Warring with His Sovereign Promises, Part One

Welcome back everyone! Thanks for joining me on the journey of modeling how I do word studies for deeper revelation in my identity and authority in Christ. (Whew. That was a mouthful, y'all.) Without further ado, let's jump right in. You've probably been waiting long enough. I encourage you to participate with me. This way, if you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments below.

step one - choose your verse(s)

If you're new to word studies, I highly advise you only do one verse at a time. Depending on how your brain works, and how you learn, doing a word study can be one of the most intense, time-consuming parts of your quiet time. There are plenty of bunny trails you could walk through as you start digging into meanings, lexicon, context, history, etc. That's a bit of the fun part for me. I'm teacher-wired that way. (Surprisingly, teacher is actually NOT my motivational design gift. More on the MDGs in future blog posts.)

For this series, I chose Joshua 1:9 (ESV). Once you have chosen your verse...

Step Two - Write it Out & Mark it Up

Make sure you have a good-sized notebook. My preference are the ones that are the same as regular wide-ruled spiral notebook pages. I take a lot of notes. I make no apologies about my notetaking and administration awesomeness.

I also recommend that you have different colored pens and/or highlighters. Having certain things organized by colors actually helps your brain associate that particular topic with that specific color. It's like a number by colors map for your brain to follow.

Write out the verse, leaving a blank row in between each line. You'll thank me later for the extra space in-between, I promise.

Now, underline the words that tickle your brain. When you read it to yourself, what words do you find yourself emphasizing? Are there any words that you're unsure of the meaning? Which words do you find yourself asking questions on - whether it's context, history, meaning, or lexicon (Hebrew/Greek meanings)?

Here are the ones that tickled my brain during worship this morning:

Step three - gather your study materials

I said what I said. You're doing a literal word study. Of course, you're going to need some tools and resources to start with. Here are some of the books, mobile apps* and miscellaneous tools that I use when I do word studies.

• Strong's Concordance*

• Vine's Dictionary*

• Merriam-Webster's app or website for Dictionary & Thesaurus

• Blue Letter Bible: app or desktop website

I've downloaded a Strong's Concordance app and the Merriam-Webster's app on my phone for word studies on the go. I use them if I have a question during a sermon, conference, etc., and I want to look something up on the spot.

If you're a coffee drinker, get yourself a nice cup of coffee. (I like mine with one packet of Truvia and a nice amount of creamer, thanks.) If you don't drink coffee, make yourself some tea. Get nice and comfy with your materials, tools and notebook around you. We're about to dive deep!

Step Four - Break Down the Words That You've Underlined

I personally like to start with Strong's. Getting into the Hebrew and/or Greek original meanings has helped me understand the context it was used during that time. I've been fascinated with how multi-faceted some of the original meanings are. There are massive gold nuggets hidden in the original meanings. I've found that understanding the root meaning/definition helps bring the logos word into a rhema revelation. I'm able to connect the roots to today's relevance in my life, times and seasons.

Homework, if you choose to accept

Work on Step Four. Use the various apps, websites and books that I've recommended. If you have others you like, please mention them in the comments below. I love when we can share resources! Part Two in this series will be me sharing what I jotted down.

Feel free to share your homework in the comments below. You'd be surprised how it might trigger revelation and thought in others. You might have stated or found something in a way that someone else didn't see.

As you meditate on His word, I pray that you begin to receive an even deeper revelation of the application of this word over your life. He has wonderful plans for your life. I look forward to walking them out with you!

In Christ,

Alex Flint

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*Mobile apps - I have an Android phone. All apps I recommend are based off the Google Play Store listing.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

*I am not affiliated with, nor receive sponsorship from, any mobile/Google Play Store apps or websites I've recommended above. I just find them very useful.