Discover Dispensational Bible Study to Grow Strong in Your Faith

Grow strong in your faith with Dispensational Bible study. Learn how to rightly divide God’s word and unlock the mystery of scripture.

My faith has always been an important part of my life. Since becoming a wife and mother I understand the value of Biblical knowledge and understanding on a deeper level.

It’s important that I myself am grounded in doctrine to have the ability to love and serve my family. I minister to my children daily in a variety of ways, the most important being sharing the gospel with them. I share God’s Word with them in hope that they understand the truth of the gospel for themselves one day.

My Personal Testimony

I trusted the gospel when I was a fourteen year old girl. I had grown up in church, some of which were quite legalistic. My personality paired with legalistic teaching caused me to be self righteous, trusting in my own good works and ultimately lost, without hope. When I was fourteen I heard the gospel, understood the message of “by grace, through faith” and knew that I was a sinner with nothing good in myself.

I trusted in Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection as my only means of hope and salvation. On this day my eternal destiny was secured, however my understanding of Scripture was still wavering.

I continued to attend churches on varying ends of the spectrum both legalistic and contemporary. These churches varied greatly in their “style” of worship, dress code and activities. However, what they all had in common was their misunderstanding of Scripture and their blending of messages throughout the Bible.

I struggled with doubts and confusion in my spiritual life, trying to reconcile the contradictions of scripture until in my late 20’s I discovered dispensational Bible study.

Dispensational Bible study has changed my life. I have a deeper understanding of Scripture, greater confidence in who I am in Christ and assurance as I share the truth of the gospel with others. My hope is that as I share more about understanding the Bible dispensationally that you too will experience this growth.

The Key to Dispensational Bible Study

The key to understanding your Bible from a dispensational stand point is to STUDY.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

So often we want to attend church services, participate in community groups or read a feel good devotional and call it a day. None of these things are wrong, however they are not true Bible study. If we truly want to understand Scripture, we must read and study God’s word.

We must ingest its Words in order for them to work in a through us.

What does Dispensation Mean?

The word dispensation is defined as a system of order, government, or organization of a nation, community, etc., especially as existing at a particular time.

What is Dispensational Bible Study?

Dispensational Bible study is a method of interpreting the Bible that emphasizes the idea that God has interacted with humanity in different ways during distinct periods or “dispensations” of history. Each dispensation is seen as a unique way in which God governs or administers His relationship with people, with different expectations, responsibilities, and ways of revealing Himself.

As a dispensationalist I believe that all of the Bible is profitable for my learning but not everything written in Scripture is addressed specifically to me.

Key Concepts of Dispensational Bible Study

There are several key concepts that set dispensational Bible study apart from other methods of studying Scripture.

1. God’s Plan in Dispensations

A dispensation is essentially an era or administrative period in God’s plan where specific rules or covenants govern human behavior and God’s expectations.

2. The Literal Interpretation of Scripture

Dispensationalists strongly emphasize interpreting the Bible literally, especially prophetic passages. For example, promises made to Israel in the Old Testament are seen as literally applying to ethnic/national Israel, not spiritually transferred to the Church.

3. A Distinction Between Israel and the Church, the Body of Christ

A hallmark of dispensational theology is the clear separation between Israel (God’s earthly people with promises of a land and kingdom) and the Church, the Body of Christ (a distinct, heavenly people in the current era).

4. Understanding of the End Times

Dispensationalists often have a detailed, structured view of end times (eschatology). They tend to be premillennial (believing Christ will return before a literal 1000-year reign) and many are pre-tribulational (believing the Church will be raptured before a period of tribulation).

A Specific Message Given to a Specific Apostle

The Apostle Paul was uniquely given a new and distinct revelation of the Gospel, to be preached to the Gentiles — and that it differs in content and scope from what Jesus and the Twelve Apostles preached to Israel. (Romans 16:25; Galatians 1:11-12)

What is Distinct About Paul’s Message?

1. Salvation by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone

Paul emphasizes salvation completely apart from the Law of Moses, on the basis of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4).
While Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on “the Gospel of the Kingdom” (i.e., the arrival of Israel’s promised Kingdom — Matt. 4:17), Paul’s message centered on individual justification and a new, international body of believers — the Church, the Body of Christ.

2. No Distinction Between Jew and Gentile

Paul teaches that in the Body of Christ, Jew and Gentile are equal (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14). This was radically different from Israel’s covenantal system, where Gentiles could only approach God through Israel.

3. The “Mystery” — The Church, the Body of Christ

Paul claims that the formation of a spiritual Body, made up of Jew and Gentile without distinction, was not revealed in the Old Testament.
Ephesians 3:6 — “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”

What I have shared so far are some basic beliefs of dispensational Bible study. In order to understand this further you must learn how to “rightly divide” Scripture. Below are some instructions on how you can begin to study your Bible in this way and grow in your faith.

How to Rightly Divide Scripture

1. Identify the Audience

Is the passage written to:

• Israel under the Law? (Old Testament, Gospels, early Acts)
• The Church, the Body of Christ? (Paul’s epistles: Romans–Philemon)
• Future Israel? (Prophecy about the Tribulation or Kingdom — Revelation, Old Testament prophets)

2. Understand the Dispensation

What era or administration is being talked about?

• Are people under Law? (e.g., Exodus – John)
• Under Grace? (Paul’s writings — current Church Age)
• Under Kingdom rule? (future Millennium)

3. Don’t Mix Instructions Across Programs

For example:

• Tithing, Sabbath-keeping, dietary laws — clearly for Israel under the Law, not the Church.
• “Sell all you have and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33) — spoken to disciples preparing for the coming Kingdom, not to the Body of Christ today.
• Water baptism — commanded in Acts for Israel’s repentance, but Paul emphasizes Spirit baptism into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

4. Let Paul’s Epistles Be Your Guidebook for Today

Paul explicitly says he is the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13) and that his instructions apply to the Body of Christ today.
So when in doubt — default to Paul’s letters (Romans–Philemon) for doctrine, duty, and church practice.

Where to Learn More

I know that if you have never heard the words “dispensational Bible study” or “right division of Scripture” this can all seem like a lot, but I encourage you to dig deeper.

Dispensational Bible study is the key to understanding your Bible, growing in your faith and being confident as you share the gospel with others around you.

My husband and I actually started a small church meeting for other like minded believers to come together and study the Bible dispensationally. It has been a joy to study and share with others. If you would like to learn more please check out our website HERE.

Comment below with your questions and let’s grow together as we study God’s Word.