3.List biblical synonyms/complementary a.fear, cares, burdens subjects. b.salvation, born again, redemption

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1 How to Do A Topical Study will help you to do a thorough study and will make it less likely that a verse or verses are taken out of context and misapplied. The cults are notorious for taking Scriptures out of context and coming to bizarre interpretations based on their preconceived idea of what they want the passage to say. This process will help you to avoid that potential. A.FIRST, IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT. 1.Name the subject of study in contemporary terms. 2.Name the biblical a.contemporary equivalent. example: stressed out, uptight b.biblical terms: anxious, worry, fret, anxiety, heavy laden, burdened 3.List biblical synonyms/complementary a.fear, cares, burdens subjects. b.salvation, born again, redemption 4.List antonyms/words just the opposite of your subject. For example, 5.Choose from the above list the key words you will concentrate on in the antonym of a this study. Try to B.SECOND, GET The DEFINITION word that is central OF THE to KEY your WORD(S). subject. 1.Use English Dictionary 2.Use biblical language tools if available, e.g., Vines 3.Use also the context of references in step three to define the word. a.observe the setting of the words. Does it help you to understand the b.observe the use of the same word in other places in the same book. word? Is the wo Does the aut 1 / 5

2 C.THIRD, LIST ALL REFERENCES WHERE KEY WORDS AND SYNONYMS ARE MENTIONED. 1.Use Topical Bible, e.g., Naves, Zondervan's New Compact 2.Use Exhaustive Concordance Note: use Exhaustive Concordance, so that you can know which references use the sa a.list the key words from the Old and New Testaments b.list the key similes D.FOURTH, READ THROUGH ALL REFERENCES. 1.The guidelines: a.notice what is 1)Remember before and that after each Scripture passage. you have listed has a context in whic 2)Remember this: TOPICAL STUDIES ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT KINDS OF STUDIES TO DO, B b.read carefully and with feeling. c.remember as before you read you this draw passage any that it was originally conclusions, written seek to understand with the a passage particular you a 2.The things to look for: a.warnings? 2 / 5

3 b.promises? c.commands? d.advice? e.conditions? f. Examples, illustrations? g.lists, series, or progression? E.FIFTH, SUMMARIZE THE CONTEXT OF EACH PASSAGE OR VERSE IN A PHRASE OR SENT EXAMPLE Subject: Anxiety/Fretting Phil. 4:4--Is controlled in an environment of praise. Phil. 4:5--Gentleness needs to be developed and expressed in relationships. Phil. 4:5b--Awareness of the Lord's presence is needed. Phil. 4:6--Is relieved through prayer, petition and thanksgiving. Phil. 4:8--Right thinking and obedience brings peace. I Pet. 5:7--Cast anxiety on God because He cares for us. I Pet. 5:6--Humility is the precondition for the full reception of God's care and Psalm 37--Positive steps to overcome worry and fretting. Psalm 37:8--Fretting leads to sin. F.SIXTH, LIST A QUESTIONS summary of Subject: YOUR the questions OUTLINE the Fear of ANSWERS. God 1.What does the fear of God reveal about a person?--prov. 1:7 2.How do we know if we have a healthy fear of God?--Prov. 8:13 3.How do we gain the awe?--prov. 9:10 4.What are the benefits of the fear of God?--Prov. 14:26-27; 31:30; 22:4; 16:16; 19:23; 25:14 3 / 5

4 G.SEVENTH, OUTLINE AND SUMMARIZE YOUR FINDINGS. 1.Make a simple a.combine outline of observations the that are of the similar. subject. b.lay aside those that do not apply. 2.Write a summary of your summaries. a. A summary Subject: outline the 1)The Fear of relationship God between wisdom and the fear of God--Prov. 1:7 2)The evidence of a healthy fear of God--Prov. 8:13 3)The acquisition of the fear of God--Prov. 9:10 4)The benefits a)there of the fear will of be God security for you and your family--prov. 14: b)there will be honor for the man and woman who fears God-- Prov. 31:30; 22: c)there will be an avoidance of evil--prov. 16:6. d)there will be true life and contentment--prov. 19:33. e)the Lord will confide in those who fear Him--Ps. 25:4. b.a summary statement: A person begins a walk of wisdom when he or she develops a healthy H. EIGHTH, FIND Take AN from ILLUSTRATION the following: OF THE SUBJECT. 1.Modern day 2.Reading 3.Personal life 4.Biblical characters, e.g., David 4 / 5

5 I. NINTH, RECORD PROBLEMS--THINGS THAT MIGHT ANGER, CHALLENGE, OR MAKE IT HA 1.Don't compromise the truth, just be aware of the roadblocks to its application. What a 2.This step also alerts you to the necessity to be prayerful when applying this teaching. 3.This step allows you time to pray about the proper time, tact and setting to share this with others. J.TENTH, FORM, e.g., PRINCIPLES "God shares THAT His secrets CAPSULIZE with THE IMPORTANT those who POINTS fear Him." FROM YOUR STUD K. ELEVENTH, 1.How APPLY does THE this WORD apply OR to our SUBJECT. day, e.g., government politics, economics, b 2.What is the social application? 3.How do we apply what the author said to our own personalities, needs, families, etc.? L.TWELFTH, FORMULATE A FINAL OUTLINE OR SUMMARY, THAT INCLUDES ALL THE ABOV 5 / 5