How to Study the Bible....
Studying the bible is one of my favorite parts of the day. I believe we all should take 15 to 30 minutes out of our day to study the bible. I look to the bible for wisdom especially when I am torn when making a decision. One of the greatest quotes I have every heard is that. "the Bible is our blue print to life." God provides with everything we need to know in the bible. Many people don't believe God speaks directly to us like in the time of the bible but I believe God speaks to me everyday through the bible.
I feel everyone studies the bible differently but I wanted to share some tips that I have learned by others showing me how they study:
1. Do not be afraid to write in your bible. I believe the best way to read the bible is to highlight and underline verses which are important to you. You can also use sticky notes to mark a page that you would like to go back to as I often will forget where I read a certain verse but will like to return to it.
2. Always read ahead of time before you start a new book about the history behind it. To better be able to understand the bible you must know who wrote the book, which time period it was written, why was it written, and etc. The bible is a very difficult book but if you read it like a time period piece it is easier to understand.
For instance when reading the Book of Acts, it is good to know that it was written to tell the story of the early Christian church. It is believed that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke. A major theme in the book of Acts is that the shows the spreading of the holy spirit from the Jews to the Gentiles of Jerusalem. Also, it is centered around the Apostles Simon, Peter, and Paul.
I feel a better understanding of the word when I understand the time that it was written. We must all understand that somethings in the bible cannot be applied to modern life as it was written during a different time period, but we should follow the bible as much as we can within our modern life. For instance, women were considered property in the days that the bible was written. We no longer consider women to be property. I do not believe that God intended this for women as God is a loving and compassionate God. I do believe God has allowed women to gain equal partnership with men as women where made from a man but I do believe we each have different roles in society. Men are meant to be the protector and hunter while women are the nurturer, bearer of children, and etc.
3. The best way to read the bible is front to back as it allows you to see the bible from the beginning to the end. If you devote fifteen to thirty minutes a night reading the bible. You will be able to read the whole bible within a year. I feel it is better to read front to back but read how ever you feel comfortable. Read the bible the easiest way for you as you will devote more time if will enjoy reading the Bible.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand. Ask a church Deacon when you can't quite gasp what is going as sometime the bible can be difficult for us to understand. No question is ever to stupid to ask. I feel that those who don't ask questions lose the most as we never learn things until we ask.
5. Attend a bible study once or twice a week. It is great to study on your own but you get such a greater understanding when you discuss the bible with others. I feel that attending a bible study also help fellowship with other Christians. When we reach out to other Christians rather than non believers, we can have better relationship with god as we are with people who believe the same as us.
6. Pray, Pray, and Pray some more. I always try to pray before I study the bible to have God to give me wisdom to understand the bible. I also pray for God to show me what his plan is for me as I feel that God shows us through the bible.
I feel everyone studies the bible differently but I wanted to share some tips that I have learned by others showing me how they study:
1. Do not be afraid to write in your bible. I believe the best way to read the bible is to highlight and underline verses which are important to you. You can also use sticky notes to mark a page that you would like to go back to as I often will forget where I read a certain verse but will like to return to it.
2. Always read ahead of time before you start a new book about the history behind it. To better be able to understand the bible you must know who wrote the book, which time period it was written, why was it written, and etc. The bible is a very difficult book but if you read it like a time period piece it is easier to understand.
For instance when reading the Book of Acts, it is good to know that it was written to tell the story of the early Christian church. It is believed that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke. A major theme in the book of Acts is that the shows the spreading of the holy spirit from the Jews to the Gentiles of Jerusalem. Also, it is centered around the Apostles Simon, Peter, and Paul.
I feel a better understanding of the word when I understand the time that it was written. We must all understand that somethings in the bible cannot be applied to modern life as it was written during a different time period, but we should follow the bible as much as we can within our modern life. For instance, women were considered property in the days that the bible was written. We no longer consider women to be property. I do not believe that God intended this for women as God is a loving and compassionate God. I do believe God has allowed women to gain equal partnership with men as women where made from a man but I do believe we each have different roles in society. Men are meant to be the protector and hunter while women are the nurturer, bearer of children, and etc.
3. The best way to read the bible is front to back as it allows you to see the bible from the beginning to the end. If you devote fifteen to thirty minutes a night reading the bible. You will be able to read the whole bible within a year. I feel it is better to read front to back but read how ever you feel comfortable. Read the bible the easiest way for you as you will devote more time if will enjoy reading the Bible.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand. Ask a church Deacon when you can't quite gasp what is going as sometime the bible can be difficult for us to understand. No question is ever to stupid to ask. I feel that those who don't ask questions lose the most as we never learn things until we ask.
5. Attend a bible study once or twice a week. It is great to study on your own but you get such a greater understanding when you discuss the bible with others. I feel that attending a bible study also help fellowship with other Christians. When we reach out to other Christians rather than non believers, we can have better relationship with god as we are with people who believe the same as us.
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Proverbs 15:20
6. Pray, Pray, and Pray some more. I always try to pray before I study the bible to have God to give me wisdom to understand the bible. I also pray for God to show me what his plan is for me as I feel that God shows us through the bible.
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29
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