This is a set of 6 questions to ask either yourself or in a study group when studying the Bible. Taken from the article Six Questions to Ask When Studying the Bible in a Group
- What stuck out to you this time through?
Every time we read the Bible, God will be reminding us of things we’ve forgotten, and showing us things we haven’t seen before. And when we read the Bible in a group, he’ll be revealing different things to different people, multiplying the insight and learning. God does not intend for us to see different meanings, but to learn the one true multi-dimensional meaning, and then to see some of the limitless implications and applications from that truth
2. Did these verses raise any questions as you read?
You might stumble over a word or verse, or a connection to another part of the Bible, or a particular theological point. With every question you ask, try and answer your own question before going to others for help. Some of the deepest, most lasting learning we do comes when we press ourselves to search the Bible for an answer to our own question. The answer might be in the verse that you’re studying, or in the surrounding chapter or book, or God may bring to mind a verse or verses elsewhere in the Bible. Stop, pray, ask, and do your best. Then, turn to others (whether commentaries or other members of your group) for another perspective.
3. Where do we see Jesus Christ in these verses?
The cross is not original to the Swedish Method, but was added to bring a Christ-centered lens to our Bible reading. Where do we see Jesus Christ in these verses? Jesus did say the whole Bible is about him,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)
What in this passage helped you see more of Jesus and his cross, or what moved you to love him more?
4. What practical thing is Spirit prompting you to do from the passage?
Identify and commit to something you sense the Spirit is leading you to do in obedience to this text. Make it specific enough that you can do it this week, and make it personal enough that you yourself can do it. A lot of Bible study, both privately and in a group, falls short of applying the text to our personal lives. One of the great things about studying the Bible in a group is that there’s built-in accountability. If you talk out loud with others through steps to take toward greater obedience, you have other people around you to follow up and ask you how those particular things are going.
5. Who could you share what you’ve found with?
Write down the name of someone who might benefit from hearing what you’ve seen in the Bible. It could be something that you share with another believer, or it might be a way of sharing the gospel with a not-yet believer in your life. How can you share the joy, peace, and conviction you’ve been given by God with others? Identify a specific person you might connect with in the next week, and think about a time you could bring this particular truth up with them.
6. Why are these verses in the Bible?
We’re trying to summarize God’s purpose in putting these particular words in his book. There are a number of ways to ask this question. Why is this passage in this particular book of the Bible? What might the Bible lose if this passage was left out? What’s the author’s main point? Try to sum up your answer in one sentence.