Why should I even bother? How to Study the Bible Overview 1. The Bible is the Word of God by Revelation: The supernatural, eternal, infinite, holy God s revelation of Himself to finite man Inspiration: Moved by the Spirit of God, man writes what God wants written Illumination: The heart of man receives the light God has written 2. To grow and mature spiritually not dependent upon a pastor/teacher 1 Peter 2:2 Heb 5:12-14 2 Peter 3:18 with John 1:1-4 3. We are all held accountable for knowing what God has told us Luke 19:42-44 Luke 12:37-48 4. To understand the times in which we have been chosen to live Rev 3:7-22 End times prophesies and what is happening in the world Israel and the Middle East Europe With technology 5. To discern between the Truth and the Lie Ps 33:4 John 17:17 1 John 1:8 Acts 17:11 2 Tim 2:15 Gal 1:6-12 (Christ Alone vs Christ Plus) If God thought homosexuality was a sin, he would not have created gay people. Truth or hypocrisy, ignorance, or blasphemy? God helps those who help themselves.
6. To equip us to live for Jesus in this strange land 2 Tim 3:16-17 Ps 119:9, 105 2 Cor 6:3-10 Eph 6:10-18 7. To obey the Lord s command Matt 28:19-20 8. Because we are needy people and the Word of God is what we need Ps 1 Eccl 12:13-14 Eph 5:25-27 9. To study the Word of God is an absolute burning delight! Ps 119:24, 35, 47, 77, 174 Jer 20:9 Luke 24:32 Get HEARTBURN!
The Subject of Study: The Bible Contents of the Bible Old Testament New Testament 39 Books 27 Books 66 Books over 40 inspired authors 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) 20 centuries 0 contradictions 1 unified message from eternal Creator to fallen, beloved creature supernatural and living infinite Heb 4:12 Unchanging Absolute Truth Organization of the Word of God (refer to Table of Contents) Section From To 1. Books of Moses Genesis Deuteronomy 2. History of Israel Joshua Esther 3. Poetry Job Song of Solomon 4. Major Prophets Isaiah Hosea 5. Minor Prophets Joel Malachi 6. Gospels Matthew John 7. History of the Church Acts of the Apostles 8. Pauline Epistles Romans Hebrews 9. Other Epistles James Jude 10. End Revelation
What Bible should I study? 1. Word-for-Word translations translate the meaning of each individual word in the original languages after intense study and scrutiny, the closest English equivalent is chosen every effort is made to maintain the original structure and style in which the texts were written KJV NKJV NASB DHH 2. Thought-for-Thought translations communicate the thought of the original text writers using modern language effort is taken to transform ancient sentence and style structures into more readable and contemporary forms (all living languages are moving targets ) NIV RSV 3. Paraphrase Translations same goals as Thought-for-Thought but even looser liberty is taken with original texts by not being as concerned with a close translation of each word into an English equivalent Living New Living Amplified Answer: Greater depth of meaning with Word-for-Word Greater grasp of the thought with Thought-for-Thought (esp. Psalms) Use all types of translations but lean on Word-for-Word translations Note: these are NOT the Word of God but are the corrupted word of man Book of Mormon The New World Translation
What tools do I need? The Bible itself is the best commentary The Lord does not desire that we spend hours reading the words of another man about His Word reading what He gave that man at that time for those people He intends us to spend hours in His Word listening to Him and what He has for us today 2 John 2:27 John 14:26 John 15:26 Exhaustive Concordance (Strong s or Young s) KJV NASB Hebrew and Greek Lexicon I know I should, I know which translations to use HOW do I study? 1. Honesty begin with a blank sheet, not a pre-disposition or premise read the passage as if you are doing so for the first time, forgetting pre-conceived ideas or dogmas study and listen with an open mind, not prejudice or prior commentary What is God saying to me today? vs Does the Bible support what I believe? 2. Faith Heb 11:1, 6 1 Cor 8:1-3 Seeing is not believing, believing is seeing The Bible is the Final Authority 3. Pray 4. Discipline time and effort intensity craving tenacious dedication and continuity 5. Read and again and again and again and again 6. Meditate
7. Context, context, context Historical Cultural Spiritual 8. Read the Word literally God says what He means and means what He says Unless an obvious metaphor or symbolism John 10:7-9 1 Peter 2:2-6 9. Scripture interprets Scripture the Bible interprets itself Connect the dots! 10. Be observant and be curious 11. Take notes organize notes 12. Systematic method of study to avoid haphazardness and disorderliness to provide a structure or a framework for an intense activity Inductive Bible Study Method How do you eat a cow? One steak at a time How do you eat a steak? One bite at a time What is the healthy way to eat? Chew thoroughly And enjoy it! Basic process Action Required Result Survey Reading Overview and Impression Condense Thinking Outline Expand Working Analysis Dissect Sweating Knowledge/Understanding Application Obeying Change 13. Whole-heartedly and single-mindedly Will get out what you put in even more!