Method:
“Let God's truth shape your mind, stir your heart, refine your motives, and direct your actions.”
by Raimer Rojas
(English & Español)
Discovery Bible Study • The Gospel In All Of Scripture Bible Study • Inductive Bible Study • Bible Character Study • Bible Book Study
This Holistic Bible Study method helps you engage Scripture fully—not just with your mind, but also with your heart, motives and actions. This method first examines the people in the passage (how they thought, felt, desired, and acted) before applying it personally. This prevents misinterpretation, connects truth to real life, and fosters lasting spiritual growth. Through it we move beyond just reading Scripture to living it—shaped by God’s truth in every part of who we are. And finally, this method aligns with the Holistic Discipleship framework that I am promoting.
This method ensures that you:
Think Rightly - align your mind with God’s truth.
Feel Deeply - allow Scripture to stir your heart.
Desire Purely - check your motives before God.
Act Obediently - live out obedience.
It’s not just about knowing the Bible—it’s about letting it change you: “Let God's truth shape your mind, stir your heart, refine your motives, and direct your actions.”
DIRECTIONS: 1. Choose a Story – Pick a Bible story where people interact. > 2. Read the Passage Twice – Have two different people read it aloud. > 3. Retell the Story – A third person summarizes the passage in their own words. > 4. Reflect & Discuss – Use the Holistic Bible Study questions to explore the story, looking at what happened before and after the encounter. Start with STEP #1 and continue with STEP #2.
STEP #1: PEOPLE
Understand what is happening within the people in this passage
1. Shape MIND → What shaped their mind?
What assumptions or beliefs did they hold?
How did God's truth challenge or reshape their thinking?
2. Stir HEART → How did this stir their hearts?
What emotions did they experience in this situation?
How did their emotions influence their perspective or responses?
3. Refine MOTIVES → What motivated them?
Why did they want to do what they did?
Were their desires aligned with God’s will or something else?
4. Direct ACTIONS → What actions did they take?
How did they respond to what they learned, felt, and desired?
Did their response reflect obedience to God?
STEP #2: ME
Apply the passage personally
(God may be highlighting a specific situation in your life. If you sense a connection to the passage, use it to reflect on the questions and discern His message)
1. Shape MIND → What truth is shaping my mind?
What assumptions or beliefs am I bringing to this passage?
How is God's truth challenging or reshaping my thinking?
2. Stir HEART → How is this stirring my heart?
What emotions am I experiencing in response to this passage?
How should my emotions come under Christ’s lordship?
3. Refine MOTIVES → What is motivating me?
Why do I want to act in a certain way?
How is God refining my desires through this passage?
4. Direct ACTIONS → What action is God calling me to take?
How should I respond to what I am learning, feeling, and desiring?
What specific step of obedience should I take?
Holistic Bible Study Passage List — A curated collection of Scripture readings chosen because they naturally engage the whole disciple: mind, heart, motives, and actions. These passages provide rich material to first observe what is happening inside the people in the text (what they believe, feel, desire, and do), and then to reflect on how the same dynamics are forming me—reshaping my thinking, re-ordering my loves, purifying my “why,” and guiding concrete obedience. This list is designed to help groups and individuals move beyond information-only Bible study into deep transformation and embodied discipleship.
Genesis 3 — The Fall: Distorted Trust and Shame
Genesis 4:1–16 — Cain and Abel: Envy at the Door
Genesis 12:1–9 — Abram’s Call: Leaving for Promise
Genesis 16 — Hagar and Sarai: Taking Control of the Promise
Genesis 22 — Abraham Tested: Costly Trust
Genesis 37; 45 — Joseph and His Brothers: Betrayal to Reconciliation
Exodus 3–4 — Moses’ Call: Insecurity Meets Commission
Exodus 16 — Manna and Grumbling: Daily Dependence
Exodus 32 — The Golden Calf: Impatience and Idolatry
Numbers 13–14 — The Spies: Fearful Narratives vs Faith
Deuteronomy 8 — Remembering in the Wilderness
Judges 6–7 — Gideon: Fear to Courage
1 Samuel 15 — Saul’s Partial Obedience: Image Over Integrity
1 Samuel 24 — David Spares Saul: Restraint Under Pressure
2 Samuel 11–12 — David Confronted: Sin, Cover-Up, Repentance
1 Kings 18–19 — Elijah: Triumph, Burnout, and God’s Care
Jonah 1–4 — Jonah: Resentment Toward Mercy
Psalm 23 — The Shepherd Psalm: Security Under Threat
Psalm 32 — The Joy of Confession: Hiding to Freedom
Psalm 42–43 — Why So Downcast?: Preaching Hope to the Soul
Psalm 51 — True Repentance: Clean Heart, Right Spirit
Psalm 73 — Envy Reframed in God’s Presence
Psalm 84 — Longing for God: Desire Re-Oriented
Psalm 103 — Remember His Benefits: Gratitude and Mercy
Psalm 139 — Known and Led: Integrity Before God
Isaiah 6 — Isaiah’s Vision: Cleansing and Calling
Isaiah 58 — True Worship: Motives and Mercy
Daniel 3 — The Fiery Furnace: Allegiance Under Threat
Matthew 4:1–11 — The Temptation of Jesus: Truth Over Shortcuts
Matthew 14:22–33 — Peter Walks on Water: Focus and Fear
Luke 7:36–50 — The Forgiven Woman: Love vs Self-Righteousness
Luke 10:25–37 — The Good Samaritan: Costly Compassion
Luke 15 — The Prodigal and the Older Brother: Two Lost Sons
John 4 — The Woman at the Well: Thirst, Shame, and Witness
John 8:1–11 — The Accused Woman: Mercy Without Denial
Mark 10:17–31 — The Rich Young Ruler: Sorrowful Attachment
Acts 4:32–5:11 — Barnabas vs Ananias and Sapphira: Generosity and Hypocrisy
Matthew 5–7 — The Sermon on the Mount: Inner Life and Kingdom Practice
Matthew 18:21–35 — The Unforgiving Servant: Mercy Received vs Mercy Withheld
Matthew 20:20–28 — Greatness Reversed: Ambition Transformed into Service
Matthew 22:34–40 — The Great Commandment: Ordered Love
Mark 4:35–41 — Jesus Calms the Storm: Fear, Faith, and Who He Is
Mark 7:1–23 — Clean and Unclean: Heart Motives vs External Religion
Mark 8:27–38 — Who Do You Say I Am?: Identity, Cross, and True Discipleship
Mark 9:14–29 — Help My Unbelief: Honest Faith Under Struggle
Mark 10:35–45 — James and John: Ambition Confronted
Mark 14:32–42 — Gethsemane: Surrender in Anguish
Luke 5:1–11 — The Miraculous Catch: Awe, Repentance, and Calling
Luke 7:1–10 — The Centurion’s Faith: Authority and Trust
Luke 8:40–56 — Jairus and the Woman: Fear to Faith in Desperation
Luke 9:51–62 — The Cost of Following: Undivided Allegiance
Luke 18:9–14 — Pharisee and Tax Collector: Self-Trust vs Humble Mercy
Luke 19:1–10 — Zacchaeus: Shame to Restoration and Repair
Luke 22:31–34, 54–62 — Peter’s Denial: Confidence, Collapse, and Tears
Luke 24:13–35 — Road to Emmaus: Reframed Minds and Burning Hearts
John 3:1–21 — Nicodemus: New Birth and New Seeing
John 5:1–18 — The Healed Man: Wholeness and Responsibility
John 8:31–47 — True Freedom: Abiding, Truth, and Inner Bondage
John 10:1–18 — The Good Shepherd: Trust, Belonging, and Security
John 11:1–44 — Lazarus: Grief, Trust, and God’s Glory
John 13:31–35 — The New Commandment: Love as the Community’s Mark
John 15:1–17 — Abide in the Vine: Love, Fruit, and Obedience
John 17 — Jesus’ Prayer: Glory, Love, Unity, and Mission
Acts 2:1–47 — Pentecost and the New Community: Conviction to Devotion
Acts 3:1–26 — Healing at the Gate: Wonder, Repentance, and Witness
Acts 6:1–7 — Widows and Wisdom: Justice, Motives, and Shared Leadership
Acts 7:54–60 — Stephen’s Martyrdom: Forgiveness Under Fire
Acts 8:4–25 — Simon the Magician: Power Motives Exposed
Acts 9:1–22 — Saul Converted: Zeal Re-Directed
Acts 10:1–48 — Cornelius and Peter: Prejudice Confronted, Hearts Opened
Acts 15:1–21 — Jerusalem Council: Unity, Discernment, and Freedom
Acts 16:16–34 — Philippian Jail: Worship in Suffering, New Life in a Household
Acts 20:17–38 — Paul’s Farewell: Humility, Tears, and Persevering Motives
Romans 5:1–11 — Peace with God: Suffering, Hope, and Love
Romans 6:1–14 — New Identity: Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Romans 8:1–17 — Life in the Spirit: Adoption and Freedom
Romans 12:1–21 — Renewed Mind: Sincere Love and Embodied Good
1 Corinthians 10:1–13 — Warnings and Escape: Desire Discipline
1 Corinthians 13 — The Way of Love: Motives and Practice
2 Corinthians 4:7–18 — Inner Renewal: Pressure, Perspective, Endurance
2 Corinthians 5:14–21 — Love Controls Us: New Creation and Reconciliation
Galatians 5:13–26 — Flesh vs Spirit: Desires, Fruit, and Self-Control
Ephesians 4:17–32 — Put Off/Put On: Truthful Minds, Clean Speech, New Habits
Philippians 2:1–11 — The Mind of Christ: Humility and Service
Philippians 4:4–9 — Anxiety to Peace: Focus and Practice
Colossians 3:1–17 — Set Your Mind Above: Ordered Affections, New Conduct
1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 — Pure Motives in Ministry: Pleasing God, Not People
Hebrews 12:1–17 — Endurance and Discipline: Bitter Roots and Strengthened Hands
James 1:19–27 — Hear and Do: Anger, Self-Deception, True Religion
James 3:13–18 — Two Wisdoms: Ambition Exposed, Peace Cultivated
1 Peter 1:13–25 — Gird Your Mind: Hope, Holiness, Love
1 John 1:5–2:6 — Walking in the Light: Confession and Obedience
Revelation 2–3 — Letters to the Churches: Love, Motives, and Deeds Examined
Revelation 2:1–7 — To the Church in Ephesus
Revelation 2:8–11 — To the Church in Smyrna
Revelation 2:12–17 — To the Church in Pergamum
Revelation 2:18–29 — To the Church in Thyatira
Revelation 3:1–6 — To the Church in Sardis
Revelation 3:7–13 — To the Church in Philadelphia
Revelation 3:14–22 — To the Church in Laodicea