How to Do a Topical Study
Written by Bob Stone
How to Do A Topical Study will help you to do a thorough study and will make it less likely that a
verse or verses are taken out of context and misapplied. The cults are notorious for taking
Scriptures out of context and coming to bizarre interpretations based on their preconceived idea
of what they want the passage to say. This process will help you to avoid that potential.
A.FIRST, IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT.
1.Name the subject of study in contemporary terms.
2.Name the biblical
a.Contemporary
equivalent. example: stressed out, uptight
b.Biblical terms: anxious, worry, fret, anxiety, heavy laden, burdened
3.List biblical synonyms/complementary
a.Fear, cares, burdens
subjects.
b.Salvation, born again, redemption
4.List antonyms/words just the opposite of your subject. For example,
5.Choose from the above list the key words you will concentrate on in
the antonym of a
this study. Try to
B.SECOND, GET
TheDEFINITION
word that is central
OF THEtoKEY
yourWORD(S).
subject.
1.Use English Dictionary
2.Use biblical language tools if available, e.g., Vines
3.Use also the context of references in step three to define the
word.
a.Observe the setting of the words. Does it help you to understand the
b.Observe the use of the same word in other places in the same book.
word? Is the wo
Does the aut
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How to Do a Topical Study
Written by Bob Stone
C.THIRD, LIST ALL REFERENCES WHERE KEY WORDS AND SYNONYMS ARE MENTIONED.
1.Use Topical Bible, e.g., Naves, Zondervan's New Compact
2.Use Exhaustive Concordance
Note: use Exhaustive Concordance, so that you can know which
references use the sa
a.List the key words from the Old and New Testaments
b.List the key similes
D.FOURTH, READ THROUGH ALL REFERENCES.
1.The guidelines:
a.Notice what is1)before
Remember
and that
aftereach
eachScripture
passage. you have listed has a context in
whic
2)Remember this: TOPICAL STUDIES ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT KINDS OF STUDIES TO DO, B
b.Read carefully and with feeling.
c.Remember as
before
you read
you this
drawpassage
any
that it was originally
conclusions,
written
seek to understandwith
the apassage
particular
you
a
2.The things to look for:
a.Warnings?
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How to Do a Topical Study
Written by Bob Stone
b.Promises?
c.Commands?
d.Advice?
e.Conditions?
f. Examples, illustrations?
g.Lists, series, or progression?
E.FIFTH, SUMMARIZE THE CONTEXT OF EACH PASSAGE OR VERSE IN A PHRASE OR SENT
EXAMPLE
Subject: Anxiety/Fretting
Phil. 4:4--Is controlled in an environment of praise.
Phil. 4:5--Gentleness needs to be developed and expressed in relationships.
Phil. 4:5b--Awareness of the Lord's presence is needed.
Phil. 4:6--Is relieved through prayer, petition and thanksgiving.
Phil. 4:8--Right thinking and obedience brings peace.
I Pet. 5:7--Cast anxiety on God because He cares for us.
I Pet. 5:6--Humility is the precondition for the full reception of God's
care and
Psalm 37--Positive steps to overcome worry and fretting.
Psalm 37:8--Fretting leads to sin.
F.SIXTH, LISTAQUESTIONS
summary of
Subject:
YOUR
the questions
OUTLINE
the Fear ofANSWERS.
God
1.What does the fear of God reveal about a person?--Prov. 1:7
2.How do we know if we have a healthy fear of God?--Prov. 8:13
3.How do we gain the awe?--Prov. 9:10
4.What are the benefits of the fear of God?--Prov. 14:26-27; 31:30; 22:4; 16:16; 19:23; 25:14
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How to Do a Topical Study
Written by Bob Stone
G.SEVENTH, OUTLINE AND SUMMARIZE YOUR FINDINGS.
1.Make a simple
a.Combine
outline ofobservations
the observations
that are
of the
similar.
subject.
b.Lay aside those that do not apply.
2.Write a summary of your summaries.
a. A summarySubject:
outline the 1)
Fear
Theofrelationship
God
between wisdom and the fear of God--Prov. 1:7
2)The evidence of a healthy fear of God--Prov. 8:13
3)The acquisition of the fear of God--Prov. 9:10
4)The benefits a)
ofThere
the fear
willofbeGod
security for you and your family--Prov. 14:26-27.
b)There will be honor for the man and woman who fears God-Prov. 31:30; 22:
c)There will be an avoidance of evil--Prov. 16:6.
d)There will be true life and contentment--Prov. 19:33.
e)The Lord will confide in those who fear Him--Ps. 25:4.
b.A summary statement:
A person begins a walk of wisdom when he
or she develops a healthy
H. EIGHTH, FIND
Take
ANfrom
ILLUSTRATION
the following: OF THE SUBJECT.
1.Modern day
2.Reading
3.Personal life
4.Biblical characters, e.g., David
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How to Do a Topical Study
Written by Bob Stone
I. NINTH, RECORD PROBLEMS--THINGS THAT MIGHT ANGER, CHALLENGE, OR MAKE IT HA
1.Don't compromise the truth, just be aware of the roadblocks to its
application. What a
2.This step also alerts you to the necessity to be prayerful when applying
this teaching.
3.This step allows you time to pray about the proper time, tact and setting to share this with others.
J.TENTH, FORM
, e.g.,
PRINCIPLES
"God shares
THAT
His secrets
CAPSULIZE
with THE IMPORTANT
those who POINTS
fear Him."
FROM YOUR STUD
K. ELEVENTH,1.APPLY
How does
THE
this
WORD
apply OR
to our
SUBJECT.
day, e.g., government politics, economics,
b
2.What is the social application?
3.How do we apply what the author said to our own personalities, needs,
families, etc.?
L.TWELFTH, FORMULATE A FINAL OUTLINE OR SUMMARY, THAT INCLUDES ALL THE ABOV
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