It has been said, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day but if you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for life.” There are so many Bible study methods available but I would like to introduce you to one more called the PRAYER Bible Study Method.

The quote used is why Bible study is very important in the life of the believer. You can buy as many ready-made Bible studies as you desire, but there is nothing better than going to the Bible and reading for yourself.

Stand-alone Bible Studies should be supplemental because they are like snacks. What we need is bread in order for us to be sustained and that is the Bible.

I really like the idea of having a Bible Study Method with the acronym of Prayer because they both go hand in hand. They are kinda like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because after you pray, you receive God’s response through his written Word.

 

PRAYER Bible Study Method

 

Pray

Read

Apply

Yield

Examine

Retain

 

Introduction

 

I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I have read my Bible and been left in the same condition as when I first started. Has that ever happened to you? I think this happens because what I learned added more head knowledge and didn’t inspire heart change.

The Bible is the manual that God has given to you to learn about him and how you should live. If I collected a dime every time I heard someone mention, I wish I had a manual for motherhood, dating, or even financial wealth, I would be rich.

The truth of the matter is that there is a book that tells us all we need to know to have a successful life here on earth and it is the Word of God.

I did a survey once for my blog readers and someone mentioned that their problem is remembering what they read when they left. And all I could think of is, well don’t we all?

It is so easy to forget if proper care is not placed on the application of the Word that you read. So, I developed the PRAYER Bible Study method. It can be used for any scripture in God’s word and you are guaranteed to remember what you learned if you do it correctly.

The acronym prayer should be easy to remember when you are looking for a Bible Study Method to enhance your time spent with God. There are so many methods out there but I truly believe that this method will cause a closer connection in your heart each time you use it.

One of the most important things the believer should always focus on is your standing with God. If you are going to pray, read your Bible, or even give a generous gift to a friend your motives should be right. That way you never miss out on a blessing from God.

How can we focus on our standing in God? We do so by reading his word, by meditation, by memorization, by feasting, and by relying on the powerful transformation that time in the Word will bring us. All of these are aspects of the PRAYER method.

 

 

What each letter entails:

P- pray

Before you go into God’s word longing to hear from him, you need to pray. Your heart and life need to be ready to listen to what God wants you to glean.

Psalms 51:10 (KJV)- Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

R- read

Read the scripture or passage that you have chosen to read. Don’t just read it once. First, read it through at a moderate speed. Then, reread it slowly while letting God’s word find a place in your heart and mind. Keep reading it until you have a pretty good idea of what God is saying to you.

Joshua 1:8 (KJV)- “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” Meditation and observation are all apart of reading the word.

A-apply

Now that you have read and understood the passage, it is time to apply it to your life, time, and culture. The Bible is still relevant to everyone today.

What is the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?

What is the problem and/or sin that has been addressed in this passage?

And once you can answer those, how does it apply to you and the life that you live?

What changes need to be made in your life?

Write it all out.

James 1:22-25 (NLT)- But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Y-yield

The Holy Spirit has convicted your heart with the truth in God’s word. Don’t harden your heart against him. It is time to yield to his prompting and soften your heart to the word that you have received.

Romans 6:16- Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

E-examine

Is there anything else in your life that is contrary to how you should be living as a Christian? Every so often, we should search our hearts but you are now to search your heart in light of the passage that you have read. Do you need to examine your faith in Jesus after reading the passage you studied? You can do so now.

2 Corinthians 13:5- Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

R- retain

This scripture or passage has caused you to grow closer and deeper in Christ. Memorize the scripture, and hide it in your heart. Once you have memorized it you can begin to meditate on it throughout your day. May it be a comfort to you in the days ahead.

Psalms 119: 11- Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. As you come to an end, include this passage in your prayer.

To help you remember:

 

Get a free bookmark and printable to help you remember this creative way of spending time in solitude with God as you read his word.

If you want to dive deeper into this Bible Study Method take a look at my digital product that will enable you to do so. I hope that this method will open your eyes to the wonders that God has written in his word and that you will have joy and fortitude whenever you are about to dive into the word.

 

 

Don’t forget to share this method with your friends and those who you know can benefit from it.

I love you with the love of Christ.

Keneesha 🙂