About Digging into Scripture Ourselves
Welcome to a new way to interact
with God’s Word…
engaging the Holy Spirit and answering straightforward questions
to see, understand, and apply God’s wisdom to your life.
Friend, if you can pray, read, and answer questions,
you can confidently study the Bible and begin living by its principles right away!
That’s the power of Digging into Scripture Ourselves (DISO)!
Start Now!
Gather What
You Need
Choose your study passage, then grab a notebook or journal and, if you want, some colored pens or pencils.
I also recommend you start with a printed copy of the text you don’t mind marking up. You can make this yourself with these instructions.
Set Your Study
Time & Place
Plan to study regularly!
In your calendar system, make a recurring appointment with the Holy Spirit and your materials for at least 20 minutes. While learning the process, try to study daily or every other day.
Open
with Prayer
Create your own opening prayer or use this one:
Father God, cleanse my mind and open my eyes, ears, and heart to Your Holy Spirit. Help me see and hear Your Word for me, show me its true meaning aligned with Your counsel, and direct me to apply it for Your glory and my good.
In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
Answer the
Questions
Use your study verses and trusted resources to answer the questions. While you’re learning the process, I recommend you answer all twenty questions to the best of your ability.
Once you’re comfortable studying this way, you can skip some questions, but be sure every study includes at least four questions from each category (See, Understand, and Apply).
How is DISO different?
DISO is self-directed.
There’s no waiting for a leader to choose a passage, then organize and schedule the study. You decide what you study, when you study, and which questions to answer each time you study.
Your DISO answers are NEVER wrong or incomplete.
If you follow the guidelines for answering each question, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes and heart to see just what you need to see.
DISO works anywhere there’s an internet connection.
A few questions require access to free Bible study tools that are readily accessible by computer or smart phone. Once you know the questions and how to answer them, you’re ready to see, understand, and apply any passage, anytime, anywhere!
If you want to connect directly with God through His Word, DISO is for you!
The Questions
See
1. What is the passage about?
2. What types of writing did the author use?
3. Who’s mentioned most?
4. Where does the action happen?
5. When does the action happen?
6. What does the author repeat?
7. What comparisons are there?
8. What special statements appear in the passage?
9. What lists does the passage contain?
10. Why do certain things happen?
11. How do certain things happen?
Understand
12. How does the passage’s literal and historical context help you understand it as the author and original audience would?
13. What meaning can you draw from studying words or phrases in their original language?
14. How does your interpretation of the text align with relevant cross-references?
15. What additional clarification do you find in other translations of the passage?
Apply
16. What personal theme emerges from this study of the text?
17. What did this study teach you about your relationships with God and others?
18. How have you been convicted with this passage?
19. Which verse(s) from this study provide correction to help you grow?
20. How will you practice the truth you’ve dug into here?