How to Study the Bible

Contents:

1. Motivation
2. Materials
3. Methods
   • Pray
   • Book Study
   • Word Study
   • Character Study
   
   
   
   

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   Motivation
   
   1. The Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). He took the time to write it, the least we could do is take the time to read it!
      
   2. The Bible is the only place to find the way back to God.
      
   3. The Bible is the only source of information about how to live a Christian life.
      
   4. The Bible contains information about our future: Eternal punishment or Eternal life.
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   Materials
   
   1. Bible -- one that is easy for you to read and under-stand, but not a paraphrase (Living Bible).
      
      • KJV -- King James Version
      • ASV -- American Standard Version
      • *RSV -- Revised Standard Version
      • *NASB -- New American Standard Bible
      • *NIV -- New International Version
      • *NKJ -- New King James
      *Easier to read.
   2. Note book -- as you study the Bible, keep an organized notebook nearby to take notes. Write down your thoughts findings, discoveries, and questions. Put the day's date on each page.
   3. Concordance -- exhaustive if possible; essential for word studies.
   4. Colored pencils -- Set up your own color system and underline verses you find pertaining to various topics. For example:
      
      • Red -- Salvation/baptism
      • Blue -- The church - origin, organization, etc.
      • Green -- inspiration/ authority of Scriptures
      • Yellow -- Parts of Worship
      • Orange -- OT vs. NT
      • Purple -- Judgment
        Keep it simple; colors are limited.
   5. Bible dictionary -- optional.
   6. Commentary -- most optional
   7. TIME -- least optional! -- make time to study!!
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   Methods
   
   
   1. Pray -- Always begin and end your study time with prayer. Ask God to help you understand His Word.
      
   2. Book study --
      
      • Read -- Read through the whole book (or a few chapters if the book is long). Choose shorter books at first so you don't get discouraged.
        
      • Go back through the book and look for natural divisions. Look for words like: but. therefore, however, finally.
        
      • Take notes! -- Write in your notebook the important points in each chapter , the verse references, and your observations thoughts, feelings, etc.
        
      
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   3. Word study --
      
      1. As you read, you will find words that are in teresting, perplexing, or meaningless to you. Write these words down in your notebook so you can go back to study them in depth later.
         
      2. Look up the meaning of the word in a dictionary , concordance, or Bible dictionary Write the meaning in your notes .
         
      3. Use your concordance to find all the verses which use that word . Look up and read all the verses . How does the Bible use the word? How do the verses fit together? , etc:. Write your findings and thoughts in your notes.
         
      
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   4. Character study --
      
      1. Chose One -- Jesus, Peter, Paul, and David are always high on everyone's list of choices, but at first, try to pick an easier character to research, so you don't t get discouraged .
         For example :
         
         1. Timothy
         2. Elijah
         3. Silas
         4. Hezekiah
         5. Mary
         6. Nathan
         7. When you are ready, then study Peter or Paul !
            
      2. Find out about each character:
         
         1. Who was he?
         2. What was he? and What did he do?
         3. Where did he do the things he did?
         4. Why did he do the things he did?
         5. Whom did he affect by his life?
         
         
   Be sure to record these things in your notes as well as your thoughts and other findings.
   
   

   --May the Lord bless you richly in your study of His Word!