How to Study the Bible- Verse Mapping for BEGINNERS (2022 Update) | Matthew 6:33

Introduction

The speaker introduces herself and explains that she will be teaching how to study the Bible using verse mapping. She also provides a simplified version of her method for beginners.

What is Verse Mapping?

• Verse mapping is a method of studying the Bible in a visual and appealing way, similar to mind mapping.

• It involves digging deep into one or a few verses at a time using word origins, historical context, definitions, prayer, and helps to apply its truth to your life.

• It is life-changing and can help you observe, interpret, and apply scripture to your life.

Steps of Verse Mapping

• Choose a verse

• Observe what the scripture says

• Interpret what it means

• Apply it to your life

Choosing Your Verse

The speaker explains how to choose a verse for verse mapping.

How to Choose Your Verse

• Pick a verse that pops out in your reading.

• For this video, the speaker has already chosen Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Praying Before You Begin

The speaker emphasizes the importance of praying before beginning your verse mapping study.

Why Pray?

• Pray and ask God to guide us and teach us the truth.

• Ask for understanding and let us be alert to the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name.

Observing Your Chosen Verse

The speaker explains how to observe your chosen verse by gathering background information, getting context, doing key word studies, finding cross-references, and writing down any thoughts or truths that come out of the scriptures.

Steps of Observation

• Gather background information

• Get context

• Do key word studies

• Find cross-references

• Write down any thoughts or truths that come out of the scriptures

Background Information

• The speaker explains that Matthew is the author of the Gospel according to Matthew and was a disciple of Jesus.

• This book is written to the Jews.

Historical Research on Authorship

The speaker explains how historical research can help determine who wrote a particular book in the Bible.

How to Determine Authorship

• Look up church father's writing for evidence.

• Multiple sources should be used, including study bibles, commentaries, and historical research on the internet.

• For Matthew 6:33, Irenaeus and Tertullian both said that Matthew was the author of Matthew in their different writings or books that they wrote in 180 AD and also 200 AD. There is no competing tradition either.

Literary Style

The speaker explains what literary style means when studying a verse from the Bible.

What is Literary Style?

• It refers to how an author uses language to convey meaning.

• Different genres have different styles (e.g. poetry vs. narrative).

Understanding Verse Mapping

In this section, the speaker explains the process of verse mapping and provides tips on how to effectively study a verse.

Literary Styles and When it was Written

• It is important to understand literary styles such as history, prophecy, letters or epistles, poetry, psalms, proverbs.

• Knowing when a book was written is also important. We are not concerned with the exact date but rather if it was pre-fall, pre-flood, during the mosaic law, during Christ's earthly ministry or after Pentecost.

Context

• To get context we need to read verses around it and ask questions like who is speaking? Who are the recipients? What is this about? Are there any figures of speech being used? When is this happening? What is the subject? Where is this happening?

• For example in Matthew 5:1 Jesus teaches a multitude up into a mountain. This is known as the Sermon on the Mount.

Key Word Studies

• A key word captures the essence of the topic. We write scripture in middle of page leaving room on either side for boxing and highlighting.

• The words chosen were "seek", "kingdom", "righteousness" and "added". Strong's number and part of speech should be noted before defining each word.

Tips for Effective Study

• Don't rush through studying God's word. It takes time.

• Keep everything in context by boxing in relevant information.

• Use mind mapping techniques like boxing and highlighting to help visualize connections between ideas.

Steps for Verse Mapping

In this section, the speaker explains the steps involved in verse mapping.

Key Word Studies

• Get the Strong's number and write it down.

• Write a dash and get the part of speech.

• Look up translations of that word in English.

• Jump into Merriam-Webster dictionary and look up the word.

• Read definitions and write down ones that make sense.

• Take same color marker that you highlighted the word in, box it in, and draw a line to your word to show that is the definition.

Definition of Key Words

• Seek - To go in search of look for to try to acquire or gain to make a search or inquiry

• First - Before another in time space or importance in preference to something else

• His - Father God or God the Father

• All these things - Your food drink and clothes or physical needs

• Added - To join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement

Cross-referencing

• A cross-reference is a verse or verses that have a similar theme or topic.

Understanding Bible Verse Mapping

In this section, the speaker discusses how to study the Bible using verse mapping. She explains that verse mapping involves breaking down a passage of scripture into smaller parts and studying each part in detail.

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

• The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, infamous people, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous people, drunkards and revilers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• Seek God's righteousness and His will should be our first priority in life.

• Believers should not search for earthly or physical needs but seek God's will and righteousness.

Interpretation

• Interpret means to explain or tell the meaning of a scripture.

• Take observations from background information, context, keyword studies, cross-references and personal thoughts to write down what the scripture means in general.

Application

• Applying scripture involves putting it to practical use or bringing it into action.

• Ask questions such as: Is there any sin to forsake? Is there any promise to claim? Is there a command to obey? Is there any truth to believe?

• Seek God's kingdom and His righteousness. Believe that He knows your needs and will provide them. Forsake fearing over physical needs.

• Create a routine that works for you. Sacrifice something else if necessary to make time for seeking God.

Prayer

• Pray for help finding time for seeking God and trusting Him with physical needs.

Overall, this section provides an overview of how to study the Bible using verse mapping. It emphasizes seeking God's righteousness as a top priority in life and applying scripture to practical use. The speaker encourages creating a routine that works for you and sacrificing other things if necessary to make time for seeking God.