Method:
Bible study method created by Raimer Rojas
Discovery Bible Study • The Gospel In All Of Scripture Bible Study • Inductive Bible Study • Holistic Bible Study (Sp) • Bible Character Study • Bible Book Study
This Bible study method helps us read Scripture with deeper attention to what is happening in people. It helps us see not only what people do, but who they are, what they are living for, what they are carrying, and how God is inviting us to respond.
At the heart of this method is a simple truth: We are made by God, made for God, and entrusted with faithful responsibility for His purposes. Our design bows to the God we worship. Our responsibility flows from the God we love.
This Bible study lens was created to help everyday believers read Scripture in a way that connects biblical truth with real life formation. Many Bible studies focus mainly on information: What happened? What does the passage mean? What doctrine is taught? Those questions matter. But Scripture also forms us by helping us see people as they stand before the God who sees and knows all.
In the Bible, people are not just examples of good or bad behavior. They are human beings with identity, gifts, limits, and desires. They carry wounds and motives, along with real responsibilities and choices.
This method helps us slow down and ask formation questions. It was born from the desire to help believers read the Bible through the lens of discipleship: becoming whole in Christ and learning to faithfully carry what God has placed in our hands.
Made by God means we are intentionally created by God. Our identity, gifts, and limits are not random. Our story and capacity are also part of the unique shape God has given us to steward before Him. We are not self-made or unknown. We are created by God, seen by Him, and deeply known by Him. Our design bows to the God we worship.
When we study Scripture through this lens, we ask: Who are the characters in this passage as they stand before God? We look for identity, dignity, and strengths. We also notice limits, wounds, and desires. Then we pay attention to fears, struggles, or areas of need. This helps us see people more deeply. It also helps us see ourselves more truthfully.
Made for God means our lives are meant to be centered on God. We were not made ultimately for success, usefulness, or control. We were not made ultimately for comfort, approval, or self-fulfillment. We were made for communion with God and love for God. We were made for surrender to God and a life centered on Him.
This is the center of the method. Our design bows to the God we worship. Our actions flow from communion. Our lives are ordered around love for Him.
When we study Scripture through this lens, we ask: What are the characters in this passage living for? Are they living oriented toward God in trust, surrender, communion, and love? Or are they being shaped by another reality?
For His purposes means God entrusts people with responsibility. He gives people work to carry, people to love, and gifts to steward. He also entrusts them with relationships to honor and assignments that serve His kingdom. But responsibility must flow from love. It must not replace communion with God. Our responsibility flows from the God we love.
When we study Scripture through this lens, we ask: What are they carrying, and why are they carrying it that way? We are looking at responsibility, but also motive. Are their actions flowing from love, faithfulness, and obedience? Or are they flowing from anxiety, ambition, or shame? Are they being driven by fear, resentment, or the need to perform?
Read the passage slowly. Notice the people in the story. Then move through the five questions shown in the Bible study image:
Made by God: Who are they before God? This helps us see identity and design.
Made for God: What are they living for? This helps us discern worship and orientation.
For His Purposes: What are they carrying? This helps us examine responsibility and mission.
Motive: Why are they carrying it that way? This helps us see what is driving the heart.
Response: What is God inviting me to become or do? This helps us obey God personally and faithfully.
The image can be used as a simple guide for personal reflection or group discussion in Bible study. The goal is not simply to finish the questions. The goal is to behold God, understand people more deeply, and respond to His invitation with faithfulness.
It looks beneath behavior — Instead of asking only, “What did this person do?” it asks, “What is happening beneath their actions?” It pays attention to identity, desire, orientation, responsibility, and motive.
It keeps God at the center — The center of the method is not self-discovery or personal productivity. The center is this truth: We are made for God — Our design bows to Him. Our mission flows from Him. Our lives are ordered around communion with Him.
It connects formation and responsibility — This method does not stop with inner reflection. It also asks what God has entrusted to a person. Discipleship is about becoming whole in Christ and learning to carry faithful responsibility that flows from love for God and serves His purposes.
It helps us see biblical characters as whole people — People in Scripture are not flat characters. They have strengths and weaknesses. They carry responsibilities and mixed motives. They respond to God in faith, fear, pride, surrender, confusion, or love. This method helps us notice those dynamics.
It leads to personal response — The final goal is not only interpretation. It is formation.
We ask: What is God showing me? What is He inviting me to receive, surrender, heal, obey, or carry faithfully?
These passages were chosen because they show people in real moments of identity, worship, and responsibility. They also help us notice motive and response.
Choose one passage and read it slowly, twice. Use the image as your guide. Move through the questions one at a time, paying attention to the people in the passage — their identity, orientation, responsibility, motive, and response.
This method works best when we resist rushing. The goal is not simply to gather information, but to see more clearly, return to God as our center, and carry responsibility faithfully for His purposes.
Old Testament Stories
Adam and Eve in the Garden: Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–13 — Design, trust, temptation, responsibility, hiding.
Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:1–16 — Worship, jealousy, anger, responsibility, sin crouching at the door.
Noah Builds the Ark: Genesis 6:9–22 — Faithfulness, obedience, responsibility in a corrupt generation.
The Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1–9 — Human ambition, identity, pride, false unity, resistance to God’s purposes.
Abram’s Call: Genesis 12:1–9 — Calling, trust, leaving security, blessing for the nations.
Hagar in the Wilderness: Genesis 16:1–13 — Wounding, being seen by God, identity, survival, divine care.
Abraham and Isaac: Genesis 22:1–18 — Trust, surrender, love, obedience, ultimate allegiance.
Jacob and Esau: Genesis 25:27–34; 27:1–40 — Desire, deception, identity, blessing, family brokenness.
Jacob Wrestles with God: Genesis 32:22–32 — Identity, striving, weakness, blessing, transformation.
Joseph in Potiphar’s House: Genesis 39:1–23 — Integrity, temptation, responsibility, faithfulness under pressure.
Joseph Reconciles with His Brothers: Genesis 45:1–15; 50:15–21 — Forgiveness, providence, pain, purpose, reconciliation.
Moses at the Burning Bush: Exodus 3:1–12; 4:1–17 — Calling, insecurity, identity, fear, God’s presence.
Moses and Jethro’s Counsel: Exodus 18:13–26 — Leadership, limits, shared responsibility, wisdom.
Israel and the Golden Calf: Exodus 32:1–14 — Idolatry, impatience, false worship, intercession.
The Twelve Spies: Numbers 13:25–33; 14:1–10 — Fear, faith, identity, unbelief, courage.
Joshua Succeeds Moses: Joshua 1:1–9 — Leadership, courage, responsibility, God’s presence.
Achan’s Sin: Joshua 7:1–26 — Hidden sin, responsibility, consequences, community impact.
Gideon’s Call: Judges 6:11–24 — Identity, fear, insecurity, God’s view of a person.
Ruth and Naomi: Ruth 1:6–18; 2:1–13 — Loyalty, loss, belonging, provision, faithful love.
Hannah Prays for a Son: 1 Samuel 1:1–20 — Longing, pain, prayer, surrender, being misunderstood.
Samuel Hears God’s Voice: 1 Samuel 3:1–21 — Calling, attentiveness, obedience, spiritual responsibility.
Saul’s Impatience: 1 Samuel 13:5–14 — Fear, pressure, disobedience, leadership failure.
David and Goliath: 1 Samuel 17:20–50 — Identity, courage, faith, calling, holy confidence.
David Spares Saul: 1 Samuel 24:1–22 — Restraint, trust, honor, refusing revenge.
David and Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11:1–27; 12:1–13 — Power, desire, sin, deception, confrontation, repentance.
Solomon Asks for Wisdom: 1 Kings 3:3–14 — Responsibility, humility, leadership, desire for wisdom.
Elijah on Mount Carmel: 1 Kings 18:20–39 — Worship, courage, confrontation, divided hearts.
Elijah Under the Broom Tree: 1 Kings 19:1–18 — Exhaustion, fear, despair, God’s gentle care, renewed calling.
Elisha Receives Elijah’s Mantle: 2 Kings 2:1–15 — Mentorship, succession, hunger for spiritual inheritance.
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall: Nehemiah 1:1–11; 2:11–20 — Burden, prayer, leadership, opposition, faithful action.
Esther Before the King: Esther 4:1–17; 5:1–8 — Identity, courage, timing, responsibility, “for such a time as this.”
Job Responds to Suffering: Job 1:13–22; 2:7–10; 42:1–6 — Suffering, worship, integrity, mystery, surrender.
Jonah Runs from God: Jonah 1:1–17; 3:1–10; 4:1–11 — Calling, resistance, mercy, resentment, God’s heart for others.
Mary Receives Gabriel’s Message: Luke 1:26–38 — Identity, surrender, calling, trust, availability.
Joseph Obeys the Angel: Matthew 1:18–25 — Honor, obedience, costly faithfulness, responsibility.
Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness: Matthew 4:1–11 — Identity, desire, worship, obedience, resisting false paths.
Peter’s Call: Luke 5:1–11 — Calling, humility, surrender, leaving everything to follow Jesus.
The Woman at the Well: John 4:4–30; 39–42 — Shame, desire, worship, identity, witness.
The Paralyzed Man and His Friends: Mark 2:1–12 — Faith, friendship, need, forgiveness, healing.
The Rich Young Ruler: Mark 10:17–27 — Desire, obedience, attachment, surrender, false security.
Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1–10 — Identity, repentance, restoration, generosity, salvation.
Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38–42 — Service, anxiety, presence, worship, reordered responsibility.
Mary Anoints Jesus: John 12:1–8 — Devotion, costly worship, prophetic love, misunderstanding.
The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11–32 — Identity, shame, repentance, sonship, resentment, restoration.
The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25–37 — Love, mercy, neighbor, responsibility, compassion.
Peter Denies Jesus: Luke 22:54–62 — Fear, failure, weakness, identity under pressure.
Peter Restored by Jesus: John 21:1–19 — Love, restoration, calling, responsibility, shepherding.
Thomas Encounters the Risen Jesus: John 20:24–29 — Doubt, honesty, faith, encounter, worship.
Stephen Before the Council: Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–60 — Wisdom, courage, witness, forgiveness, Spirit-filled faithfulness.
Paul’s Conversion: Acts 9:1–22 — Identity, zeal, surrender, calling, transformation.