I have to admit it. For years I was a Roulette Bible Reader. {You know, the kind of person who sits down with her Bible, lets it sort of fall open and reads where it falls.} Yes, I gleaned some wonderful things from that, but it’s not really the best way to STUDY your Bible.
Over the years, I tossed around all sorts of ideas about how to study more in depth, but nothing I ever tried stuck and the other things I looked into cost more than I wanted to spend.
Recently, a fellow homeschool mom from church mentioned how she was using Balancing the Sword
as her Bible study tool.
I had looked at it before, but I am such a visual person that the descriptions in the catalogs just didn’t offer enough for me. Darla graciously offered to bring it to church the following Sunday and I was able to thumb through the pages and talk to her more about how she uses it.
It’s really quite simple. In fact, so simple, I wasn’t sure it would be enough to spur me on. Yet, the simplicity is what drew me to it.
Here’s how it works…
1. Read a chapter in your Bible.
2. Find the corresponding chapter in Balancing the Sword. (both volumes cover the entire Bible, so you can start in either Vol 1 or Vol 2)
3. Answer the questions in Balancing the Sword. They aren’t doctrinal questions. They are just straight forward questions from the text. However, I am surprised at how often I have to go back and reread to get the answer! I’m also amazed at how the questions can be worded in such a way that cause you to think about what is written there on a much deeper level. For instance, one of the questions was:
Which comes first in a Jewish day, daytime or night-time?
Simple question, right? However, it made me realize the reason the Jewish day is set up like that! In the Bible in Genesis 1:3 (and on throughout the passage), it says:
So the evening and morning were the first day.
That made me realize why Shabbat starts at sundown on Friday, rather than Saturday morning. Now, I’m sure many of you already knew these things, but for me, it was something new I had never really thought about before.
At the homeschool conference, shortly after Darla let me look at her books, I ordered the set for a good price. I dug into Volume 1 right away and have been really enjoying it (even took it on vacation!)
Recently, in my quest to re-structure our school atmosphere to have more Biblical emphasis, I decided to have my older two children use Volume 2 as their study tool. This has been going quite well.
I find myself anxious to keep reading and digging…something other study tools failed to do for me. I really think it is the simplicity of it all. There’s no major formula to follow, the chapter questions are short, yet there is a ton of room to dig deeper if you want with lots of references following each question.
That’s why I wanted to share this for this week’s:
Kat says
Amy, what a great study this looks like. I can’t wait to start something like this as well. Sometimes I play roulette Bible too!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Lisa~ says
Thanks, I’ve never heard of that. I’m excited to look into it. It sounds like something that would be good to do as a family. Lisa~
Renae says
I have this one my wish list. I like the idea, but I really like the artwork. 🙂
Andrea @ MommySnacks.net says
That looks like a really good study. I’ve only done focused studies like Beth Moore. But, when I just read through the bible, it’s a big overwhelming. This seems like it would help with that – giving me questions to recall and focus. Thanks for sharing!
Bonni says
Sounds interesting! I’m always open to new ideas for our study of the Bible!! Thanks!
Amy B. says
We love Balancing Th Sword. Allen is a local in my area and I have heard him speak. These books are an excellent addition to Bible Study and work so well with children that are reading on their own!
Lisa says
I agree it’s a great resource. When I first purchased it I thought it looked a little too simplistic, but the questions really make you pay attention to what you are reading and there are tons of cross refrences to dig in deeper. There are also great quotes on each page and I love the Bible reading planner cd, it’s worth the price just for that.
Amy says
I felt the same way at first. It couldn’t be that easy and really work. I’m so glad I went ahead and spent the money on it!
Kimarie @ The Cardamom's Pod says
Neat! I snagged this on a 50% off sale from Vision Forum a couple years ago and haven’t used anything except the Bible reading schedule software. I know we will use it, but I’m glad to hear from someone else that it works well. I could incorporate it for an easy evening Bible time when Daddy’s working.
Audra Marie says
This actually sounds like it would be fun for my family to do in the evenings together. Thanks for sharing about it. 🙂
Cheri says
Hi, Amy…I just found your blog and read not only this post (interesting & informative)but also your post about the loss of precious little Emily. I too am a member of the same “club.” We lost our 9-year old Mandy in 1986. Although time has helped us to heal and the grief is not nearly so painful, it still hurts and we still miss her very much. Four years ago we were blessed with a darling granddaughter and along with her brother they bring us such happiness. I just wanted to tell you that I think it’s such a wonderful thing and such a blessing that you have opened yourself up on your blog to help others and to offer resources for those who are grieving. I had almost no support (other than the love of family and a few close friends)…not even from our church as we were in between pastors. It took a very long time for me to come to grips with my grief. I feel your reaching out to others will be such a help to others who are in our “club” and who are fortunate enough to find your blog. I look at that picture of Emily and my heart breaks. She is truly a beautiful little girl. Maybe our children know each other in Heaven. God bless you and your family and thank you for what you are doing to bless others.
Amy says
Thank you, Cheri, and God bless you too. I am sure our daughters do know each other…that is something that has always comforted me…the many other children who are there with Emily.
Florie Ann Flores-Sabio says
I like it…I am also having the same concerns how to study the bible…thank you so much…
florie
Dusti says
thanks for sharing. i’m putting that in my hat as a possibility for our family. Bible is the most important “subject” anything I can use to help us learn it better is great. 🙂
Rebecca says
I have recently been doing SOAP inspired by momstoolbox.com. I also do reading through the Bible in 90 days but I do it for 90 days then take about 90 days off (the last time I took it off, my mom borrowed it). I enjoy it but knew trying to do it in the summer while my gardens and fruit was coming in would be too hard. I read a Proverb per day (the 1st Proverb on the 1st, the 2nd Proverb on the 2nd day of the month, etc). I read 1 chapter per day in the New Testament. I am currently reading through the epistles. In a month or so I will switch and go back to the Bible in 90 days. I have been looking for a way to study and the SOAP so far had been good and I look forward to doing it every morning.
Amy says
I knew when momstoolbox first started the 90 days I couldn’t commit to it b/c I was sick with morning sickness. The pace is just too fast for me these days, but that’s great you are doing so well with it!
jeana says
I love this type of stuff! Definately on my wishlist, thanks for sharing!
Stephanie says
Oooooooooooooooooooooooo! I’m putting it on my wishlist! It sounds like what I’ve been looking for!