 |
| How To Study Your Bible |
 |
| There are many different methods of Bible study. Eventually you will want to develop one which works for you. If you have never done much study of the Bible on your own and don't know what to do then here is what I would suggest you do: |
| Find A Regular Time To Study: There are no rules as to when you study the Bible so pick a time when you can count on being left alone and set it aside for study. Probably about half an hour would do. |
| Find A Place To Study: If you can find a place where you won't be disturbed that is best but you may have to do the best you can. Suzanna Wesley the mother of John and Charles Wesley had nineteen children. Every day at a certain time she would sit at the kitchen table and cover her head with her apron. The children were trained that that was her time to spend with the Lord and they left her alone. |
| Gather Together What You Need: You will need a Bible (Equivalency Translation), a concordance (with a Hebrew and Greek dictionary), a dictionary, a note book and a pen or pencil. |
| Pick A Passage Of Scripture To Study: I would suggest that you start with the Gospel of John. The reason is that John was the "beloved Disciple" and his writings seem to show more of the loving nature and character of Christ than any other book. Since your goal is to get to know the Lord this is one of the best books. Pick a section of the book that would take you about a week to finish. |
| Begin Always With Prayer: Since the Holy Spirit is the only true teacher of the Bible take some time to pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding. This is essential to understanding Scripture. Without His help all your study will be useless and in fact even harmful to your spiritual life. If you try to do it without God you will at best just accumulate head knowledge and that will create pride in you. Make this a habit so that you don't ever open your Bible or read it without a prayer to God for wisdom. |
| Paraphrase The Passage: Read over the section several times seeking to understand the clear simple essence of the passage. What is he saying? Then write out the passage in your own words. That is called "paraphrasing." If there are any words that you do not understand look them up in the dictionary. Write the definitions down in your notebook. |
| Outline the Passage: Divide the passage up into sections that seem to naturally go together and give them a title. Then put the rest of the information unter the headings in sub points. That is called outlining. |
| Underline Key Words: Underline key words and look them up in your concordance. Check what Greek or Hebrew word is used and check the dicitionary to find the exact meaning. List other places in the Bible where the same Greek or Hebrew word is used. These are called cross references. Look them up to find out how the word is used in other passages. |
| See Christ In The Passage: Make it a special point to try and understand a little more about the nature and character of Jesus. All Scripture ultimately points to Him and spiritual insight in this area will come as you develop it over years of study. |
| What Does God Want Me To Do? This is the final step in your study coming up with how to apply the truth that you have learned to your practical life. |
| Write Out Questions: As you read and study questions will come into your head. Just jot these questions down and they will be useful as guides into deeper study later in the week or at some other time. |
| Write Out Insights: Write out all the insights that God gives you into the passage. In other words, what do you think God is saying to you through this passage. What does He want you to know? |
| Meditate! The Great Key to Bible Study is meditation. The concept of meditation in the Bible is that of a cow chewing his cud. Just like a cow will eat grass, then go over under a cool tree and bring up what he has eaten and chew on it so that is the way we are to meditate. After you have begun your study whenever you are not doing anything else bring up what you have studied into your mind and think upon it. Pray as you do and allow God to teach you and guide you into truth and give you insight into how to apply it to your life. |
| Meditation is a source of power in your life! Just click the Bible and read these Scriptures. |
 |
 |