1. Bible Study Techniques
Correlation

2. Overview Overview of Correlation Cross-References Paraphrasing
Outlines
Other Translations
Charts

3. Overview
This lesson relies very heavily on the book Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible by Walter Henrichsen and Gayle Jackson

4. Overview of Correlation
What is Correlation?
Correlation is answering the question "where else does the Bible talk about this concept/character/event/etc...?"
Correlation is primarily done through cross-referencing
Word
Parallel
Corresponding
Historical
Idea
Contrast
There are some other forms of correlation
Paraphrasing
Outlines
Other Translations
Charts

5. Cross-References Word Cross-References
Useful when dealing with keywords
Tools include
Concordance with Strong's Numbers
Bible Dictionaries

6. Cross-References Corresponding Cross-References
A corresponding cross-reference can refer to any one of several things
A New Testament quote of an Old Testament verse
2 or more passages referring to the same event
Tools include
Concordance
Other uses of keywords
Synonyms
Related words
Treasure of Scripture Knowledge (TSK)
Available on Blue Letter Bible
Verse cross reference charts

7. Cross-References Historical Cross-References
Historical cross-references allow you to find events that were happening at the same time as a passage in the immediate area or world
Tools include
TSK sometimes include historical tidbits
Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Timelines
Baker Book of Bible Charts, Maps, & Timelines
Timetables of History
A Bible handbook can help you find out about when a book was written

8. Cross-References Idea Cross-References
Idea, or topical, cross-references are made when the Bible talks about a subject in more than one place
Tools include
Topical Bibles such as the Nave's
Chain reference Bibles such as Thompson's

9. Cross-References Contrasting Cross-References
This is the same as word cross-references except that you are looking for antonyms and contrasting ideas

10. Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is a form of correlation where you write a passage in your own words
Do not stray from the ideas in the passage
This is not a summary or your observations and interpretation
As an example, compare any verse in your Bible to the Message translation

11. Outlines Outlining is similar to paraphrasing
Be sure to include all of the authors ideas
This can add a new perspective to a familiar passage

12. Other Translations
Comparing passage in different translations can be helpful
It adds a new perspective to a familiar passage
Brings out nuances in a passage that might have been difficult to see in another translation

13. Charts
Charts can help you identify the relationship between a passage and the verses surrounding it
There are several formats you can use
Survey
Comparative
Topical Grids
Passage Descriptions
Chronological Charts
Illustrations

14. Charts
Survey charts allow you to understand an entire passage in a glance
Example Survey Chart
Title (Book ch:vs-vs)
Main Idea 1
Main Idea 2
Main Idea 3
Main Idea 4
Main Idea 5
Main Idea 6 v1
v10
v11
v15
v16
v19
v20
v21
Related Idea a1
Related Idea a2
Related Idea a3
Related Idea a4
Related Idea b1
Related Idea b2
Related Idea b3
Related Idea b4

15. Charts Comparative charts are used to sort a mix of information
Example comparative chart using Paul's missionary journeys
Paul's Journeys
Journey
Date
Places visited/ length of stay
Churches  established
Travel Companions
Letters Written 1 2 3

16. Topic: my topic, Passage: the passage
Charts
Topical grids are used to sort a mix of information and break down the topics discussed in a passage
Example topical chart
Topic: my topic, Passage: the passage
Verse
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Topic 4 1 2 3

17. Charts
Passage descriptions can help you understand the content in a chapter
Break down the chapter into paragraphs
List the starting and ending verse of each paragraph
Write down key thoughts in the blocks with a reference to the verse
Example passage description chart
Passage: the passage
Paragraph 1 – vv. a1-z1
Paragraph 2 – vv. a2-z2
Paragraph 3 – vv. a3-z3
v. d1: description
v. r2: description
v. b3: description
v. f1: description
v. t2: description
v. g3: description
v. k1: description
v. x2: description
v. z3: description

18. Title: Jesus's Ministry
Charts
Chronological charts can help you understand the order of events
Example chronological chart
Title: Jesus's Ministry
Ministry Year
Mathew
Mark 1 2 3

19. Charts
Illustrations are a way to creatively express the idea or flow of a passage

20. Materials and Resources
Links to materials and resources mentioned, as well as the handouts, PowerPoint slides, and lecture notes, can be found at