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TheBibleiscomposedofnumeousstoiesofmenandwomenandtheielation-
shipswiththelovingGodwhoceatedthem.Tostudythelivesoftheseindividuals
ismeaningfulanduplifting.Wecanleanbothwhattodoandwhattobebylook-
ingatthepositiveattibutesofhundedsofpeoplewhofillthepagesofSciptue.
Wecanalsogainvastknowledgeandwisdombyobsevingandavoidingthete-
mendousfailuesandnegativeaspectsinthelivesofpeoplementionedinGod’s
Wod.
Definition
With the Biogaphical Method of Bible Study you select a biblical peson and
eseachtheSciptuestostudyhisohelifeandchaacte.Youtytobecome
thooughlyacquaintedwiththatpeson’sinnelifeandfindoutwhatmadeita
spiitualsuccessofailue.AskGodtohelpyouthinkandfeelwithhimoheso
thatyoustudybecomesalife-changingexpeience.
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THe BiOgRaPHicaL
MeTHOD Of BiBLe sTUDY
How to Find Out What MadeBible People Tick
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Theapplicationofthisstudycomeswhenyouexamineyouownlifeinlightof
thestudyandaskGodtohelpyoumakepositivechaactechangesinyouweak
aeas.ThiswillesultinChistiangowthandmatuity.
the imPortance of BiBle PeoPle
PeopleaeimpotanttoGod.Weaemadeinhisimageandlikeness,andtheBible
isaecodofhisdealingswithmenandwomen.ItisalsoaevelationofGodhim-
self,bothto peopleandthrough people.ToundestandtheBiblefully,youmustget
toknowthepominentpeopleoftheSciptues.
Step One — Select the Bible Person You Want to Study
Step twO — Make a List of All the References about That Person
Step three — Write Down First Impressions (First Reading)
Step FOur — Make a Chronological Outline (Second Reading)
Step Five — Get Some Insights into the Person (Third Reading)
Step Six — Identify Some Character Qualities (Fourth Reading)
Step Seven — Show How Other Bible Truths Are Illustrated in the Person’s Life
Step eight — Summarize the Main Lesson(s)
Step nine — Write Out a Personal Application
Step ten — Make Your Study Transferable
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The.Biographical.Method.of.Bible.Stu
MuchoftheOldTestamentis innaativefom,descibingthelivesofmany
people.ThebookofGenesis,foexample,evolvesaoundsixgeatnames:Adam,
Noah,Abaham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph.TheapostlePaulsaidthatGodgaveusthe
stoiesintheOldTestamenttobeexamplestous,fomwhichweshouldleanvaluablelessonsfolivingfohimin thiswold.Paulwote,“Foeveythingthat
waswitteninthepastwaswittentoteachus,sothatthoughenduanceand
theencouagementof theSciptueswemighthavehope”(rom.15:4).Healso
said,“Thesethingshappenedto[thepeopleoftheOldTestament]asexamples
andweewittendownaswaningsfous,onwhomthefulfillmentoftheageshas
come”(1Co.10:11).
TheNewTestamentisabookofinstuctions;theOldTestamentisabookof
illustations, thoughbothTestamentscontain instuctionsandillustations.NewTestamenttuthsaeillustatedintheOldTestament.Oneofthebestwaystostudy
theOldTestamentistostudyitspeople.ThismakestheoldeSciptueseally
comealive.
TheBiblementionsingeateolessedetailmoethan3,000people.When
youhaveleanedthismethodofstudy,youwillhaveopenedthedootoalifetime
ofexciting,fulfillingBiblestudy.Biogaphicalstudiesaeenjoyableandaealsoone
oftheeasiestmethodsfomwhichtofindpesonalapplications.
tools you Will neeD
• StudyBible
• Exhaustiveconcodance
• TopicalBible
• Bibledictionayoencyclopedia
some tiPs for a gooD BiograPhical stuDy
Todoameaningfulbiogaphicalstudy,keepthefollowingpointesinmind.
1.Statwithapesononwhomyoucandoasimplestudy.Beginwithone
aboutwhomtheeisasmallnumbeofefeences.Somebiblicalpeoplecanbe
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studiedinafewhous;othestakeweekstostudy,andsomemajopesonscan
takealifetime.DonotstatdoingthisstudyonapesonsuchasJesus,Moses,
oAbaham.BeginwithsomeminobutimpotantpeoplesuchasAndew,Ban-
abas,oMayofBethany.2.Thesecetofagoodbiogaphicalstudyistolivewiththatpesonduing
thestudy.Walkinhisohesandals.Tytogetinsidetheimindandseehow
theythink,feel,andespondtocicumstances.Attempttoseethingsfomthei
pointofview,heawiththeieas,minglewiththeifiends,andfightwiththei
enemies.Become thatpesonwhileyouaestudyingthem.Thisisonlypossibleif
youspendmuchtimewiththatpeson,eading,andeeadingalltheBibleefe-
encesaboutthem.
Afiendofmine,WayneWatts,hasspentalifetimestudyingAbaham.Hehasstudiedthisbiblicalpesonsolongthathehastakenonmanychaacteisticsof
Abaham.Heisageatmanoffaith,asAbahamwas.
3.Becaefulnottoconfusediffeentpeoplewhohavethesamenamewhen
youlookuptheefeencesaboutthem.Youwillhavetobesuethattheveseis
speakingaboutthepesonyouhavechosentostudy.Youwouldnotwanttocon-
fuseJohntheBaptistwithJohntheApostleoJohnMak.Foexample,theBible
showsusthatthefollowingnamesweepopulaandefetodiffeentpeople:
• Zechaiah—30diffeentmen
• Nathan—20men
• Jonathan—15men
• Judas—8men
• May—7women
• James—5men
• John—5men
Thecontextoftheveseswillusuallytellyouwhichpesonisinview.
4.Becaefultofindthevaiousnamesthatmayapplytojustonepeson.Since
theBiblecame outofaHebew-Aamaic-Geekcontext, some people’s names
changedinthediffeentlanguages,inboththeOldTestamentandtheNew.The
apostlePete,foexample,isknownasPete,Simon,Simeon,andCephas.Dan-
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The.Biographical.Method.of.Bible.Stu
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iel’stheefiends,Hananiah,Mishael,andAzaiah,aebetteknownasShadach,
Meshach,andAbednego.Sometimesanamechangecamebecauseofachaacte
change,whichwasthecaseofJacobbecomingIsael.Sobecaefulandfindall
thenamesusedfothesamepesoninyouBiblestudy.5.Stay away fombookswitten aboutbiblical peopleuntilafte youhave
exhaustedeveyBibleefeenceaboutthatpesonandhavedawneveypossible
insightoutofthosetexts.Don’tletaBiblecommentayobyouofthetaskofpe-
sonaldiscoveyopejudiceyouviewsofapeson.Doyouownwokfist,then
checkothesouces.
simPle stePs on Doing a BiograPhical stuDy
TheBiogaphicalStudyFomhas10sections,whichaethe10stepsfodoingthis
study.
Step One Select the Bible Person You Want to Study
Youmightstatoutbyselectingsomeonewhoeithehasaweaknessthatyouhave
oastengththatyouwouldliketodevelop.Chooseapesonwhoselifewillgive
yousomevaluableinsightsintohowyoucanconfommoetoGod’sstandadfo
livingandbecomemoelikeJesusChist.
Step twO Make a List of All the References about That Person
Usingyouefeencetools,findalltheSciptuepassagesyoucanaboutthatpe-
sonandthingselatedtohelife.Thismightincludesuchthingsashebith,majo
eventsofhelife,heaccomplishments,whatothessaidabouthe,andhedeath.
Youwillnotbeabletogetall thenecessay“vitalstatistics”abouteveypeson
youstudy,butfindoutasmuchaboutthemasyoucan.
Alsolookupanyefeencesthatdealwiththehistoicalbackgoundofhelife.
IfyouweestudyingEsthe,youwouldneedtostudythebackgoundofheday:
thePesianEmpie.IfyouweestudyingtheapostlePaul,youwouldhavetostudy
hismissionayjouneys.
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Step three Write Down First Impressions (First Reading)
readthoughtheSciptueefeencesyouhavelistedandmakesomenotes.Wite
out the fist impession youhave of thispeson. Thenwitedownsomebasic
obsevations and impotant infomation youdiscove about himo he. Finally,
listanypoblems,questions,odifficultiesyouwondeaboutasyoueadthese
efeences.
Step FOur Make a Chronological Outline (Second Reading)
Foamajobiblicalpeson,eadalltheefeencesagainandmakeachonologi-
caloutlineofthepeson’slife.Thiswillhelpyougainagoodpespectiveonhis
life,andyouwillseehowdiffeenteventselatetooneanothe.Late,whenyou
studytheeventsassociatedwithhislife,youwillknowinwhatpatofhislifethey
occued.
Fominobiblicalpeopleothoseaboutwhoselivesfewdetailsaegiven,ead
theefeencesandmakeanoutlineonthebasisoftheinfomationyouhave.
Tytoeadalltheefeencesinonesittingandinamodentanslation.This
willhelpyoufeeltheflowofthepeson’slife.Asyouead,lookfoanynatual,
majodivisionsinhisohelife.Thenlookfoandwitedownanypogessions
andchangesofattitudeinthatpeson’slifeastimesgoesby.Foexample,awell-
knowndivisionofMoses’lifeis
• FotyyeasinPhaaoh’scout—leaningtobeasomebody
• FotyyeasintheMidiandeset—leaningtobeanobody
• FotyyeasintheSinaideset—leaningthatGodisSomebody
Thisisaealkeytostudyingthechaactesofthepeopleinvolved.Seehow
GodslowlymoldedandchangedthepeopleohowSatanboughtthemdown.
Step Five Get Some Insights into the Person (Third Reading)
Gobackovetheefeencesagain,andlookfopossibleanswestothequestions
suggestedinappendixB.Byansweingsomeofthesequestions,youshouldget
somehelpfulinsightsintothechaacteofthepesonyouaestudying.
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Step Six Identify Some Character Qualities (Fourth Reading)
Asyoueviewthe efeencesonceagain,use thesuggestedlist ofpositiveand
negativechaacteisticsinappendixCasachecklist.Witeonyoufomopape
eachquality,goodandbad,thatshowsupinthepeson’slife.Giveaveseefe-
encethatshowseachchaacteisticyouhaveobseved.
Step Seven Show How Other Bible Truths Are Illustrated in the Person’s Life
Examinethepeson’slifetoseehowitillustatesothetuthstaughtintheBible.
Foexample,doeshisohelifeshow thepincipleof“youwilleapwhatyou
sow”?Look inthat lifefo illustationsofsomeofthePovebsoofpinciples
taught in the Psalms.Fo instance, youmight ask, “Doeshis life illustate thepomise, ‘Delight youself intheLOrDandhewill giveyouthedesiesofyou
heat’”(Ps.37:4)?Findcoss-efeencesthatillustatewhattheBiblesaysabout
someofthechaacteisticsyoufoundinthispeson’slife.
Step eight Summarize the Main Lesson(s)
Inafewsentenceswiteoutwhatyouthinkisthemainlessonthatistaughto
illustatedbythispeson’slife.Istheeanyonewodthatcoulddescibethatlife?
Whatwashisoheoutstandingchaacteistic?
Step nine Write Out a Personal Application
refetotheDevotionalMethodofstudy(chapte1)fothespecificsofwitingan
application.Inadditiontothepinciplessuggestedthee,youmightaskyouself
thesequestions:
• DidIseeanythingofmyselfinthispeson’slife?
• Didheshowsomeofmyweaknesses?
• Didheevealtomesomeofmystengths?
• Whatimpessedmemostaboutthispeson’slife?
• WheedoIfallshotinthisaea?
• WhatdoIintendtodoaboutit?
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Step ten Make Your Study Transferable
Condensewhatyouhaveleanedintoasimpleoutlinethatwillhelpyouemembe
itandenableyoutoshaeyouconclusionswithothes.Makeit“pass-on-able.”
Askyouself,“Whatcanthispeson’slifemeantoothes?WhatcanIshaethatI
haveleanedthatwouldhelpsomeoneelse?”
Dividetheinfomationintonatualsequencesoftimeand/oeventsandles-
sonsleaned.Usethepogessionsthatyouhavefoundandecoded.Thenthink
ofsomeeasilyemembeedwaystotitleeachsection.Keepthesetitlestueto
themajocontentofeachsection,makinguseofhymes,alliteations,andothe
memoydevices.Useyouimaginationinthislaststep!
AnillustationofatansfeableoutlineofthelifeofBanabasmightlooklikethis:
• He was an investor of money in the lives of chuchmembes (Acts
4:36–37).
• He was the introducer of Saul (late Paul) to the apostles (Acts
9:26–28).
• Hewastheinspector ofthenewchuchatAntioch(Acts11:22–24).
• Hewasaninstructor ofnewChistians,includingPaulandMak(Acts
11:22–26;15:39).
• Hewastheinitiator onthefistmissionayjouney,whichhebeganastheteamleadebutendedasateammembe(Acts13–14).
• Hewasaninterpreter ofthedoctineofsalvationandGod’splanfothe
Gentiles(Acts13–14).
• Hewasinsistent ingivingMakanothechancetobetainedinthegospel
ministy(Acts15:36–39).
conclusion
Inthe10-steppoceduejustgiven,itissuggestedthatyoueadallyouefe-
encesthoughfoutimes.Actually,thisisa.minimum numbe.Themoetimesyou
eviewthepassagesaboutthepesonyouaestudying,themoeyouaegoingto
obseve.(Seetheobsevationsectionsinchapte10ofthisbook.)
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The.Biographical.Method.of.Bible.Stu
1
HOWTOFILLINTHEBIOGrAPHICALSTUDYFOrM
AttheendofthischapteisaBiogaphicalStudyFomthatyoucanepoduceo
useasaguidefowitingonyouownsheetsofpape.Thefomliststhe10steps
aleadydiscussedfodoingthisstudy.
Filling Out the Form
Fillintheblanksofeachofthe10patsasdescibedinthesectionabove.If
youneedmoeoom,usethebackofthefomoallowmoeoomonyouown
pape.
Sample Filled-out Form
SeetheexampleonthelifeofStephenattheendofthischapte.
Assignment
AppendixDpovidesalistofthemajoandminomenandpominentwomenofthe
Bible.Selectfomthoselistsanypeoplewhopaticulalyinteestyou.Ifyouaejust
beginningthismethodofstudy,youmightwanttodothefollowingpeoplefist:
1. MayofBethany
2. Andew
3. Caleb
4. ruth
5. Daniel
For Further Reading
ManybookshavebeenwittenonthemenandwomenoftheBible.Theones
listedheeaesomeofthebetteones.remembe,howeve,nottoeadthebooks
befoedoingyoustudy;doyoustudyfist,thenchecktoseewhatotheshave
discoveedaboutthatpeson.
All.of.the.Women.of.the.Bible.byEdithDeen(HapeSanFancisco)
All.the.Men.of.the.Bible.byHebetLockye(Zondevan)
All.the.Women.of.the.Bible.byHebetLockye(Zondevan)
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The.Complete.Book.of.Who’s.Who.in.the.Bible. byPhilipComfotandWalteElwell(Tyndale)
Her.Name.Is.Woman,.Books.I.and.2,.byGienKassen(NavPess)
Lost.Women.of.the.Bible.byCaolynCustisJames(Zondevan)
Making.of.a.Man.of.God.(onDavid)byAlanredpath(revell)
Men.of.the.Bible.byAnnSpangleandrobetWolgemuth(Zondevan)
New.International.Encyclopedia.of.Bible.Characters,.editedbyPaulGadne(Zondevan)
The.Oxford.Guide.to.People.and.Places.of.the.Bible,.editedbyBuceMetzgeandMichael
Coogan(OxfodUnivesityPess)
Robust.in.Faith.byJ.OswaldSandes(MoodyPess)
Women.of.the.Bible.byAnnSpangleandJeanSysweda(Zondevan)
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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM
1
1. naMe Stephen
2. Scripture reFerenceS
Acts6:3–8:2
Acts11:19
Acts22:20
3. FirSt iMpreSSiOnS anD OBServatiOnS
StephenwasanealyChistianwhohadatemendoustestimonyinthechuch,
wasapowefulpeacheandwitness,andwaswillingtodiefohisfaith.
4. Outline OF hiS Or her liFe
A.Chosenbytheealychuchasaleade—
1. tohelpesolveaconflict(Acts6:5)
2.onthebasisofcetaingodlychaacteistics(Acts6:3,5,8)
B.Hehadawideministy—
1.waitedontables(Acts6:2,5)
2. pefomedmiacles(Acts6:8)
3.peachedandtaughtpowefully(Acts6:10) C.Hewaspesecuted—
1.opposedbyJewsfom“oveseas”(Acts6:9)
2. falselyaccused(Acts6:11)
3.aestedandboughtbefoetheSanhedin(Acts6:12–14)
a. falsewitnessestestifiedagainsthim.
b.defended himself with a masteful eview of O.T. Sciptue (Acts
7:2–53)
c. testifiedtoJesus(Acts7:55–56) d. lynchedbyanangymob(Acts7:57–60)
D.He had aministy afte his death—pesecution caused the chuch to
spead(Acts8:2–4;11:19)
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5. general inSightS (Ass o Qsos)
A.Whywashechosentobealeade?Because—
•HewasfulloftheHolySpiitandwisdom(Acts6:3).
•HewasfulloffaithandtheSpiit(Acts6:5).
•HewasfullofGod’sgaceandpowe(Acts6:8).
•HeknewtheSciptues(Acts7:2–53).
B.Whatwashisesponsetofalseaccusations?He“kepthiscool,”emained
silent,andonlyansweedwhenhewasdiectedtospeakbythehighpiest.
C.AetheeanypaallelswithJesus?Yes,hewasfalselyaccused,demon-
statedloveandconcenfohisaccuses,anddiedan“undeseved”death.
D.Whatwashisattitudetowadhisexecutiones?Hewasfogiving,evento
thepointofpayingthatGodwouldfogivethemfotheisinofmude.
E.Whatweethelong-temesultsofhislife,ministy,anddeath?
•TheyfowadedtheplanofGod.
•HisdeathcausedthedisciplestoscatteandtaketheGospeltoothe
patsofJudea,Samaia,andegionsbeyondPalestineinfulfillmentof
Acts1:8.
•HisdeathalsohelpedbingPaultotheLod.
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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM
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6. character QualitieS iDentiFieD TheBookofActs
• Spiit-filled(6:3,5,10)
• Wise(6:3,10)
• Faithful(6:5)
• AvailabletoGod(6:8)
• Pesistent(6:10)
• Holy(6:15)
• Knowledgeable(chap.7)
• Bold(7:51–53)
• Bave(7:51–53)
• Fogiving(7:60)
• respectedbyothes(8:2)
• AwitnesstoJesus(22:20)
7. BiBle truthS illuStrateD in hiS Or her liFe
• The pesence and comfot of the Holy Spiit in the tials of life (Acts
7:54–55;Hebews13:5–6).
• Falseaccusationsandpesecutionwillcomeintooulives(Acts6:11ff).
• God’s gace is sufficient when we walk with him (Acts 6:10; 1Co.
1:27–31;2Co.12:9).
8. SuMMary OF leSSOnS learneD FrOM hiS Or her liFe
TheoutstandingchaacteisticofStephenwashiscommitmentto theLod
andhiswillingnesstodoanythingfohim,includinggivinguphislife.
Thiscommitmentisseeninthefactthathewasamanwhowalked
withGod(hewas“fulloftheSpiitandwisdom...faith...God’sgaceand
powe”).Hehadageattestimonybefoeothesinthechuch.Hewitnessed
topeoplebothinlifeandindeath.
Hewas,futhemoe,amanoftheWod.HeeallyknewhisBible—theOld
Testament.Hemusthavespenthousstudyingthescollsandthepachments.
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9. perSOnal applicatiOn
IneedtobecomeapesonlikeStephen—apesonoftheWodwhoknows
JesusChistintimatelyandwhoisabletoansweotheswithSciptuewhen
theyaskquestions.Asaesultofthisstudy,Iwillcommitmyselftohavinga
dailyquiettimefoatleast15minutestogettoknowChistbette.Iwillalso
commitmyselftomemoizingtwoSciptueveseseachweeksothatIcan
answepeoplewhoaskmequestions.
10. tranSFeraBle cOnceptS (ways i ca sa s os)
Theconceptsinthisstudythataetansfeable:
A. ThenecessityofapesonalwalkwithJesusChist.Theonlywaywe
canbecomemenandwomenoffaithandwisdomlikeStephenisto
haveadailyquiettimewiththeLod.Stephenhadadynamicwalk
withJesusChist.
B. ThenecessityofbeingintheWodofGodonaegulabasis—Bible
studyandSciptuememoy.IfIamtoknowmyBibleasStephen
did,Ineedtospendqualitytimeinitandbeabletoteachotheshow
todosoaswell.Thisbookisonemeanstohelpmedoso.Ineedto
shaethesemethodswithothes.
C. Thenecessityof couage in times of advesityand pesecution. I
needtopaythatGodwillgivemeboldnesswithothes.
11. SOMeOne with whOM i intenD tO Share thiS StuDy
PatConneandTommyPaute(byemail)
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BiOgRaPHicaL sTUDY fORM
1
1. naMe
2. Scripture reFerenceS
3. FirSt iMpreSSiOnS anD OBServatiOnS
4. Outline OF hiS Or her liFe
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5. general inSightS (Ass o Qsos)
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6. character QualitieS iDentiFieD
7. BiBle truthS illuStrateD in hiS Or her liFe
8. SuMMary OF leSSOnS learneD FrOM hiS Or her liFe