M)
243 pages
2,430 cards
with blank lines
FOR DETAILSPRO LIST (P)
360 pages
3,600 cards
both card types
FOR IT ALL
STUDIES THAT USE THIS APPROACH
Much of the material on this website makes use of the descriptive method. The fourteen sets of studies shown below do so to greater or lesser degrees. Some of the descriptive studies come with blank lines to be filled in, while others include answers that are to be judges as correct, incorrect, or partly correct.
MARK
Describe-It-Yourself
Nineteen studies through Mark using Describe-It-Yourself lists and cards.
Most studies have 28 Describe-It-Yourself cards which can be used for teaching and study related games.
LUKE
Describe-It-Yourself
Seven studies in Luke with Describe-It-Yourself lists and cards.
Each study has a subset of the Describe-It-Yourself cards which can be used for teaching and study related games.
THE SUFFERING
of the Lord Jesus
Unlike most of the studies in Mark and Luke the worksheets in this set have blank lines which need to be filled in. So it would be good to look through the Mark or Luke material first in order to better understand the method.
Descriptive Studies
in ACTS
In several of the many studies in this set, lesser-known characters are the focus, but in most studies key events, messages, or ministries are tstudied and the descriptive method is used.
ROMANS
Saved to Serve
What is the purpose of Romans? It is not just about salvation. The goal is for us to serve God. So chapter 12 must be taken every bit as seriously as chapter eight. The same is true of chapter 16 in which many servants of the Lord are mentioned. We are saved to serve!
Most of the studies in this set are done with Describe-It-Yourself cards.
SOLOMON
The third king of Israel is impressive in many ways but is rarely studied. This set of seven studies is practical and devotional. Yet it also develops key prophecy related points that are often missed.
Most of these studies make use of Describe-It-Yourself terms and the Wheel of Discovery tool.
20 YOUTH QUESTIONS
The twenty questions in this set -- which youth in the Bible were asked -- can be used in a variety of ways in youth groups, home school settings, or Christian schools.
Most of these studies make use of Describe-It-Yourself terms and the Wheel of Discovery tool.
JOSHUA
Five of the seven studies in this set are descriptive, making use of Describe-It-Yourself Cards. The first of these is on the crossing of Jordan. The second such is on the Commander of the Lord's army in chapter five.
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RUTH
Five of the eight studies in this set are descriptive, making use of Describe-It-Yourself Cards. These studies well illustrate how the descriptive method works.
ISAIAH
The comparative studies in this set are on Isaiah and other prophets, and most descriptive studies are chapter summaries. There is much to think about even though some of the topics are well-known.
Beyond the Darkness
Ezekiel's ministry to the captives in Babylon was, of course, prophetic, but it was also counseling. The people needed to understand and look beyond their sad present reality to see the future glory of the Lord. We do as well.
Three of the six studies in this set use the Descriptive Method.
REVELATION
Three of the four studies in Revelation make use of the set of Describe-It-Yourself cards. in the final study, in chapter 21, the New Jerusalem is described.
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THE LORD'S PRAYER
How would you describe the Lord's Prayer? The Describe-It-Yourself cards and terms can be used to do so. There is a summary chart and an optional game. One of the key points in this set is the Lord's Prayer is 3D.
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SPECIAL ANIMALS
All 22 studies in this set use the Descriptive Meditation method with descriptive phrases or terms and blank lines for additional comments. How would describe the ravens that fed Elijah or the donkey colt that the Lord rode when he entered Jerusalem?
