To help explain the meaning of Scripture, the DEEP Bible Study Method has developed a Key Verse Map. This map will guide you deeper into the Word and help you discover the text’s original meaning by focusing on key verses and keywords, their original meaning, and context.
Not only do we want to understand the Scriptures, but we want to soak in them, allowing them to become part of us. For this reason, we have chosen a “SOAKER” verse to meditate on each chapter we study.
You can use the Key Verse Map to dive deeper into the SOAKER verse or any other verse you’ve marked as key on the Chapter Map. We encourage you to meditate on the verse(s) you choose throughout the week. By completing the Key Verse Map, you can keep His Word before you day and night. So, go ahead, dive DEEP, and start soaking in God’s Word!
Here is a step by step guide on how to complete the Key Verse Map and allow it to soak in. Each step corresponds with a part of the map below. Be sure and get your free map by clicking on the link at the end of this article.
Spend Time In Prayer
Ask the Lord to show you His truths and how to apply them to your life.
Write Verse Reference & Verse
Choose SOAKER verse, one of the key verses from the first page of the Chapter Map or a verse that inspires further exploration and write down the verse reference and the verse from a translation of your choice.
Keywords in Verse and Meaning
Find Keywords in the verse or words that you want to do a word study on and write them down. Look them up in a Bible dictionary or lexicon. Write their definitions. To better understand a Bible verse, looking it up in at least three different translations is helpful. Write down the verse from each translation and compare word choices by highlighting the differences. Remember that the Bible’s original text was written in a different language so translations may vary. You can better understand the text by comparing the verse in multiple translations. Mark each time you read the verse in different translations.
Open His Word and Read the Scripture
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of the verse and how to put it into practice. Always pray and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Write down anything He shows you. Is God calling you into action? How is He calling you to put it into practice: repent, forgive, walk in love, study, do something? Write it down, and then write down how you will follow through.
Ask Questions
Ask who, what, why, where, when, etc., to determine the context of the Scripture. Refer back to the background and setting research you did before you read the book. Zoom in and look at the same information for the chapter. Where does this verse fit? What context can you gain from reading the surrounding passages? How does this verse relate to the book, the Testament, and the Bible as a whole? Write down your observations.
Cross-References
Look up cross-references and write them down. A cross-reference refers to a related verse that connects ideas, themes, people, events, locations, words, and phrases in different parts of the Bible. This related content helps define and add context to the text you are reading.
Keep the Word Before You
Meditate day and night on the Scripture. Scripture tells us to meditate on His Word continually. Choose at least two ways you will keep this verse in front of you throughout the week. Write them down and do them. Write down what the key verse means in the context of the book, the chapter, and the Bible. What are the key truths it sets out? What does the key verse mean to you personally? Summarize how you are going to put it into practice.
Enlighten
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of the verse and how to put it into practice. Always pray and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Write down anything He shows you.
Respond to Scripture
Is God calling you into action? How is He calling you to put it into practice: repent, forgive, walk in love, study, do something? Write it down, and then write down how you will follow through.
Key Takeaways
Write down what the key verse means in the context of the book, the chapter, and the Bible. What are the key truths it sets out? What does the key verse mean to you personally? Summarize how you are going to put it into practice.
