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EVA M. SHIVELY, M. D

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 39.

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EVA M. SHIVELY, M. D

By Eva M. Shively, M. D.

A Plea for Bible Study—No. 2

EVA M. SHIVELY, M. D

I believe that the Lord would have us be systematic in preparation for his service, and thoroughly conversant with “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” If we wish to gain a thorough knowledge of any author’s work, we read carefully the book as a whole, and then we may be able to select that part which may please us to use when occasion demands. Should we not in like manner become thoroughly acquainted with the Bible as a whole, getting a good outline of each book, and learning it as thoroughly as possible? Then when we wish to present different subjects, we have this great source from which to draw, and the Lord may lead our minds whithersoever he will, and we, through the wisdom he gives us, will be able rightly to divide the word of truth.
So much burdened was I to know how to store away “every word of God” in my mind that I might live thereby, that I began Oct. 26, 1906, to read the Bible carefully through. Every moment aside from my work I read, and on Dec. 19, 1906, I had finished. This of course is a closer application than would seem necessary or possible to continue; but between Dec. 19 and Jan. 1, 1907, the Lord helped me to make out my plan for yearly Bible study, so far as my efforts were to be directed toward the Bible as a whole, which I will submit as a suggestion, hoping it may be a help and blessing to many. I am now following this outline, and find it not burdensome.
This plan is made out on a basis of reading an average of three and one-half chapters daily, or three on week-days and six and one-half on Sabbath. Dan. 6:5-10 says that Daniel prayed three times a day, and we know how God approved and blessed him. We feel it necessary to take regularly our physical food that we may be physically strong. Is it not as necessary to be spiritually strong? We know the results of neglecting to take physical food. Daniel seemed to realize that his spiritual food was necessary to make him strong to do the will of God, even when the lions’ den awaited him. And Ezra prepared his heart to seek, to do, and to teach the law of God, and the Lord prospered his work.
In this outline, the numbers following each month’s portion with a plus or minus sign preceding, show how many chapters more or less than this general average (three and one-half chapters daily) is apportioned to each month.
Notice that in August we have —31. This allows about ten days to study Daniel, and leaves all of December for Revelation, and Daniel may be taken up again with it, so by the week of prayer we may have finished.
In April, if Haggai and Zechariah are read in connection with Ezra, we would have instead of —5 + 11 for April, and —47 for August, giving more time still to study Daniel.
January.—Genesis to Numbers, + 9. February.—Numbers to Judges, — 4. March.—Judges to 2 Kings, — 6. April.—2 Kings to Nehemiah, — 5. May.—Nehemiah to Psalm 76, + 21. June.—Psalm 76 to Isaiah, + 21. July.—Isaiah to Jeremiah 42. August.—Jeremiah 42 to Hosea, — 31. September.—Hosea to Luke, + 6. October.—Luke to 2 Corinthians, — 3. November.—2 Corinthians to Revelation 16. December.—Study Revelation and Daniel.
When each book is finished, I have tried to group the chapters, making a little outline. For example: Genesis may be divided into groups of ten chapters each, the first ten chapters reaching to the death of Noah and chronology of his family, taking in all of the antediluvian world. The second group begins with the birth of Abraham, and reaches to Lot’s death. The third group continues Abraham’s journeys, and reaches the birth of Jacob’s family (the twelve tribes). The fourth group begins with Jacob’s return, and reaches to where Joseph begins his work in the Egyptian prison. The fifth group gives an account of the journey to and sojourn in Egypt.
By grouping the chapters in this way, as we go about our work or awake in the night, we may take each group separately and meditate upon the contents of each chapter; and when we have mastered this so that we can call to mind the principal things in each chapter, then we may take the next group, keeping in mind the general outline of each group, thus gaining for ourselves this knowledge according to the instruction given in Deut. 6:6, 7, and Ps. 1:2.
For instance, in the first ten chapters of Genesis already spoken of:—
Chapter 1.—First six days of creation, and learn each day’s work.
Chapter 2.—Sanctification of Sabbath and family ties established.
Chapter 3.—The account of the fall and the punishment, and the first line of prophecy. Verse 15.
Chapter 4.—Birth of Cain and Abel; banishment of Cain, polygamy of his descendants, and birth of Seth.
Chapter 5.—Chronology down to Noah.
Chapter 6.—The unequal yoking together of the children of God with unbelievers; as a result, destruction determined, and directions for building the ark given.
Chapters 7 and 8.—Noah’s family in the ark, and the covenant of God.
Chapter 9.—God’s blessing to Noah. The rainbow set in the cloud as a sign of God’s covenant with man. Sin of Ham, and death of Noah.
Chapter 10.—Genealogy of Noah’s family.
I have been able by a simple outline like the above more firmly to fix the contents of all the books in my mind, at the same time selecting important texts from each chapter to commit to memory.
The results to be gained are certainly worth the effort. We plan systematically for our other and less important work. Why not have definitely arranged plans for the important work of storing our minds with the knowledge of God’s Word, that we may be ready to use what we have learned when the Lord gives the opportunity, and pass on to others the strength we have received? In the time of trouble these precious promises will be more valuable to us than mines of gold or precious stones.
Boulder, Colo.