The Vision of His Glory

Tonight my wife Lisa and I will begin team-teaching the Anne Graham Lotz study The Vision of His Glory. This 14 week series focuses on the Book of Revelation.

One of the reasons I'm excited about this video series is the Bible Study method that Graham-Lotz shares with her students. Here's the five steps of Bible study that she teaches in the study guide (pp. 9-11):

Step One: Look into God's Word

Simply read the designated passage of Scripture.

Step Two: What does the passage say?

When you have finished reading the passage, make a verse-by-verse list of the outstanding facts. Don't get caught up in the details, just pinpoint the most obvious facts. Ask yourself, "Who is speaking? What is the subject? Where is it taking place? When did it happen?" As you make your list, do not paraphrase, but use actual words from the passage itself.

Step Three: What does the passage mean?

After reading the passage and listing the facts, look for a lesson to learn from each fact. Ask yourself, "What are the people doing that I should be doing? Is there a command I should obey? Is there a warning to heed? Is there a promise to claim? An example I should follow?" Focus on spiritual lessons.

Step Four: What does the passage mean to me?

The most meaningful step is step 4, but you can't do step 4 until you complete the first three steps. Take the lessons you identified in step 3 and put them in the form of a question you could ask yourself, your spouse, your child, your friend, your neighbor, or your coworker. As you write your questions, listen for God to communicate to you personally through his word.

Step Five: Live in Response.

Pinpoint what God is saying to you from this passage. How will you respond? Write what you will do now about what God has said to you. You might like to date it as a means not only of keeping a spiritual journal, but also of holding yourself accountable to following through in obedience.

This is an excellent strategy. I hope that you can find it useful to you in your daily Bible study.