Welcome back to the Know and Do podcast, where we train people to know God deeply and live out their faith to bring Him glory. In today’s episode, we shift our focus from learning new interpretive tools to documenting and organizing your study insights. You’ll learn practical steps for capturing your Bible study thoughts on paper, ensuring that your study is thorough and structured in a way that helps you understand and apply God’s Word.

We recap the tools you’ve learned over the last few weeks and introduce a method called “ETS” (Essence of the Text in a Sentence), which helps you break down your study into actionable steps.

Key Takeaways:

Purpose of Bible study: We study the Bible to know God, as highlighted in Psalm 111:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Choosing a book to study: Start with a book of the Bible and follow its structure, avoiding random passages each day.

The ETS Method

1. Label your notes for the day (passage and date)

2. Read the text and pray

3. Write the Essence of the Text in a Sentence (ETS, the main idea)

4. Copy a verse that summarizes the text

5. Interpret the text

6. Apply the text

7. Write a prayer

 8. Title your entry and add it to your table of contents

Encouragement: Don’t be intimidated by the process! Whether you write a few lines or several pages, the goal is not perfection but growth in your relationship with God. Bible study is about knowing God better, and as you practice, your study entries will grow more profound and meaningful.

Call to Action: For podcast listeners, check the show notes for extra materials, including sample passages and questions to help you practice these skills. Join us next week as we explore how to bring God’s Word into our daily lives.

Notebook Recommendation

.Handout