Eight study phases are recommended for those seeking to draw spiritually nigh unto God in the study of His holy living Word. Normally, the phases may occur in the sequence that follows.

READ AND RECITE
When getting into the spiritual essence of a particular passage, first read it silently a few times. Then read it aloud a few times. Think about it as you read, and begin your inquiry into its meaning. Then proceed to the next phase. [Deuteronomy 17:18-19 & 31:11; 2Kings 22:10-11 & 23:2; Nehemiah 8:1-8 & 9:3; Jeremiah 36:6 & 15; Luke 4:16-21; Acts 8:27-31; Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2; Colossians 4:16; 1Thessalonians 5:27; Revelation 5:1-14]

DEFINE
Define key words in the biblical passage. Use a good dictionary. But especially, if you have access to a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, look up the key words in its Hebrew and Greek dictionaries. Seek out the spirit of each key word in its various meanings, connotations, and applications.[2Timothy 2:15]

EXAMINE
Identify the different parts, thoughts, and precepts that are expressed in the biblical passage. Is there a general spirit of meaning being given by the Lord? What does our Lord want us to understand from it about Him, his kingdom, and us? Rudyard Kipling once wrote something that could be helpful in this phase:

I have six, honest, serving men. They taught me all I knew. Their names are What and Where and When And Why and How and Who.

You, too, can call upon these six, honest, serving men when examining biblical passages. Concentrate upon seeking the spiritual essence that our Lord is imparting in the passage. [Ecclesiastes 1:13 & 7:25; Matthew 4:4; Mark 4:20; Acts 17:11; 1Timothy 5:17; 2Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 11:6]

COMPARE
Compare the passage and its parts with other scripture passages that are similar in nature. A good Bible concordance can be very helpful. Draw from its precepts the fullness of the truth and the spirit of the passage as you believe our Lord would want us to understand it. [Isaiah 28:9-11 and 1Corinthians 2:9-14]

MEDITATE
Go to a place where you will be free from distractions. Quietly think about what our Lord is revealing to you in the biblical passage. Contemplate it. Reflect on it. Daydream about it. Visualize it. Imagine it. Ponder it in your heart. [Joshua 1:8; Luke 2:19; 1Timothy 4:13-16; Psalm 19:14]

PRAY FOR WISDOM
During and after your meditation, pray to the Lord for His gifts of understanding and wisdom. In James 1:5 it is written: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. When searching in the spirit for the treasures of God's word, it is surprising what He will reveal. Soon the truth of 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 dawns before you: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [Proverbs 3:13, 4:7, & 19:8; Ecclesiastes 1:13, 1:18, 7:12, & 7:19; Romans 11:33-36; 1Corinthians 2:7 & 12:8; Colossians 3:16]

REMEMBER
Having proceeded thus far, the next phase is the remembering of the passage and its spiritual essence. This does not necessarily involve memorizing the biblical passage verbatim. But it does involve thinking back on it from time to time. In so doing, even further revelations and understandings can emerge.

:::::But there are other reasons for remembering. One is to keep our hearts appreciating the wonderful God who loves us with a pure heart fervently. In fact, that is what the Book of Deuteronomy is about -- remembering and appreciating the God who loves us with a pure heart fervently.

:::::Another reason for remembering is to stay alive in the Spirit of The Word of God -- to keep the Spirit of The Word of God abiding in you: that your joy may be full.

:::::Another reason for remembering is to remain proficient and ready to use God's Word as the sword of the Spirit whenever battle against the enemy of our Lord becomes imminent.

:::::Another reason for remembering the biblical passages you have studied is to keep yourself a fit vessel for our Lord: that your body may be suitable as a temple for Him. For as it is written in John 14:21-23: Jesus answered and said unto him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

APPLY

The Lord admonishes us to be doers of the word; not hearers only (James 1:21). Considering the text of Revelation 20:11-15, such is sage advice.

:::::Are you letting God's word be a lamp unto your feet? Are you letting the Spirit of God's holy Word enlighten your path through your daily life in this sojourn? [Psalm 119:105]

S E L A H