The Thematic Study Approach How To Investigate Themes in the Bible

In our very first session we mentioned that one of the secrets to a good Bible study is learning to ask the right questions. In doing the Thematic Study Approach you get to decide on the set of questions you’ll ask before you look to the scriptures. Chances are if you are developing the habit of Bible study into your life you’ll encounter things that will peak your curiosity and make you desirous to learn more. I’ve encouraged you in every approach to write out struggles that you have and questions that you encounter in your Bible study time. This approach is one of the ways you’ll be able to find answers to those questions. The Thematic Study Approach involves approaching a biblical theme with a set of not more than five predetermined questions in mind. The questions you want to ask should revolve around Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? You will then trace your theme through the Bible or a single book of the Bible by asking only those questions. After that is done you’ll summarize your conclusions, and then of course write out an action item. There are six steps in total, so there is not a lot to it. The Thematic Study Approach is very similar to a traditional topical study, but it differs in two ways. First, the thematic study doesn’t take as much time because you won’t be looking up as many verses. It could be called a limited type of topical study. A topic may have many different themes running through it. For example, you may be studying the topic of “Prayer” and in doing so you would want to study the following themes under that topic: “The prayers of Jesus”, “The different types of prayers”, “Conditions for answered prayer”, “Intercession for others” and many others. A topical study would investigate every possible verse that relates to the overall topic. In the Thematic Study Approach, however, you would concentrate only on verses that deal with your predetermined theme. The second difference is that the Thematic Study Approach requires fewer questions. In a topical study you ask as many questions as you can, because your goal is to gain as much information about your topic as possible. The thematic study has a limit of five carefully chosen questions. After making a list of verses to study you will examine them only using those five questions.

Why this approach is helpful There are a few advantages to using this approach in Bible study: 1. You don’t need many reference tools. You can pull off a thematic study if you only have a Topical Bible and a Study Bible. Note that Topical Bible’s don’t always list all the verses on a particular theme. For that reason it is helpful to have an exhaustive concordance handy for this study too.

2. You can use this approach when you get bogged down in another Bible study. When you discover something that you don’t fully understand, or you have questions about what something in a particular verse means, take a break and use this approach. Try to capture the heart of your struggle in the shape of a few well-crafted questions and bring those questions into this type of Bible study. It really does help. 3. This is a great approach to use if you’re discipling new believers. If you’re working with someone who is struggling in a particular area and you feel like you are lacking wisdom on what to say to them, do a Bible study on that theme. Not only will it help you grow close in your walk with God, but it will help others too. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

Ask God for wisdom and then spend time in His Word. It works every time!

Some Things To Keep In Mind Here are a few things you may want to consider when you’re using the Thematic Study Approach. 1. Don’t use too many verses. You will encounter some themes that will have hundreds of scripture references. If you list too many verses you’ll never finish your study. I recommend that you stick with five to eight passages per study. You will read more passages than that when you’re finding the verses you’ll study, but when you do select them limit yourself with five to eight passages. 2. Sometimes you can do the Thematic Study Approach with only one question. Here are some examples: - What are things God hates? - According to the New Testament, what things should we “endure”? - What traits of a fool are given in Proverbs? - According to Solomon, what brings poverty? So you don’t necessarily need to have the five questions of Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. Sometimes one question and five to eight verses will be plenty. Just keep that in mind. 3. Many times you will not find the answer to every one of your questions in the same verse. When that happens, just leave your form blank and move on to the next question.

4. If you’re not finding the answers to your questions in the verses you’ve selected, it probably means you need to select new verses. Don’t be disappointed if you have to do this. Sometimes you’ll need to swap passages because you’re not finding what you’re looking for. It’s not a big deal. Write down some new verses and carry on. Step One – Choose Your Theme Select a theme in which you are interested. If this is your first study of this kind, start with one that is small or short. I have included a list of recommended themes at the end of this session.

Step Two – Decide On The Questions You Will Ask How do you know what questions to ask? Write down those in which you are most interested. What are some things you would like to know about your theme? Make a list of questions, not more than five in number. Remember that sometimes you may need to ask only one question. Write your question(s) on the form or on a blank sheet of paper.

Step Three – Make A List Of Verses Using the three tools – the Study Bible, the exhaustive concordance, and the topical Bible – make a list of all the Scripture passages that are related to the theme you have chosen. Remember to consider synonyms and other similar words or concepts when you’re using your concordance. Select from this list the verses that are most important to your theme.

Step Four – Ask Your Questions Of Each Verse Read through your references, and ask your set of questions of each verse. Write down the answers you find in the appropriate places on your form. Sometimes you’ll be able to answer all the questions from a single verse, but usually you will only answer part of them. Occasionally, a verse may not answer any of your questions; in that case, either leave that part of your form blank or swap your verse out with a new one. If you’re bumping into this issue in most of your verses you may need to write out a new set of questions.

Step Five – Write A Summary Of What You’ve Learnt After you have finished checking the references and writing your answers, go back and summarize the answers to each of your questions. You might organize your study into an outline by grouping similar verses together and turning your questions into the major divisions of the outline. This will make it easy for you to share the insights you have discovered with others.

Step Six – Write An Action Item To implement what you have discovered and make it real in your life, write out a personal application that is practical, possible, and measurable. Refer to the steps in the Elementary Bible Study Approach if you need help developing an effective application.

The Character Sketch Approach Form Again, I’ve included a journal form at the end of this lesson to help remind you of the steps and provide an organized place for you to record your insights. You can print off this form and compile all of your notes in a binder or files. Or you can go to www.christiancentre.ca/bible-study and download a digital version of this form.

A Good Place To Start If you’re looking for some ideas for a thematic study then let me make a few suggestions. First, begin your thematic studies with themes that are simple and have only a few scripture references. Here are some ideas to get you started, including sample questions you may ask. Theme: Knowing God’s Will Look up the word will in a concordance and find the references that refer to God’s Will, Will of God, Will of the Lord, The Lord’s Will, and any other related words. Questions to ask: 1) What specific things are God’s will? 2) Why am I to do God’s will? 3) How am I to do God’s will? Theme: Obedience Questions to ask: 1) Why is obedience important? 2) What are the results of obedience? 3) What are the results of disobedience? 4) How am I to obey God? Theme: Praising The Lord (Psalms Only) Questions to ask: 1) Why should I praise the Lord? 2) How can I praise the Lord? 3) When should I praise the Lord? 4) What are some of the results from praising the Lord? Theme: The Prayers Of Jesus (Obviously you’ll just be studying the Gospels) Questions to ask: 1) How often should I pray? 2) When did Jesus pray? 3) Why should I pray as Jesus did? 4) What did Jesus pray for? 5) To whom should I pray?

The Thematic Study Approach (Sample)   Date: January 28th 2013

Theme: Jesus’ Definition of A Disciple

List of Verses Matthew 10:24-25 Luke 14:26-28 Luke 14:33 John 8:31-32 John 13:34-35 John 15:8

Questions To Be Asked 1) What are the characteristics of a disciple? 2) What are the results of being a disciple?

Answers To Questions Scripture Reference #1: Matthew 10:24-25 1) A disciple will be like Christ (his Master) 2) He should expect to be treated as Christ was by the world.

Scripture Reference #2: Luke 14:26-28 1) A disciple gives supreme love to Christ and bears his cross and follows Christ.

Scripture Reference #3: Luke 14:33 1) A disciple gives all to follow Christ

Scripture Reference #4: John 8:31-32 1) A disciple continually abides in Christ’s Word. 2) He knows the truth and is set free.

Scripture Reference #5: John 13:34-35 1) A disciple has love for others. 2) Others will know that he belongs to Christ.

Scripture Reference #6: John 15:8 1) A disciple bears fruit. 2) A disciple bearing fruit brings glory to God.

Write A Summary Characteristics I discovered: A disciple… • Is like Christ • Gives supreme love to Christ • Bears his cross and follows Christ • Gives all up to follow Christ • Continually abides in Christ’s Word • Loves others • Bears fruit Results I discovered: • He should expect persecution • He knows the truth and is free • He brings glory to God • Others notice he belongs to Christ.

Action Item Based on John 8:31-32 I will continue to grow close to Christ through daily devotions and weekly Bible study. Based on John 13:34-35 I will demonstrate Christ’s love to others in my life. I’m going to take steps to reach out to others that I have been avoiding and have been “too busy” to fellowship with.

The Thematic Study Approach   Date:

Theme:

List of Verses

Questions To Be Asked 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Answers To Questions Scripture Reference #1: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #2: 1)

2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #3: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #4: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #5: 1)

2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #6: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Scripture Reference #7: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Write A Summary

Action Item