This Bible study method is ideal for narrative (or story) segments, such as the history portions of the Old Testament, the gospels, and Acts. It is centered on the story, which may be a whole chapter in the Old Testament stories, or smaller segments in the gospels and Acts. You would read the story, then ask the five “W” questions: who, what, where, when, and why.
This practice helps gather details of the story passage so it becomes more memorable than a quick read could give you. You’ll discover hidden details you would normally miss with a casual reading. Let’s see how these words can help you get more meaning out of the Bible passage.
Who. Who are the main people in the story (their names or titles)? Who are the speakers? (their names or titles). Who are the people spoken to (their names or titles)? Who are the rest of the people, if any are mentioned? If it isn’t clear who the people are in the story, you will have to back up to the previous story. They may have been mentioned earlier in the chapter or in a previous chapter.
Extra credit. If their names are given, where else are they found in Scripture? What extra details do you learn about them there? If they have titles (like “Sadducees” or “scribes”), what more can you learn about them?
What. What are they talking about? What is the key event in the story? What are the most-repeated or key words in the story? These words are used to point the reader to the main message, such as “joy” or “believe.” What is the main point of the story?
Extra Credit. What does this story teach me about God or the gospel?
Where. Where does the narrative take place (name of the place: country, city, location)? Where were the main characters before this story, and where are they in the next story? Do this to follow their movements.
Extra credit. Where else in Scripture does the place name appear, and what significant events happened there? There may be a connection between the location and a person in the story. Also, try to find the place(s) on a map.
When. When did this event take place? It might be noted as the second year of a king’s reign, the fourth watch, or time of day or night. “Therefore,” “Then” or “And” at the beginning of the story might tie the story directly to the previous story to link up a sequence of events.
Extra credit. Look up the timeline of the story’s book in relation to other books in history, biblical and otherwise. Some study Bibles will include this information.
Why. Why were these characters brought together, or why did this event happen? Did God arrange for the event to happen to influence some other event, or as a consequence of an earlier happening?
Extra credit. Why was the book written? Some study Bibles will give this information. How does this information influence the understanding of the answers above? All this information can influence what applications you draw from the story and how it shapes your meditations and observations. This study method can support the other forms of study methods we covered. This approach will give you more information to help you in your meditations, and find out God’s will for you. It’s never too late to study the Word of God in greater depth!
I pray this mini-series on Bible study methods will enrich your own times of study and meditation.
