LEARNING SCRIPTURES MADE EASY

This DEMO app not only gives reasons why you need to know scriptures, but it also gives a practical principle, techniques, tips, and examples with step-by-step procedures to show you how to effectively learn scriptures. Only one principle (Divide & Conquer) is included in this demo. A series of additional principles can be seen in the App market place.

NOTE: All scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted. This app is best viewed on a tablet or smart phone in LANDSCAPE mode. Because of the size of smart phones, some scripture passages may be TRUNCATED (cut off) on the right side of the screen.

© 2012, RMCS, All rights reserved.

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Why Learn Scriptures

It is sad to say, but nevertheless true, that many Christians let other people (including ministers) think for them, especially when it comes to issues relating to the Bible.  This app will help you become effective in the use of the Word of God for yourself.

Have You Ever Wanted To?

Have you ever wanted to go to any Bible book quickly or share your faith without intimidation?  Maybe, you like to quote scriptures verbatim more often than you paraphrase them. If you desire to experience any of the following, then this guide is designed with you in mind:

  1. “Analyze correctly, divide accurately, and teach skillfully the Word of God”
  2. “Convince mightily from the scriptures that Jesus was and is the Christ”
  3.  “Refuse to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrines”
  4. “Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report”
  5. “Have your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man”
  6. “Be able by sound doctrine to exhort, convince, and stop the mouths of the gainsayers (the opposition) that they may have no evil thing to say of you”
  7.  “Let the Word of God discern the thoughts and intent of your heart”
  8. “Be a doer of the Word of God and not just a hearer only”
  9. “Give an answer to every man by a reason of hope that is in you"
  10. “Be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”
  11. “Know you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and to know you have eternal life”
  12. “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”
  13. “Receive a blessing from reading, hearing, and keeping the Word of God”

Christians Should Take a Stand

Quoting scriptures cannot get you to heaven, but it is one of the first steps in learning the Word of God.  David said in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  In fact, Satan quoted (actually misquoted) scriptures to Jesus:

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  (Matthew 4:5-7)

Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:16 and Satan was quoting from Psalm 91:11.  If Satan can attempt to quote scriptures, Christians should learn to quote scriptures.

Many people, including Christians, say they do not discuss religion or politics.  The main reason is that they are uninformed in both areas.  Have you ever met someone that loves talking about sports?  In some cases, you cannot get a word in edgewise to stop that person from talking.  If most Christians knew the Word of God as they do sport and movie celebrities, they would be powerhouses for the Lord.  The Bible says that Christians should:

If Non-Christians can tell their dirty jokes, Christians should speak the Word of God with all boldness and confidence.

Summary

If knowledge is power, how much more powerful can Christians be if they tap into the knowledge of the Word of God.  The Bible says:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.  (Hosea 4:6)

© 2012, RMCS, All rights reserved.

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Divide And Conquer Principle

Demo on YouTube  
S
tudy to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

DIVIDE AND CONQUER PRINCIPLE

PRINCIPLE: To learn most scriptures, BREAK THEM APART (divide) and SEE (conquer) what makes it easier for you to remember them. Then, put them back together (unite) when you quote them.

If you use the principle and techniques explained in this section, you can learn scriptures easier by dividing scriptures into logical blocks or chunks and looking for specific things (hints, reminders, indicators, etc.)

As you break them apart, look for the following:

Look for Key Words or Key Phrases

To learn most scriptures effectively, look for key words or key phrases to help you associate scripture(s) in your mind.



Procedures for identifying and using key words or key phrases:

  1. Identify key words or key phrases.
  2. Use them as springboards (starting points) for the remainder of the scripture passage(s) you are learning.

To assist you in identifying key words or key phrases and to appreciate the usefulness of this technique, you need a basic understanding of a sentence structure.  The basic units of a sentence are the simple subject(s) and simple verb(s).  Most other words or phrases simply revolve around them.  As a result, you can remove surrounding words or phrases and still have a complete sentence.  This concept is important to note because many words or phrases in a sentence are descriptors.  Their purpose is to describe or give additional meaning to a sentence without affecting its overall structure.  The following verse illustrates this point:

Matthew 4:23

And JESUS WENT about all Galilee,  
  TEACHING in their synagogues,   and
  PREACHING the gospel of the kingdom, and
  HEALING all manner of sickness and
    all manner of disease  
    among the people.  

If you delete every word except the simple subject and verbs in the above verse, you still have basically a complete sentence that maintains the essence of the verse:

JESUS WENT TEACHING, PREACHING, and HEALING.

(The word and was intentionally added to make the sentence flow smoothly.)

Except for the word and, the other phrases in the above verse are descriptors.  They usually respond to the questions:

  • What?
  • When?
  • Where?
  • How?

Examine these descriptors below for details.  Notice how they give additional meaning to the simple verbs (WENT, TEACHING, PREACHING, and HEALING):

about all Galilee   describes where Jesus WENT
in their synagogues   describes where Jesus TAUGHT
the gospel of the kingdom  describes what Jesus PREACHED
all manner of sickness and  
all manner of disease  describes what Jesus HEALED
among the people   describes where Jesus HEALED

Let us look at another passage.  Notice how the primary key words (ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK) and the secondary key words (given/receive, find, and opened) stand out among the other words to highlight the important terms in this passage:

MATTHEW 7:7-8 or LUKE 11:9-10

... ASK and it shall be given    you;
  SEEK,    and ye  shall   find;    
  KNOCK, and it shall be opened    unto you:
  For every one         that
  ASKETH       receiveth; and   he that
  SEEKETH      findeth; and   to him that
  KNOCKETH        it shall be opened.    

Having this basic knowledge helps you to learn scriptures quicker.  You will see later how you can use the logical flow technique to “spin off” these key words or phrases to “develop” the remainder of the verse(s).

TIP:  Let Your Words Be Made Known

Accentuate (pronounce with a stress or accent) the primary and secondary key words or phrases as you quote a scripture passage.  This technique can help to reinforce the scripture passage in your memory.  Practice on the previous passage.   Accentuate the primary key words (ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK) and the secondary key words (given/receive, find, and opened) as you quote them.

Similarities or Differences

Look for Similarities or Differences

Another way to learn scriptures is to identify similarities or differences in key words and phrases.

 

Procedures for identifying similarities or differences:

  1. Identify what the verse(s) has in common (similarities)
  2. Identify key words and phrases not in common (differences).
  3. Collapse these similarities and differences into an easily remembered phrase or a sentence-like structure.
  4. Use this phrase or sentence-like structure to expand (unfold) the scripture(s) in your mind as you quote it by “spinning off” the similarities and differences of key words and phrases.

The following scripture illustrates this point:

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

Finally, brethren,
  whatsoever things are  TRUE,
  whatsoever things are  HONEST,
  whatsoever things are  JUST,
  whatsoever things are  PURE,
  whatsoever things are LOVELY,
  whatsoever things are OF GOOD REPORT;
  if there be any  VIRTUE,
  if there be any PRAISE,
think on these things.

Follow procedures below to identify similarities or differences for the above scripture:

  1. Identify common phrases (similarities):
    • whatsoever things are
    • if there be any

  2. Identify key words and phrases (differences):
    • Finally, brethren
    • TRUE
    • HONEST
    • JUST
    • PURE
    • LOVELY
    • OF GOOD REPORT
    • VIRTUE
    • PRAISE
    • think on these things

  3. Collapse this passage into a easily remembered sentence-like format:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, and of GOOD REPORT; if there be any VIRTUE or PRAISE, think on these things.

  1. Use this sentence-like format to expand (unfold) the scripture in your mind as you quote it by “spinning off” the similarities and differences of key words or phrases:

Differences (Key words): TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, and LOVELY
Differences (Key phrases): Finally brethren, of GOOD REPORT, and think on these things
Similarities: whatsoever things are, and if there be any

TIP:  Make a Real Sentence

Instead of a sentence-like format as in the above example, create real sentence(s) from the key words and phrases themselves to help link them.  For instance, instead of trying to remember the above series of key words and phrases without any association, create these sentences:

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE and HONEST will be JUST PURE and LOVELY and OF a GOOD REPORT.  If there be any VIRTUE or PRAISE, think on these things.

You may need to add additional words to make the sentence(s) more memorable.  You can then use these sentence(s) to expand on the key words and phrases as you quote the scripture(s).

The following example further highlights this technique:

1 CORINTHIANS 13:11

When I was      a child,  
  I  SPAKE as a child,  
  I  THOUGHT as a child,  
  I    UNDERSTOOD as a child,    but
when I became     a man,  
  I  put away           childish things.

You can make the following sentence-like format:

When I was a child, I SPAKE, THOUGHT, and UNDERSTOOD as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.


The following are some additional verses for your review.  See if you can think of sentence-like formats using their key words and phrases.  While reading, notice how the primary and secondary key words and phrases capture your attention:

1 CORINTHIANS 9:6

But this I say,
  He which SOWETH   sparingly  shall
    REAP also sparingly; and
  he which SOWETH   bountifully shall
    REAP also bountifully.  

1 CORINTHIANS 13:8

Charity never faileth, but
  whether there be   PROPHECIES,    they shall   fail;
  whether there be  TONGUES they shall   cease;
  whether there be KNOWLEDGE,   it      shall  vanish away

1 CORINTHIANS 14:15

What is it then?
  I will PRAY with the spirit, and
  I will PRAY with the understanding also:
  I will SING with the  spirit,    and
  I will   SING with the understanding also.

2 CORINTHIANS 7:11

 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
         what CAREFULNESS IT WROUGHT IN YOU,
  yea,what CLEARING OF YOURSELVES,
  yea,what INDIGNATION,
  yea,what FEAR,
  yea,what VEHEMENT DESIRE,
  yea,what ZEAL,
  yea,what REVENGE!
In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

EPHESIANS 6:12

For we wrestle not
  against     FLESH AND BLOOD                                                 but
  against  PRINCIPALITIES,
  against POWERS,
  against THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD,
  against   SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.

PHILIPPIANS 3:2

Beware of DOGS,
beware of   EVIL WORKERS,
beware of    THE CONCISION [MUTILATORS].

PROVERBS 6: 22

When thou       GOEST,  it shall  lead thee;
 when thou  SLEEPEST,   it shall     keep   thee       and
 when thou AWAKEST,   it shall    talk with thee.

To help learn this verse, you can make the following sentence:
When thou GO to SLEEP and then AWAKE it [the Holy Spirit] shall lead, keep, and talk with thee.

PSALM 1:1

 Blessed is the man that
   WALKETH   not in the  counsel  of the ungodly,     nor
  STANDETH   in the way of the     sinners,       nor
       SITTETH      in the seat of the  scornful.

To further help you remember this verse, notice that primary key words are body positions: walk, stand, or sit
You will see later how you can use the storybook technique to “develop” larger scripture passages from their key words and phrases.

Logical Flow or a Logical Result

Look for a Logical Flow or a Logical Result

Since you have already learned how to identify key words/phrases and similarities/differences, this technique uses the two key steps from the previous two techniques as well as an additional step to determine if there is a logical flow or a logical result.

Cross Reference: See previous sections, “Look for Key Words or Phrases” and “Look for Similarities and Differences,” for review, if needed.

Procedures to identify a logical flow or a logical result:

  1. Identify key words or phrases.
  2. Determine if there are any similarities or differences in the verse(s).
  3. Try to glean (collected bit by bit) a logical flow or a logical result from these key words or phrases.

Follow this simple guideline to determine if a passage has a logical flow or a logical result:  Just as the natural result of an apple tree is to yield apples, the logical flow or logical result of a specific word is the natural outcome of that particular word.  For example:

  • The logical result of ASKING is being given or receiving something.
  • The logical result of SEEKING is finding something.
  • The logical result of KNOCKING is something (e.g., a door) being opened.

The following verses demonstrates this technique:

Once you identify that a verse(s) has a logical flow or shows a logical result, you can easily derive the remainder of the verse(s), simply by knowing the primary key words or phrases (ASK, SEEK, or KNOCK, in this case) and thinking of their logical results (given/receive, find, or opened, respectively) which are the secondary key words or phrases.

The following exercise demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique:

  1. Attempt to recall the entire list below after slowly reading it ONCE:
    • Shoes, Hat, Hands, Legs, Gloves, Shirt, Head, Back, Pants, and Feet
  2. Now, attempt to recall this same list after slowly reading it ONCE:
    • Hat, Head, Shirt, Back, Gloves, Hands, Pants, Legs, Shoes, and Feet

For most people, the second list is easier to remember because there is a logical connection and a logical flow between the word pairs:
A hat goes on a head, a shirt goes on a back, gloves go on hands, and so on.

Since there is a logical flow from the top of the head to the feet, you can logically reason the ones you may have missed as you progress through the list, even if you did not see a pattern initially.

If you did not detect the logical flow in the second list, after seeing the logical pattern, the second list becomes easy to remember even though the first list has the same items in it.


Look at another verse that deals with the logical result of knocking in a similar example:

REVELATION 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Notice the logical progression in the above verse:

  • The logical result of Jesus knocking at the door and someone hearing his voice is the door being opened.
  • The logical result of the door being opened is Jesus coming in.
  • The logical result of Jesus coming in is to sup with him.
  • The logical result of him supping with Jesus is Jesus supping with him.

The last two phrases are not as apparent as the first two phrases are; however, once you learn these phrases, they become natural to you.

TIP:  Look for Distinct Differences

Notice in the previous verse Jesus did not come into his house but rather into him.  The key is to look for unique difference(s) within a verse.  This technique will jar your memory the next time you quote the verse because you will become conscious of the unique difference.  For example, most Christians misquote 2 Corinthians 4:4 by saying, “...the god of this world hath blinded the eyes of them which believe not...”  When in reality, the Bible says, “...blinded the minds...” (not eyes).  Noticing this unusual difference when you are learning this verse will trigger an “autocorrecting feature” in your mind the next time you quote it.


MATTHEW 13:15

For this people’s
  HEART is waxed gross,     and  their
  EARS are dull of hearing     and  their
  EYES  they have closed;        
lest at any time they       should
  SEE    with their EYES, and  
  HEAR   with their EARS and should
  UNDERSTAND   with their HEART and should
  be converted,     and I should
  heal them.        

Notice the logical flow:
First part: What would block the function of these organs (HEART, EARS, EYES)?

  • Wax gross, dull of hearing, and having your eye closed, respectively.

Second part: What are the functions of these items?

  • You see with what?  Your EYES.
  • You hear with what?  Your EARS.
  • You understand with what?  Your HEART (or MIND).

While the verse below was used in the "Looking for Key Words or Key Phrases" section to identify key words/phrases, emphasis is placed on the logical flow of logical result of this passage in this section.

Matthew 4:23

And Jesus went about all Galilee,
  TEACHING in their synagogues,   and
  PREACHING the gospel (of the kingdom), and
  HEALING all manner of sickness   and
    all manner of disease (among the people).

Jesus WENT TEACHING, PREACHING, and HEALING.  Examine the logical flow:

  • A logical place to TEACH is in a synagogue (or church).
  • A logical thing to PREACH is the gospel.
  • Logical things to HEAL are sickness and disease.

To obtain a logical flow from the previous verse correctly, you have to think in a spiritual sense.  For example, if you are asked, “Where is a logical place to teach?”, you may readily think of a school rather than of a synagogue or church.  However, if you are asked, “From a Christian standpoint, where is a logical place to teach?”, you are more inclined to say a church or synagogue rather than a school.

Notice the phrases that are intentionally placed in parentheses.  These phrases are descriptors.
These descriptors illustrate or give additional meaning to the primary key words or phrases:

  • What kind of gospel did Jesus PREACHED?                        the gospel of the kingdom
  • Where did Jesus HEALED?                                                   among the people

Cross Reference:  See “Look for Key Words or Phrases” earlier in this app for details on descriptors.

Hence, you can easily learn this scripture by simply knowing that Jesus TAUGHT, PREACHED, and HEALED and thinking of the logical results (places/things) of these actions.


Below are some additional examples:

2 TIMOTHY 4:7

I have FOUGHT  a good  fight,
I have     FINISHED  my   course [a race],
I have   KEPT     the  faith.
  • A logical thing to have FOUGHT is a fight.
  • A logical thing to have FINISHED is a course [a race].
  • A logical thing to have KEPT is faith [in God]

Again, think in spiritual terms when you want to obtain the desired results.

PROVERBS 6:10

Yet A little   SLEEP,  
  A little   SLUMBER,
  A little FOLDING OF THE HANDS TO SLEEP.

TIP:  Forecast Before You Broadcast

To assist you in remembering the logical flow or logical result of a passage of verses, predict what the verses will say before you finish reading them.  For example:

  • If you are told that every good tree brings forth good fruit...

What would you predict every corrupt tree will bring forth using the logical technique mentioned in this section?  You immediately think corrupt fruit.  The Bible actually says evil fruit, but your answer is sufficient to get started.

  • Then, if you are told that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit...

What would you predict a corrupt tree cannot bring forth using the logical technique again?  You guessed it: good fruit.

Look at the complete scripture passage below to enhance this point.  While you read it, predict the upcoming phrases:

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (Matthew 7:16-19)

Hence, predicting what verses will say can be a tremendous aid to you.

Acronym

Acronym Technique

Associate scriptures you are learning with an acronym.  An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a name, as WAC for Women's Army Corps, or by combining initial letters of parts of a series of words, as RADAR for RAdio Detecting And Ranging.
Procedure in creating an acronym:

  • Determine if you can make an acronym from the verses you are learning.

The following verses shows examples of their corresponding acronyms:

Matthew 7:7-8 or Luke 11:9-10 says, “...Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

With careful observation, you will discover that these verses form the acronym ASK.  The key letters are highlighted in blue and larger text.

MATTHEW 7:7-8 or LUKE 11:9-10

... ASK and it shall be given   you;
  SEEK,    and ye  shall   find;    
  KNOCK, and it shall be opened    unto you:
  For every one         that
  ASKETH       receiveth; and   he that
  SEEKETH      findeth; and   to him that
  KNOCKETH        it shall be opened.    

The acronym ASK is a perfect example because it helps you to learn the verses easily and it gives you the definition of the word pray is–to ASK or petition God. Moreover, not only do the keywords form two acronyms of the word ASK but notice the first two key words are acronynm themselves.

Three-in-one:  Now that you have learned this principle, there are three ways you can learn this scripture passage (Matthew 7:7-8 or Luke 11:9-10) in this app:

  1. Identify Key Words or Phrases–Chapter Five
  2. Identify a Logical Flow or a Logical Result–Chapter Five
  3. Create an Acronym as described above.

Use any or all of these techniques to remember this scripture passage.


To remember what the three wills of God are in Romans 12:2, associate them with the acronym GAP:

...that ye may prove what is the
  GOOD and
  ACCEPTABLE and
  PERFECT    will of God.

Another example of an acronym giving the definition of a specific word is found in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified Bible version).  For instance, a very simple definition of faith is ACTing on the Word of God.  Examining the scripture closely, you find that it spells out the word ACT in the first part of this verse:

Now faith is  the
  ASSURANCE     (the
  CONFIRMATION,        the
  TITLE-DEED) of     the things [we] hope for...

 

TIP:  If It Doesn’t Fit, Then Force It

Sometimes, you may not be able to think of a good word for an acronym.  Do not despair, create one that is close enough to what you want.  Try to create familiar words to use as acronyms (e.g., ASK, GAP, and ACT) and try to relate them to the verses themselves as in some of the previous examples.  You may need to shuffle a few of the phrases in a passage to create an acronym.  For instance, most Christians will not be offended if you used the acronym CAT instead of ACT in the previous example when quoting  Hebrews 11:1, as long as it does not change the meaning of the verse.


Compare this example to the previous acronym:

Now faith is  the
  CONFIRMATION (the
  ASSURANCE  the
  TITLE-DEED) of     the things [we] hope for...

Below is an example of an acronym created by combining initial letters of parts of a series of words, as RADAR for RAdio Detecting And Ranging.  To remember the list of things in 1 Timothy 2:1, think of the word SPRING:


I exhort therefore, that, first of all, Supplications, PRayers, INtercessions, and Giving of thanks, be made for all men; 
(1 Timothy 2:1)


Notice this type of acronym requires you to extract more than one letter from some of the words to create the acronym SPRING.  You can get a better view of the acronym when you write it horizontally as oppose to writing it vertically.


Once you have created an acronym from the key words, the Acronym Principle is effective because it forces you to learn the order of those key words.

Tail-to-Head Relationship

Look for a Tail-to-Head Relationship

You can associate some verses of scriptures by using the tail-to-head technique.  This technique is called tail-to-head because the “tail” of one line starts the “head” of the next line until it ends.

Examine the following example:

Notice how the last key word in the previous line is carried down to the next line until it reaches the last line.

Here is a larger passage.  Again, notice the word and and add:

2 PETER 1:5-7

And beside this, giving all diligence, add

to your FAITH VIRTUE, and
  to VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; and
  to KNOWLEDGE, TEMPERANCE, and
  to TEMPERANCE, PATIENCE; and
  to PATIENCE GODLINESS; and
  to GODLINESS; BROTHERLY
KINDNESS;
and
    BROTHERLY
KINDNESS;
CHARITY.  

The next example is not as obvious but does have a trace of the tail-to-head relationship if you look closely at the key words:

JAMES 1:14

But every man is tempted,
    when he is drawn away by his own LUST, and enticed. Then
    when LUST hath conceived,  it (lust) bringeth forth SIN and
  SIN, when   it is finished bringeth forth DEATH.

Examine the step-like pattern:



Notice the logical progression within this passage: LUST, SIN, and then DEATH.  By using this “tail-to-head” technique, you can link the previous verse to the next verse until you reach the end of the complete passage.

 

Contrast or Comparson

Look for Contrast or Comparison

If the previous techniques do not seem to work well for you, look for a contrast or comparison within the verse(s).
This technique is similar to the “Look for Similarities or Differences” technique.  However, instead of looking for similarities (comparison) or differences (contrast) between key words or phrases, you are required to look for conjunctions or key transitional words or phrases to show contrast and comparison between two parts of a given verse.  Before you review the procedures below, definitions of these terms are given for your convenience:

  • A conjunction is a word that is used to join or connect other words, groups of words, or thoughts.  It links what was said to what is about to be said.
  • A transitional word or phrase is used to link two phrases by making a smooth connection.

Procedures for identifying contrast or comparison:

  1. Identify key transitional words/phrases or conjunctions (They can play a vital role in what the rest of the verse will say. They can show contrast or comparison, give definition, show reason or cause, describe, give condition, show time, and so on.)
  2. Use these key transitional words/phrases or conjunctions to assist you in remembering the remainder of the passage.

Examine the following table carefully before reviewing examples to identify key transitional words/phrases and conjunctions:

Conjunctions or transitional words or phrases

Purpose

Can be used to:

but

to contrast

Introduce a statement in opposition to what came before it

and

to link / to join

Connect same or similar statements

so / that

to describe / to show purpose

State the purpose of, reason for an action expressed earlier; introduce the rejected alternative in a comparison; introduce the second statement of inequality;  introduce a statement that states a result or consequences of something that precedes

than

to compare

Show similarity between two statements

because/for/to

to show cause

Express reason, purpose

as / like

to compare / to show how

Show extent or degree; equally

If / then (See Chapter Six for detail.)

to show condition

Express condition (usually if one condition is met then the other condition will be met [if...then...])

before, during, after, until, when, whenever, while, as long as, and since

to show time

Show when something has occurred or will occur

Review the following sections on conjunctions and key transitional words/phrases:

Conjunction: And

Conjunction: And

In the verses below, THE SECOND HALF of the verse IS SAYING BASICALLY THE SAME THING AS THE FIRST HALF but in a different way:

PROVERBS 11:25

  The LIBERAL SOUL  shall be made fat:
AND HE THAT WATERETH shall be watered also himself.

Notice that the “liberal soul” and “he that watereth” are referring to basically the same type of person.

PROVERBS 11:29

  HE THAT TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE shall inherit the wind:
AND THE FOOL   shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Notice again that “he that troubleth his own house” and “the fool” are the same.

Conjunction: But

Conjunction: But

In some of the following verses, the action of one type of PERSON (e.g., wise, prudent, simple, righteous, or diligent) is linked by the conjunction “but” to the OPPOSITE (negative) type of PERSON (e.g., fool or wicked) and HIS action.

Also note that the action of one type of THING (e.g., merry heart) is linked by the conjunction “but” to the OPPOSITE (negative) type of THING (e.g., broken spirit) and ITS action

Review the following examples:

PROVERBS 10:3-4

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the RIGHTEOUS to famish:
BUT he casteth away the substance of the WICKED.
           
  He becometh POOR that dealeth with a slack hand:
BUT  the HAND OF THE DILIGENT maketh  rich.

Notice that the “righteous/wicked” and the “poor/the hand of the diligent (rich) are exact opposites of each other.

PROVERBS 14:15-16, and 18

  The  SIMPLE      believeth every word:
BUT  the PRUDENT man looketh well to his going.
           
  WISE man feareth, and departeth from evil:
BUT the FOOL    rageth, and is confident.
           
  The SIMPLE   inherit folly:
BUT  the PRUDENT    are crowned with knowledge.

Notice again that the words “simple/prudent” and “wise/fool are exact opposites of each other.

PROVERBS 14:30

  A SOUND HEART  is the   life  of the flesh:
BUT ENVY      the  rottenness  of the bones.

PROVERB 17:22

  A MERRY HEART   doeth good  like a medicine:
BUT  a BROKEN SPIRIT  drieth     the bones.

The transition BUT is important to notice in some scripture passages because it helps you to keep verses within its context.  For example, some Christians quote 1 Corinthians 2:9 which says:

... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God hath prepared for them that love him.

However,  they sometimes forget to quote the next verse which says:
BUT  God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit...

Without quoting this verse, someone may think that Christians may not know the things God have prepared for them.

Conjunction: So

Conjunction: So

THE FIRST PART of the verses below DESCRIBES THE SUBJECT OF THE SECOND PART.  Notice the words As and is:

PROVERBS 11:22

  As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout,
SO   is a fair woman which is without discretion.

PROVERBS 25:13, 20, 23, 25, and 27

  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
SO  is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
   
  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre,
SO  is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
   
  The north wind driveth away rain:
SO  doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
   
  As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
SO is good news from a far country.
   
  It is not good to eat much honey:
SO for men to search their own glory is not glory.

PROVERBS 26:1-2, 7, 9, 11, 14, and 18-21

  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
SO honor is not seemly for a fool
   
  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,
SO the curse causeless shall not come.
   
  The legs of the lame are not equal:
SO is a parable in the mouth of fools.
   
  As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
SO is a parable in the mouth of fools.
   
  As a dog returneth to his vomit,
SO a fool returneth to his folly.
   
  As the door turneth upon his hinges,
SO doth the slothful upon his bed.
   
  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
SO  is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
   
  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:
SO  where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
   
  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;
SO is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Transitional Word: Than

Transitional Word: Than

THE FIRST PART of the verses below IS IN COMPARISON TO THE SECOND PART.  Notice the phrase Better is:

 PROVERBS 15:16-17

  Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
THAN  great treasure and trouble therewith.
   
  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,
THAN  an house full of sacrifices with strife.

PROVERBS 19:1

  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
THAN he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

PROVERBS 21:9

  It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top,
THAN  with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Transitional Words: Like / As

Transitional Words: Like/As

THE WORD LIKE OR AS IS USED TO SHOW COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO PHRASES.  Hence, look for verses that describe a particular subject.  Key phrases are is like, are like, is as.

PROVERBS 25:14, 19, and 26

  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift
IS LIKE clouds and wind without rain.
   
  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
IS LIKE a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
   
  A righteous man falling down before the wicked
IS AS a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

PROVERBS 26:17 and 23

  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,
IS LIKE one that taketh a dog by the ears.
   
  Burning lips and a wicked heart
ARE LIKE a potsherd covered with silver dross.

 

 

© 2012, RMCS, All rights reserved.

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Other Principles

This DEMO app show only one principle (Divide & Conquer) of many principles available in a series on the app market:

  1. Divide & Conquer Principle
  2. Seek & Scan Principle
  3. Relationship Principle
  4. Convenience Principle
  5. Linking Principle
  6. Collapse & Expand Principle
  7. Visualization Principle

© 2012, RMCS, All rights reserved.

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Conventions Used

TYPE STYLE: USED TO HIGHLIGHT:
BOLD AND ALL CAPITAL LETTERS PRIMARY KEY WORDS OR PHRASES
Bold (no capital letter, except for first letter of a word, phrase, or sentence) Secondary Key Words or Phrases
Underline Letters or words that are the same in the same verse(s); words that are similar;  show emphasis and usually are stacked on top of one another when verse is formatted.
Italicize Key transitional words/conjunctions  (e.g., but, and), specialized terms, or words italicized in the King James Bible
Red typeface Words of Jesus (except where formatting is included for emphasis.)
Normal typeface

Regular text

Square brackets [ .....] Used to define certain words (i.e., Enter ye in at the STRAIT [NARROW] gatea: ... and BROAD [SPACIOUS] is the way... Matthew 7:13-14)

Where possible, passages are formatted with intro, transitional phrases and outro. GIVE EXAMPLE. Mat. 13:15 or shorter.

To better accomodate smart phones, some scripture phrases are placed in two lines. For example, HE THAT TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE is placed on two separate lines instead of one:

PROVERBS 11:29

  HE THAT TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE shall inherit the wind:
AND THE FOOL   shall be servant to the wise of heart.

© 2012, RMCS, All rights reserved.

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