My Plan of Attack

I am finishing up my first round of studying the book of Esther this week and it has been really good.  I took the time to watch the movie.  Its actually pretty accurate with a few creative licenses.   Here is a little trailer for you to get you excited.  DON'T YOU DARE WATCH THE MOVIE WITHOUT STUDYING IT FIRST! :)

  I am not done because I am going to take a few months off and studying it again.  Why?  The first time around I chose to do the Kay Arthur Precept upon Precept study of Esther.  I loved it because precepts makes you slow down and pay attention to the details.  I have learned so much by just slowing down.  I plan on taking a few months off and attacking it again.  The second time I will attack it with  a pen and my favorite type of notebook, the knowledge I gained the first time around, my bible dictionary, my Greek and Hebrew dictionary, and my favorite commentary.  Why twice in the same year?  Why a few months apart? Why the weird method?  Well, ladies...this is how I study the bible.  Let me map out the "why" and "how".

1.)  I pick a study that I want to do.  My go to is Precept upon Precept by Kay Arthur.  I love it because its the most in depth bible study that I have ever done.  It makes you navigate the pages of your bible and think for yourself. 

Here are the whys:

•  I do this especially when I have not spent much time in the book. I have read Esther and know the basic story, but I hadn't spent a ton of time in it.
• I like to be taught.  When I am in town I go to a buble study in town that corresponds to the lessons.  If I am not in town, there are tapes to watch. 
• I learn a lot, get a good foundation for the book, and mark places I would like to go deeper (for next time)

2.)  I will put the book down for a few months

Here are the whys:

• It gives me fresh eyes.  After reading a book over and over you can tend to see again, what you have recently discovered.  I read it again to discover more.  I put it down so I can see more...things I didn't see my first time around.
• Sometimes I will read something similiar in between.  (like in this case I could read Nehemiah or Ezra because Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah  happen in the same era in history (Persian Rule).  This gives me a little more foundation in background and surrounding events.

3.)  I go back with a notebook and a pen.

• I start all over and since I have studied it before I can form an outline to work off of
• I study it like I am getting ready teach it (even if I am not).  Why?  you retain knowledge about a book more when you teach it.  I think you learn more that way too. 
• I stop and look up tons of stuff in the bible dictionary.  I try to connect the dots from other books of the bible that I have read. 

4)  Lastly, I usually listen to podcasts from a pastor/teacher I like listening to.  I usually do this on Saturdays when I have more time.  I have my notebook ready to learn from another.  I don't do this until after I have gone through it the second time.

A visual Image of how I Study the bible is like a Jar of rocks

The first time around I fill the jar with Large rocks.  I learn alot but there are still some gaps when I am done.

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The second time I study it, I pour some more rocks in the gaps

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With each time I read, listen, or teach the book I am filling more "air gaps" in the jar

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The reality is that the jar will never be full in my lifetime.  While I am here on earth I can always be learning more about every book of the bible.  I could read Esther 1000 times and still learn new things.  That is what sets the bible apart from every other book.  Its alive!

P.S. Get Up Dig In is in transition.  I am moving everything over and redesigning the blog.  It will be fully done this week!