Studying a topic is effective for the student with a working familiarity of the Bible.  Topics can include an almost unlimited number of subjects or ideas.  Most reference Bibles include some sort of topical cross reference system and it is not too difficult to develop a system based on the student’s interests and abilities.  Word studies using concordances or dictionaries can be used to identify verses that contain key words in the topic.  Familiar words will not usually allow a focus sharp enough to be helpful since there will be so many verses that contain those words.  In those cases, a short phrase will help to narrow the scope of the study.

Many affordable and easy to use computer programs are now available to those who have access to a computer and knowledge of the software.  Topical study is very simple with a computer.  But, for those who would rather use books, many simple tools are well known.  Nave’s Topical Bible has helped several generations and the Thompson Chain Reference Bible is almost a library in itself.  Many helpful books are keyed to Strong’s Concordance numbers and there are “Englishmen’s” concordances that allow study of both Hebrew and Greek words for those who only read English. 

Selecting topics from suggested lists, or from topics studied in Sunday School or church services provides enough fresh material for a lifetime of Bible study.  Probably the most helpful way to select a topic for study is in connection with other forms of Bible study.  For example, in reading through the Bible, many topics will suggest themselves as the reader finds words or subjects which he needs to know better in order to understand or appreciate the text he has read.  With this kind of “mental filing system” in place it is easy to understand new passages when they include something learned from previous topical Bible study.