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In the Book Synthesis Method of Bible study we will summarize and
condense the lessons learned previously. The word synthesis indicates
the putting together of the discrete items that together compose
a whole; thus in the Book Synthesis Method of Bible study we will
put back together the details we extracted from the book through
our previous two studies.
The Book Synthesis Method of Bible study is the last of three methods
of Bible study that, together, give you an extremely comprehensive
view of each book of the Bible. These three will require the greatest
effort on your part but will ultimately yield the best results when
used properly. Each of the three emphasizes a different aspect of
one overall process of study which are:
Survey - Method 9 - Book Survey Method -in which you will obtain
a detailed overview of a particular book of the Bible
Analysis - Method 10 - Chapter Analysis Method - in which you will
study everything in each chapter in great detail
Synthesis - Method 11 - Book Synthesis Method -in which you will
take what you learned in the previous two study stages and put it
all back together, drawing conclusions as you go and gaining an
appreciation of the whole of the book.
11.1 - Tools
11.1.1 - Bible and several additional modern translations
11.1.2 - Bible dictionary and/or Bible encyclopedia
11.1.3 - Bible handbook, such as Unger's or Halley's
11.1.4 - Old and New Testament surveys
11.1.5 - Cultural contextualization tools
11.2 - Hints
11.2.1 - Have the results of both your Book Survey Method and your
Chapter Analysis Method available and complete, you will need to
refer to them frequently during this study.
11.3 - Steps
Step 1 - Reread the book several times in the same manner as you
did in the Book Survey method
Step 2 - Write out a detailed, final, outline using the preliminary
outline from your Book Survey and the passage summaries from your
Chapter Analysis. These, when coupled with your current readings,
will allow you to put this outline in its final form.
Step 3 - Write down a descriptive book title using the same methods
by which you gave titles to each section in your Chapter Analysis.
The title should be original and define the contents of the book
in as few words as possible.
Step 4 - Make a summary of your insights. You will here summarize
the major and minor themes as well as the conclusions of the book
as you discovered them in the previous two studies. Avoid commentaries
for the moment as you are attempting to arrive at your own understanding
of the Bible. Feel free to add new ideas you have discovered during
the readings in step one.
Step 5 - Write out a personal application. Review all applications
listed in your Book Survey and Chapter Analysis studies, noting
any which you have not yet completed and making definite plans to
complete them in the near future if not immediately. If all are
complete select other potential applications and make plans to implement
these in your life as soon as possible.
Step 6 - Share the results of your study with other. The Christian
faith is unique in that each of us is individually saved through
Christ Jesus, yet our carrying out of that faith is best done in
a community of believers. Time and again we as Christians are referred
to in the New Testament as the Body of Christ and we are encouraged
to build each other up in the faith:
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and
fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight
of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
One of the ways in which the building up other Christians takes
place is to share with them what you have learned of God, be it
through Bible studies such as this or illuminations from the Holy
Spirit.
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