A Starter Guide to Doing Systematic Theology

In my previous post I discussed several reasons why systematic theology should be practiced by the Church. Perhaps one of the obstacles that prevents many Christian plumbers or Christian daycare providers from formally practicing systematic theology is that they do not know where to start. The truth is that systematic theology takes very few resources (so long as you have a Bible you can do it) and can be done by anyone who is willing to take some time to seriously study what God has said about a particular topic. Here is a simple starter's guide for those who want to begin doing formal systematic theology:

1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will aid your study, keeping you from error and guiding you in the truth. Remember: God is not an object to be studied like an amoeba or the teenage dating trends. He is the God of the universe! He reveals himself on his terms, not ours.
2. Make a list of keywords that are relevant to the topic you are studying. For instance, if your topic of interest if the Lord’s Supper you may want to choose key words like ‘Bread’, ‘Wine’, ‘Lord’s Supper’, ‘Eucharist’, ‘Communion’. Some keywords you expect to find might not be in the Bible translation you are using. Other times new key words may present themselves that you did not expect to use (e.g. 'Passover').
3. Search your Bible for the places where these key words are used. There are several ways to do this:
• Use the concordance at the back of your Bible. Many Bibles have a concordance at the back. The concordance is sorted alphabetically and will allow you to see the book, chapter, and verse where the word is used (e.g. 1 Cor. 11:20). Fuller concordances (such as Strong’s) are also available for more detailed results.
• Online resources such as Biblegateway.com or esvbible.org allow you to use a keyboard search to find where words are used in the Bible. The advantage of Biblegateway.com is that you can quickly search multiple bible translations for your subject of interest. 
• Bible software. There are several excellent Bible Software programs available (such as Logos, Accordance, or Bibleworks). These make keyword topic searches fast and easy.
4. Make note of the verses that are relevant to your study (if you were studying the Holy Spirit you would ignore where a human’s spirit is spoke of).
5. Make note of what the relevant passages say about your topic (note: be sure to examine the wider context of the verses turned up in your keyword search. This is important to make sure you are treating what the passage is saying in a manner that is fair and accurate). A more thorough study will consult Bible commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and the work of other faithful students of Scripture to study the text.
6. Summarize the themes and teaches of each particular verse as it relates to the subject of study. Take note of common themes.
7. Summarize the summaries. After summarizing each passage try to summarize the themes and teachings you’ve identified. How do these verses fit together? What is the unified teaching of these verses?
8. Consult other systematic theology books on the subject. How do your findings compare? Are they significantly different? Is that because of a relevant verse the book’s author failed to consider? Is there something you have missed? Is the difference a matter of emphasis? Theological differences can arise. Our concern must always be that our positions are grounded in a faithful reading of Scripture, not that we produce popular conclusions. It may be beneficial to note the differences between your study and the resources you’ve consulted. Consider responding to or explaining these differences. In this way your position can be strengthened or modified in accordance with the truth. At this point, consider returning to your study or modifying your conclusions as necessary.
9. Make a brief list of how you can apply your findings in your own life and in the life of the church. Try to be both specific and realistic (Face it! You’re unlikely to pray an hour at dawn every day thanking God that you were sprinkled and not dunked in baptismal waters as an infant. Perhaps there is another means of applying this doctrine).
10. Talk to a respected Christian friend or mentor about your study. Discuss your conclusions and how you met them. Ask them for their input into how your findings can be applied. 
11. Pray. Thank God for his guidance in your study and for the resources made available to you to use. Praise him for any new things about him that you have learned. Ask God for his grace and help to apply what you have learned. Ask him help you as you continue to study a particular subject or wrestle with doubts and further questions.