Introduction to our study in Mark

Our time in Mark will be slightly different to our time in Judges.  We will be taking smaller chunks of scripture and delving deep.  However, due to this I hope to be posting more often.  We will be using a Bible study method by Priscilla Shirer to do that.  Priscilla Shirer is a Bible study teacher and speaker from the States and you can check her out at http://www.goingbeyond.com/ if you are interested.

Priscilla Shirer uses the 5 P's of Bible Study.  This is explained below from her website at Going Beyond.  As I said we will be using this method as we work through the Gospel of Mark.


AS YOU BEGIN YOUR TIME WITH THE LORD EACH DAY

1. Position yourself to hear from God. Engaging in the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude always assists in hearing God through the Scriptures.

AS YOU LOOK INTO THE PASSAGE YOU ARE STUDYING

2. Pore over the passage and Paraphrase the major points. Take time to fully engage in each verse you read. Don’t just skim over it; meditate on it. Then paraphrase what you’ve read from each verse either in your workbook or a separate journal.

3. Pull out the spiritual principles. Close your Bible and look at the paraphrases you’ve written down. For each one, record the spiritual principle that it is designed to convey. Is there a command to follow? Is there a promise to heed? Is there an attribute of God revealed?

4. Pose the question. For each of the spiritual principles you’ve pulled out, form a personally directed question. In your daily living, are you following the command, heeding the promise, depending on that attribute of God? As you ask yourself questions from the text, you will find a divine dialogue begin to develop as the Holy Spirit brings answers, conviction, and challenge.

5. Plan obedience and Pin down a date. Consider what God would have you do as a result of the conversation you’ve had with Him and then plan to obey Him. If possible, pin down a date so that you can remain accountable.