Embrace God’s Word: BIG-small-BIG Approach

How can we engage the Bible in a way so we will continue to be a lifelong life-learner and doer?

Reading consecutively through the NT and OT is good. So is memorizing Scripture verses in key areas. However, the best way I have discovered to really get one book after another under our belt is to soak in one book at a time through BIG-small-BIG learning.

When my family pulls out a jigsaw puzzle, we first focus on the corner pieces and outside border to lay the framework. Second, we then fill in the details of the inside pieces, one key color after another. Finally, we look at the puzzle again as a whole in light of the picture on the box to be sure the parts fits together with the whole.“BIG-small-BIG.”

“BIG” – Survey (grasping the panoramic view of the interconnected whole). Survey the book by reading it rapidly and repeatedly regardless of verse or chapter, as you would any book. When the church received a book of the NT, for instance, Philippians, what do you think they did? Gathered the believers together to read it aloud, probably repeatedly. Our first shift in thinking must be to begin with the whole, rather than with isolated parts. Without the big-picture, our minds dislike bits and scraps.

“small” – Analyze (understanding the nuances of the individual parts). Then analyze the chapters, one after another. Many ways exist to study. From my study of a number of books on how to study the Bible, I blended the best and simplest ways to study in five-week long “DiscipleMaking Companions,” very user friendly, yet effective (free download at www.JimFredericks.com). Read the passage daily and soak in it. As we inquire into the details of the parts, we recognize that this part participates in the whole, of this book and also of the entire Scripture.

 

Like with the Trinity (one God, and three distinct persons), we keep the indivisible whole firmly in mind, even while we explore the uniqueness of each member. Each Christian not only has the right, but the ability and responsibility to interpret Scripture for ourselves. We are able because our Resident Tudor, the Holy Spirit, lives within.

“BIG” – Synthesize (re-connecting individual parts into the dynamic whole). Finally, synthesize by rapidly reading the whole again as we reassemble the parts. Modify your view of the whole or the individual parts where necessary since they mutually unpack each other.

This interconnectedness between “BIG” and “small” is a force releasing life. A failure to see this simple plan leads to much of the failure to understand Scripture today. As we bring our study of Scripture into alignment with this natural sense of BIG-small-BIG learning, much of the weariness of studying this Book of books will disappear.

This is Reflection #23 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com