This way is beginning to transform my life and it will transform yours also. Try it! Actually it’s not new, it’s just that so few people do this type of Bible study. George Whitefield, perhaps the greatest evangelist after the Apostle Paul, used this method with remarkable results in his preaching and life. I am using Arnold Dallimore, “George Whitefield” as my reference. For more on how to ignite your devotional life, see GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL 

1.He read a portion of the Bible in English

He studied the Bible and also read the New Testament in the original Greek as well. Most of us will not be able to do the latter but we can look at different English versions to ensure we get the range of possible translations of the verses.

2. He looked at Matthew Henry’s Commentary

This was the famous Puritan Bible Commentary of his day, and it is still very accessible but we can look at any helpful commentary that will shed more light on the text.

So far this is nothing new in Bible study. But the next two things, few Christians do.

3. He prayed over every line and word of the portion of Scripture

I think most Christians use the Bible to pray over, But the difference with Whitefield is that he prayed over every word. This means a profound understanding of the text and a deep commitment to prayer. This took time to do. Do we do this?

4. He prayed UNTIL it became part of himself

This is most unusual part of his method of Bible study. Whitefield was not satisfied with just understanding the Biblical text, it had to live in him. 2 Tim 3:16 says:

“All Scripture is God-breathed”

So it has life. It’s not just doctrine. Whitefield prayed UNTIL he began to experience its impact in his life.

No wonder when he preached it was said that the Scripture came out of him as a torrent and full of life. This was not like the dry teachings of other preachers, but the Scriptures preached with power and as seen in Whitefield’s own life.

Amazingly he repeated this method of Bible study all day long between his preachings and other duties (see Howell Harris’ comment Dallimore Vol 1 P.265). This shows a burning commitment to the Scripture that few show today. It also demonstrates that the intensive study of the Bible is vital for our Christian lives.

We need to make more space for it in our lives. I have personally cut out all television and much internet time to make space for what is more important, the reading and imbuing of the Scriptures.

What to do now?

So there are three things that we can change about our Bible study:

• Read much more, every day
• Pray over every portion read, not just at the end
• Pray UNTIL the verses become fire in our hearts and begin to impact us

See also FIRE OF GOD: OUR GREATEST NEED on the power of the Word of God in our lives.