THE ABIDE METHOD

GETTING STARTED

If you're ready to get started with this Bible study method, follow the steps below. Don't worry
about doing them all perfectly, or feeling like you must complete each step in this order. Use this
method to guide your time and provide a general framework, but know that it can be fluid enough
to meet the needs of the time you have and the text you are studying.

Before starting, gather your materials:

Scripture: You can write directly in a Bible (like a journaling Bible) or we like to print out the book
or passage we're studying on paper in a large font (10-12 pt.), double spaced. You can search
what you'll be studying here, and copy and paste it into a word document to print.

Worksheets/Extra Paper: To help guide your study and give you room to write down your
thoughts, we designed worksheets to go with The Abide Method. Print out a handful (20-50) for
you to use each time you're in the text, or feel free to grab an empty notebook or loose leaf paper
to keep it simple!

Binder/Folder: To stay organized, a binder or folder is helpful to keep everything together.

Pens/Pencils/Markers: Some people like to just use one great pen, others use a whole slew of
multi-colored colored pencils, pens or markers. We noted a few of our favorites here, but you use
a system that works for you.

Reference Materials/Books: Everything else can be accessed online, or you can slowly work
towards building up a small library of the resources you find most helpful.

Gather a group: (Optional, but encouraged!) Remember that fallible human minds have a hard
time discerning truth in isolation. Consider grabbing a group of women to study the same book or
passage at the same time. Then, meet once or twice a month, start a Voxer conversation, or begin
an email chain to discuss what you're learning or even take time to listen to relevant teaching
together.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

We need God's help to understand his Word. Before reading and studying the Bible, always pray that
the Holy Spirit would come and work during your time. Ask that God would open your eyes to new
truths, to see God as holy as he is, and for His character, purposes and plans to come alive as you
read. Of course, you can structure your prayer time in anyway you wish during your study - feel free
to pray all throughout the study or just at the beginning and end – however the Spirit leads. But by all
means, start with prayer, asking God for help as you strive to uncover truths in The Word.
BUILD A FRAMEWORK AND CONTEXT

When you're first starting to dive into a new book of the Bible, start by reading the book's
introduction in a study Bible (We personally like the ESV Study Bible) or find a trusted commentary.
Read a bit about who the author was, look at the maps and timelines, and research the setting, people
and culture when the text was originally written. Basically, get a feel for the historical and cultural
context of the text. This will help you to discover what would the text have sounded like to the
original hearers.

Start by answering the questions on an extra sheet of paper or in a notebook:

1. Who wrote it?

Once you have some initial framework and context for the book you're about to begin studying,
begin with Observation. You'll spend a significant amount of time in this portion of the study, but this
is the part that will truly stretch and grow you to understand what the Bible actually says, and will
build the basis for good theology and an understanding of who God is.

OBSERVATION: WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY?

Read the text at least once all the way through for comprehension. (The "pros" recommend doing
this once a week for the short books, and two or three times for the longer books during the
duration of the study.)

Read again, this time working through the text slowly and deliberately, marking:
Key words (Feel free to make up your own markings, or check out this robust list on
Precepts-style markings.)
Time, locations and people
Repeated words, ideas and phrases
Transition words (but, therefore, because, likewise, if/then ...)
Lists (Make a note when the author makes several points in a row.)
Contrasts and comparisons
Commands

As you work through the text, note any questions you have about the meaning of certain words,
or of the text in general.

For those of you who are more familiar with studying the Bible, we would encourage you at this
point to mark major themes in the text, listed below. If this type of study is brand-new to you,
feel free to move to the next step and add this in as you become more confident.
 Gospel Truths
New Self / Identity
Great Commission
Great Commandment
The Church
Redemptive Promises
"Types" of Jesus

Get out the dictionary. Look up the difficult words you don't know the meaning to. But also look
up the keywords in the text (like holy, sanctification, abide), even if you think you know what they
mean. You'll be surprised with what you discover! Note the appropriate meaning for the passage
and any related words.

Consult different translations for clarity and deeper understanding. (If you don't have hard-copy
favorites on hand, we recommend Bible Gateway. Our go-to translations include ESV, NIV, CSB,
RSV and NASB.)

Look up related scripture (also known as cross-references). In some Bibles, related scriptures are
listed in the middle column of the Bible, otherwise, you can use Study Light to do a word search.
You can also use Blue Letter Bible for checking on specific word and seeing where the original
Hebrew/Greek word was used in other scriptures (This cross-referencing, but going even another
layer deep to see the original word).

Once you have a clearer picture of what the text says, move to Interpretation.

INTERPRETATION: WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN?

Ask yourself: What would the original hearers have thought? It's critical to linger here before
considering what this passage means to you today.

Challenge yourself to evaluate how this passage fits within the greater theme of the Bible:
Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation.

Paraphrase: Rewrite the text in your own words. (This is challenging and hard, but the wrestle will
be worth the effort.)

Consult reliable commentaries. (An easy one is the ESV Study Bible. Here is a great list for the top
commentaries for every book of the Bible or check out Precepts Austin and Blue Letter Bible,
both which have online commentaries and sermons - but there are many great options. Just be
sure to do your research to make sure they are founded on good theology.)

After you've discovered the meaning of the text, move to Application.

Answer these questions:

What does this passage tell you about who God is?
What does this passage tell you about your sin and need for a Savior? How does it change
how you view yourself?
How can these truths transform your life today?

Remember that all actions begin as thoughts and desires of the heart. How do these
truths transform what you love, worship and value most?
In turn, how will these renewed desires change the way you respond to God and others?
Are there practical things God is leading you to do differently as your heart changes?
What might these truths look like in action? Is the Holy Spirit bringing to mind any
specific people, circumstances, conversations or sins for your prayer, repentance and
reconciliation?

TAKE IT FURTHER

After a careful inspection of the text, here are some ways to respond to what God is teaching you:

Journal or write down some of these conclusions for further reflection and meditation.
Share what you learned with a spouse or close friend.
Pray, repent, and ask God for what you need.

*As we mentioned at the beginning, we highly recommend you strive to discuss your process and
what you're learning to a group of believers. Even the most mature believers still have many
questions after studying the Bible in this way! Discussing themes, questions, observations, and
conclusions with other women can illuminate things you missed and challenge your hidden biases.
DI
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THE ABI
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THE ABIDE M ETHOD
QUESTI
ONSFOR BI
BLESTUDY

OBSERVE
Whowasthi
swr i
ttento?
Whati
shappeni
ngi nt
hepassage?
Whenandwheredidthist
akeplac
e?
Whydi
dtheauthorwritethi
s?

INTERPRET

Whatwoul dt heori
ginalhearershavet hought?
Howdoest hisfitinwi t
ht hegreaterstoryoftheBi
ble?
Arethereotherpartsofs cr
ipturethathelpyou
underst
andt hispas
sage?

W ITH THESE TRUTHS IN M IND:

APPLY

Whatdoest
hist
ell
youaboutwhoGodis?
Whatdoest
hist
ell
youaboutyours
inandneedf
ora
Sa
vior
?
Howmi
ghtt
hes
etr
uthst
rans
for
myourl
if
etoda
y?

PRAY