Disciples Bible Study

Core Principles

Contextual Integrity
Entire books of the Bible are read over the course of, typically, 1-5 weeks depending on the length of the book. This helps to keep the big picture context in mind even while focusing on a smaller Focus subsection. Context is very important for proper interpretation and application. Some reading plans make it difficult to keep context in mind due to moving the focus from one book to another from day to day. In contrast to this, using the DBSJournal you read the whole context and the Focus section several times within a single week.

Repetitive Reflection
As noted, reading the Focus section of Scripture through multiple times makes good sense according to principles of learning that encourage repetition and reflection. Processing information effectively requires multiple exposures over a short period of time. At the close of the week, further reinforcement of Biblical learning occurs through either review of previous weeks journal entries or live sharing within a DBS group setting. This is the balanced middle ground between a quick reading of Scripture such as a Bible-in-a-Year plan, or the more indepth and slower verse by verse exposition plan. While both of these are of value, in terms of making more fruitful impact on transformational application and life change, the DBSJournal is arguably more effective.

Guided Discovery
While we gain wonderful insights from the teaching of others, either live or through written/visual/audio media, interacting with Scripture directly is necessary to explore, understand, reflect, and apply Scripture under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. By having a smaller Focus section of Scripture each week, we are able to slow down enough to listen to God speak to us through his word. Through the DBSJournal you are moved from general observations about the text to exploring what the passage teaches us about people, God, and Jesus. Then, like all good Bible study, it moves you toward personal application.