Following my message on Sunday on studying scripture, I thought I’d share some tips on how to get the most out of your scripture study.  So here are 12 questions to ask when studying scripture, taken from Josh McDowell’s Guide to Understanding Scripture.

1. Are there things that are alike or similar? – Does the passage make a comparison between two things or show two similar encounters?
2. Are there things that are different? – Does the passage show a contrast or show contrasting encounters?
3. Are there things repeated? – Is a word or phrase repeated?
4. Is there cause and effect? – Look for words like “because”, “for”, and “therefore.”
5. Is there movement from general to specific? – Does the passage show details of a general theme?
6. Is there progression? – Is there a story or movement in a storyline?
7. Are there any questions or answers? – Does the passage ask a question?  Does it answer a question?
8. Is there a problem and a solution? – Does the passage present a problem and then offer a solution?
9. Is there emphasis by time spent on a topic? – Does the passage delve on one topic/story more than another?
10. Are there “connectors”? – Look for words like “if”, “and”, “but”, “since”, etc.  These words show structure in a passage.
11. Are there commands? – Does the passage give a specific command or rule?
12. Are there promises? – Does the passage show a promise from God?

Peace seems to get a lot of play in our modern culture.  Everyone seems to be searching for inner peace, usually meaning a search for a way to get what we want and not feel guilty about it.  We tend to define peace in terms of an absence of war and conflict, and to a part this is true.  But the peace that is spoken of in scripture and really promised to us by God is more than just a lack of conflict, but a presence of contentment and rest.  But how, in our hectic lives of today, do we find this kind of peace?  Here are 12 ways for us to slow down and learn to experience God’s peaceful presence in our lives.

1. Turn off – Turn off the TV, phone, computer, radio, etc.  Learn to live within stillness and silence.  What would you really miss if you didn’t get to watch the latest reality TV show?  Take time to unplug from the constant barrage of media that surrounds us.
2. Be quiet – Don’t feel the pressure to have a response or comment on everything.  Be content with letting others have the last word.
3. Wait – Take the long line at the grocery store.  Learn that waiting in line won’t really kill you.
4. Lose track of time – Take off your watch so that you are not constantly looking to fit life into a timeline or schedule.
5. Do it by hand – Wash the dishes, weed the flower beds, sweep the floor – take your time doing chores and see them as moments of stillness in a busy life.
6. Play – play with your kids.  Get on the floor and pretend or color a picture.  Throw a ball.  Enjoy your kids.
7. Take a walk in the park – get out and enjoy nature.  Go for a stroll in the shade.
8. Go fish – or take up knitting or do a crossword.  Find an activity that you can do alone that is not competitive and gives you freedom to let your mind roam.
9. Write a note – or write in a journal.  Tell someone thanks or just write down your thoughts.
10. Doodle – just draw for drawing sake!
11. Read scripture – try the psalms.  Don’t try to tear it apart, just enjoy God’s word!
12. PRAY – spend time in silence with God and ask that He will bring you peace!