DAY 4 OF 7

1. TEXT

Start with Ephesians 4:11–16.

Go back and read it again. Before looking anywhere else, ask whether Paul has already given you something in the passage that helps answer your question.

2. CONTEXT

Now read what comes before and after it.

What is Paul talking about? Where did his thought begin? Where is he going?

Sometimes the answer becomes much clearer when we stop looking at one verse by itself.

3. OTHER SCRIPTURE

Now look for other passages that deal with the same subject.

Let Scripture help you understand Scripture.

But be careful here. Don't just hunt for verses that agree with what you already believe.

We're not trying to prove ourselves right.

We're trying to understand what the LORD has said.

4. STUDY TOOLS

Now you can widen your search.

Compare translations. Use a concordance or Bible dictionary. Look at a Hebrew or Greek word if it would actually help you understand the passage.

These tools can be useful, but remember what they are: tools.

They help us understand the Word. They don't get to tell the Word what to say.

YOU MAY NOT FIND THE ANSWER TODAY.

That's okay.

Being equipped doesn't mean you always have an answer.

Sometimes good Bible study ends with:

“Here's what I found, but I'm still not sure.”

I'd rather have you say that than force Scripture to give you an answer it hasn't given you.

Write down what you found and where you found it.

If your study raises another question, write that down too.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Because I don't want you to need me standing beside you every time you have a question about Scripture.

Messiah gave shepherds and teachers to His Body to equip the saints. That's what we're practicing this week.

I'm not trying to make you independent from the Body. I'm trying to help you come to the Body better equipped.

So when we gather on Shabbat, don't just bring an answer.

Bring your work.

Bring what you found.

And bring the questions you still have.

Then we can work through the Word together.