It is impossible to make a rule that will apply to everyone as to the amount of time that shall be given each day to the study of the Word. I know many busy people, including not a few labouring men and women, who give an hour a day to Bible study, but if one cannot give more than fifteen minutes a great deal can be accomplished. Wherever it is possible the time set apart for the work should be in the daylight hours. The very best time is in the early morning hours. If possible lock yourself in with God alone.

There are four important suggestions to make regarding Topical Study of the Bible.

First:

Be systematic. Do not take up subjects for study at random. Have a carefully prepared list of the subjects you wish to know about, and need to know about, and take them up one by one, in order. If you do not do this, the probability is that you will have a few pet topics and will be studying these over and over until you get to be a crank about them, and possibly a nuisance. You will know much about these subjects, but about many other subjects equally important you will know nothing. You will be a one-sided Christian.

Second:

Be thorough. When you take up a subject do not be content to study a few passages on this subject, but find just as far as possible every passage in the Bible on this subject. If you find the Textbook incomplete make additions of your own to it.

Third:

Be exact. Find the exact meaning of every passage given in the Textbook on any subject. The way to do this is simple. In the first place note the exact words used. In the next place get the exact meaning of the words used. This is done by finding how the word is used in the Bible. The Bible usage of the word is not always the common use of today. For example, the Bible use of the words "sanctification" and "justification" is not the same as the common use. Then notice what goes before and what comes after the verse. This will oftentimes settle the meaning of a verse when it appears doubtful. Finally see if there are any parallel passages. The meaning of many of the most difficult passages in the Bible is made perfectly plain by some other passages that throws light upon them. Then parallel passages are given in the margin of a good reference Bible and still more fully in "The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge," a volume worthy of a place in the library of every Bible student.

Fourth:

Arrange the results of your topical study in an orderly way and write them down. One should constantly use pen and paper in Bible study. When one has gone through the Textbook on any subject, he will have a large amount of material, but he will want to get it into usable shape. The various passages given on any topic in the Textbook are classified, but the classification is not always just the one best adapted to our individual use. Take for example the subject "Prayer." The classification of texts in the topic is very suggestive, but a better one for some purposes would be:

1. Who Can Pray so that God Will Hear?
2. To Whom to Pray.
3. For Whom to Pray.
4. When to Pray.
5. Where to Pray.
6. For what to Pray.
7. How to Pray.
8. Hindrances to Prayer.
9. The Results of Prayer.

The passages given in the Textbook would come under these heads. It is well to make a trial division of the subject before taking up the individual passages given and to arrange each passage as we take it up under the appropriate head. We may have to add to the divisions with which we began as we find new passages. The best classification of passages for any individual is the one he makes for himself, although he will get helpful suggestions from others.

There are some subjects that every Christian should study and study as soon as possible. We give a list of these:

• Sin
• The Atonement (of the Blood of Christ)
• Justification
• The New Birth
• Adoption
• Sanctification
• Holiness
• Assurance
• The Flesh
• Cleansing
• Faith
• Repentance
• Prayer
• Thanksgiving
• Praise
• Love:
  • To God
  • To Jesus Christ
  • To Christians
  • To all men
• The Future Destiny of Believers
• The Future Destiny of the Wicked:
  • Punishment of the Wicked
  • Death of the Wicked
• The Character of Christ
• The Resurrection of Christ
• The Ascension of Christ
• The Second Coming of Christ:
  • The fact,the manner, the purpose, the results, the time
• The Reign of Christ
• The Holy Spirit
  • Who and
  • What He is;
  • His Work
• God.
  • His Attributes
  • and Work
• Grace
• Messianic Prophecies
• The Church
• The Jews
• Joy
• The Judgment
• Life
• Peace
• Perfection
• Persecution

First:

Select the chapters you wish to study. It is well to take a whole book and study the chapters in their order. The Acts of the Apostles (or the Gospel of John) is a good book to begin with. In time one may take up every chapter in the Bible, but it would not be wise to begin with Genesis.

Second:

Read the chapter for today's study five times. It is well to read it aloud at least once. The writer sees many things when he reads the Bible aloud that he does not see when he reads silently. Each new reading will bring out some new point.

Third:

Divide the chapters into their natural divisions and find headings for them that describe in the most striking way their contents. For example, suppose the chapter studied is 1 John 5. You might divide in this way:

1. The Believer's Noble Parentage (vs 1-3)
2. The Believer's Glorious Victory (vs 4,5)
3. The Believer's Sure Ground of Faith (vs 6-10)
4. The Believer's Priceless Possession (vs 11,12)
5. The Believer's Blessed Assurance (v 13)
6. The Believer's Unquestioning Confidence (vs 14,15)
7. The Believer's Great Power and Responsibility (vs 16,17)
8. The Believer's Perfect Security (vs 18,19)
9. The Believer's Precious Knowledge (v 20)
10. The Believer's Constant Duty (v 21)

In many cases the natural divisions will be longer than in this chapter.

Fourth:

Note the important differences between the Authorized Version and the Revised and write them in the margin of your Bible.

Fifth:

Write down the leading facts of the chapter in their proper order.

Sixth:

Make a note of the persons mentioned in the chapter and of any light thrown upon their character. For example, your chapter is Acts 16. The persons mentioned are:

• Timothy
• Timothy's mother
• Timothy's father
• The brethren at Lystra and Iconium
• Paul
• The Jews of Lystra and Iconium
• The apostles and elders at Jerusalem
• A man of Macedonia
• Luke
• Some women of Philippi
• Lydia
• The household of Lydia
• A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination
• The masters of this damsel
• Silas
• The praetors of Philippi
• The Philippian mob
• The jailor of Philippi
• The prisoners in the Philippian jail
• The household of the jailor
• The lictors of Philippi
• The brethren in Philippi

What light does the chapter throw upon the character of each?

Seventh:

Note the principal lessons of the chapter. It would be well to classify these: e.g., lessons about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, etc., etc.

Eighth:

The Central Truth of the chapter.

Ninth:

The key verse of the chapter if there is one.

Tenth:

The best verse in the chapter. Opinions will differ widely here. But the question is, which is the best verse to you at this present reading? Mark it and memorize it.

Eleventh:

Note the verses that are usable as texts for sermons or talks or Bible readings. If you have time make an analysis of the thought of these verses and write it in the margin, or on the opposite leaf if you have an interleaved Bible.

Twelfth:

Name the chapter. For example, Acts 1 might be called The Ascension Chapter; Acts 2, The Day of Pentecost Chapter; Acts 3, The Lame Man's Chapter; etc. Give your own names to the chapters. Give the name that sets forth the most important and characteristic feature of the chapter.

Thirteenth:

Note subjects for further study. For example, you are studying Acts 1. Subjects suggested for further study are, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit; The Ascension; The Second Coming of Christ.

Fourteenth:

Words and phrases for further study. For example you are studying John 3, you should look up words and expressions such as, "Eternal life," "Born again," "Water," "Believer," "The Kingdom of God."

Fifteenth:

Write down what new truth you have learned from the chapter. If you have learned none, you had better go over it again.

Sixteenth:

What truth already known has come to you with new power?

Seventeenth:

What definite thing have you resolved to do as a result of studying this chapter? A permanent record should be kept of the results of the study of each chapter. It is well to have an interleaved Bible and keep the most important results in this.

First:

A greater eagerness and more careful and candid study to find out just what it teaches than is bestowed upon any other book or upon all other books. We must know the mind of God; here it is revealed.

Second:

A prompt and unquestioning acceptance of and submission to its teachings when definitely ascertained, even when these teachings appear to us unreasonable or impossible. If this book is the Word of God how foolish to submit its teachings to the criticism of our finite reason. The little boy who discredits his wise father's statements because to his infant mind they appear unreasonable, is not a philosopher but a fool. When we are once satisfied that the Bible is the Word of God, its clear teachings must be the end of all controversy and discussion.

Third:

Absolute reliance upon all its promises in all their length and breadth and depth and height. The one who studies the Bible as the Word of God will say of every promise no matter how vast and beyond belief it appears, "God who cannot lie has promised this, so I claim it for myself." Mark the promises you thus claim. Look each day for some new promise from your infinite Father. He has put "His riches in glory" at your disposal. (Philippians 4:19).

Fourth:

Obedience--prompt, exact, unquestioning, joyous obedience--to every command that is evident from the context applies to you. Be on the lookout for new orders from the King. Blessing lies in the direction of obedience to them. God's commands are but signboards that mark the road to present success and blessedness and to eternal glory.

Fifth:

Studying the Bible as the Word of God, involves studying it as His own voice speaking directly to you. When you open the Bible to study it realize that you have come into the very presence of God and that now He is going to speak to you. Every hour thus spent in Bible study will be an hour's walk and talk with God.

Sixth:

Study the Bible prayerfully. The author of the book is willing to act as interpreter of it. He does so when we ask Him to. The one who prays with earnestness and faith, the Psalmist's prayer, "Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law," will get his eyes opened to see beauties and wonders in the Word that he never dreamed of before. Be very definite about this. Each time you open the Bible to study it for a few minutes or many, ask God to give you the open and discerning eye, and expect Him to do it. Every time you come to a difficulty lay it before God and ask an explanation and expect it. How often we think as we puzzle over hard passages, "Oh if I only had so and so here to explain this." God is always present. Take it to Him.

Seventh:

Look for "the things concerning Christ" "in all the Scriptures." Christ is everywhere in the Bible (Luke 24:27). Be on the lookout for Him and mark His presence when you find it.

Eighth:

Improve spare moments in Bible study. In almost every man's life many minutes each day are lost; while waiting for meals or trains, while riding in the car, etc. Carry a pocket Bible or Testament with you and save these golden minutes by putting them to the very best use listening to the voice of God. The Textbook can easily be carried in the pocket as a help in your work.

Ninth:

Store away the Scripture in your mind and heart. It will keep you from sin (Psalm 119:11 RSV), from false doctrine (Acts 20:29,30,32; 2 Timothy 3:13-15), it will fill you heart with joy (Jeremiah 15:16), and peace (Psalm 85:8), it will give you the victory over the Evil One (1 John 2:14), it will give you power in prayer (John 15:7), it will make you wiser than the aged and your enemies (Psalm 119:100,98,130) it will make you "complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17 RSV). Try it. Do not memorize at random but memorize Scripture in a connected way. Memorize texts bearing on various subjects in proper order. Memorize by chapter and verse that you may know where to put your finger upon the text if anyone disputes it.

[*]	A full description and illustration of various profitable methods of Bible study will be found in Mr. Torrey's book on "How to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit."