Why Keys to Dynamic Bible Study?

 
My Uncle Charlie liked to tell stories when I was little. He particularly enjoyed reciting humorous tales—he was good at it too. One time I laughed so hard at his story that I went backward on the rocking chair and landed on the floor. The techniques he used to grab and hold our attention, and deliver the punch-line, were his mannerisms: the facial expressions and widened eyes at appropriate intervals, the exaggerated use of his hands, and the inflected vocal ranges of his voice. Of course, the story had to be good as well. But it was the liberal garnishing of body and facial movements that made us anticipate the relating of a favorite yarn.

God also likes to tell stories. Although He does not use bodily mannerisms as my Uncle Charlie did, He does use a variety of techniques to grab and hold our attention, and deliver the punch-line. It is these attention-getting techniques that I wish to introduce in this series of articles. I call them “Keys to Dynamic Bible Study.”

This is not the usual “how to” manual. It is a book filled with Biblical narratives. That is, there will be very little verbal instruction identifying each of the techniques God employs. These narratives are retold in such a way that you will comprehend the techniques, or “keys,” that the Biblical author uses by reading the story itself.

Repetition of words or phrases is the basis for all the “Keys” God uses to keep us attentive to His Word. Duplication, however, is not appreciated in currant literature. In fact, you may remember that your English teacher frowned upon a word used over and over again. She would probably circle the offending repeated word on your term paper and then instruct you to find a synonym.

In contrast, the Hebrew writer depended on the repeated term to entice the listener to pay attention while the story was being told. In other words, as Moses, the priests, or the prophets read the Scriptures aloud, the people anticipated that one or more words would be repeated. Thus, they paid closer attention to the Word—which is exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted. When you begin reading the Bible with the “Keys to Dynamic Bible Study” that you will learn from this book, you will pay closer attention to the Word—which is exactly what the Holy Spirit wants.

~Barbara