How should I go about studying the Bible

GodsoldierClintus · Jun 6, 2007

Now I've already read basically 2/3 of the Bible, and I intend to finish reading it through once. But how do I sort of study it intensely, how do I find the scriptural links and stuff? Does anyone know a good resource which sort of let's you study the bible in depth. I will go to bible college later (in 5/6 years) but I'd let to gain a good familiarity with the bible now.

Cheers

humbledbyhim · Jun 6, 2007

Generally, when I study, I break a chapter up into sections and study each section. For each section, I find crossreferences for the issues inthat particular section, define key words or words that I don't know, and write an application for my life if possible.

After I've finished a chapter, there are two ways to go:

1. Continue studying other chapters in the order that they appear.

2. Study chapters that have related subject matter by studying one of the chapters that I used for a cross-reference.

I like doing the latter since it allows me to go all over the bible both old testament and new while studying the same subject.

You can search for similar themes and words in other chapters by visiting biblegateway.com and performing a search. I hope this helps.

P.S. It's always good to pray before and after bible study asking God to give you understanding.

Solidlyhere · Jun 7, 2007

I would talk to your Pastor.

He is the guy who is there to assist you in learning what is important for your Life in the Bible.

ContentInHim · Jun 7, 2007

One of the books I first purchased was a parallel Bible with 3 commentaries so that I could read the chapter, say, and then what Spurgeon, Wesley and (I can't remember who the third was

) whoever said. I checked the cross-references also. Then you can study by the Strong's definitions. There are so many ways to go. And they are all fascinating and rewarding!

LamorakDesGalis · Jun 7, 2007

GodsoldierClintus said:
Now I've already read basically 2/3 of the Bible, and I intend to finish reading it through once. But how do I sort of study it intensely, how do I find the scriptural links and stuff? Does anyone know a good resource which sort of let's you study the bible in depth. I will go to bible college later (in 5/6 years) but I'd let to gain a good familiarity with the bible now.

There are a couple of excellent books that actually teach you how to study the Bible:
Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks, and
The New Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Wald.

LDG

dimwhitt · Jun 7, 2007

i have found the best way to study the bible is read it over and over again all the while considering how it all fits together

the connections will come in time

zeke37 · Jun 7, 2007

I sent you a PM Clintus

JTLauder · Jun 8, 2007

As someone already mentioned, get a Strong's concordance. This is the single most important tool for Bible Study next to your Bible. This will help you look up the original Hebrew and Greek words to the English translations of the Bible. Vine's Expository is also helpful. Next, get a good Bible Dictionary that will give you background info for what you're studying.Do not get any commendaries--that is the absolutely very last thing you will want to look at.

When you're asking for scriptural links, are you talking about cross references to the passage you are studying, or do you want to do a topic study throughout the whole Bible?

All study Bibles come with cross references, though some are better than others. I would suggest getting a Study Bible if you don't already have one. I would advise against trying to do a topical study, at least when you are starting Bible Study. It's way too easy to get things out of context.

What I suggest instead is to do book studies--take a whole book out of the Bible and study through that--that's the way the orignal readers of the book would have read it.

MrSnow · Jun 8, 2007

dimwhitt said:
i have found the best way to study the bible is read it over and over again all the while considering how it all fits together

the connections will come in time

I agree with this completely. You will not be able to connect specifics until you can get the general [big picture]. Gaining a good working knowledge of Scripture is not going to happen over night (not that you think it will). Become familiar with the Bible as a whole. Read it all the way through a few times.

Later on, as you're doing more specific studies, I would suggest reading a work in its entirety. Although all the books of the Bible work together to paint a big picture, each individual book stands alone in its context, audience, author, purpose, intent, etc. So I recommend reading, say, Galatians all the way through a few times and then moving on to reading commentaries about it and getting more indepth with it.

But as it was stated, start by just reading the Bible all the way through before moving on to something more indepth.

MrSnow · Jun 8, 2007

JTLauder,
Didn't mean to steal your thunder about book studies.

BigSeth · Jun 10, 2007

I have a theology text book titled Understanding Christian Theology, written by/General Editors Charles R. Swindoll, and Roy B. Zuck. Its quite helpful to me.

JTLauder · Jun 10, 2007

MrSnow said:
JTLauder,
Didn't mean to steal your thunder about book studies.

What do you mean?

Anyway, I disagree about turning to commentaries as the primary adjunct to Bible study. They should be the last things to turn to, especially for people starting out on Bible study because it's too easy to put too much authority in commentaries. Although many can be quite informative and written by well respected scholars, they remain to be just another person's interpretations and opinions, and that should always be kept in mind when reading commentaries.

As I said, get a concordance and a good Bible Dictionary before looking into any commentaries. Study the original words and setting for yourself before paying attention to what someone else says about them.

GodsoldierClintus · Jun 10, 2007

Thanks for all the thoughts. I've taken all of them into consideration. I've purchased a new bible - the NIV Quest Study Bible to go along with my old Good News Version transaltion. The Study Bible is pretty useful, it's got a little bit of commentary and has a concordence and dictionary and maps and stuff with it.

I diagree with whoever PM'ed me and said I should study the KJV to get closer to the original meaning of the words...The KJV was just a literal word for word translation and IMO does a very poor job of translating. I also have collated a number of websites which I use. However it's exam time at the moment, so my study in terms of bible study is not really happening at the moment.

I thought the other person that PMed me who wasn't Christian did raise a good point about reading if for myself and deciding what it means. Yes it's important that this is what I believe and develops MY relationship with God. However I always listens to other people's points of view even if they are clearly wrong. I hope that you can look past your perception of Christians and find the hope that is not in us by Christ alone.

Has anyone used this website before?
http://cc.christiancourses.com/index.php?redirected=1&

Thanks

Clint

A Brother In Christ · Jun 11, 2007

GodsoldierClintus said:
Now I've already read basically 2/3 of the Bible, and I intend to finish reading it through once. But how do I sort of study it intensely, how do I find the scriptural links and stuff? Does anyone know a good resource which sort of let's you study the bible in depth. I will go to bible college later (in 5/6 years) but I'd let to gain a good familiarity with the bible now.

Cheers

go to ephesians

read verse one .... what did a believer do to deserve these things ?

then do a word study on
Faith , grace, works

the opening to scripture

A Brother In Christ · Jun 11, 2007

compare scripture with scripture!!!

DeanM · Jun 11, 2007

How do you study the Bible?

Does your church offer a Bible study group? That's a good place to start. If not, maybe a neighboring church does. Feel free to make use of the services of more than one church, if you like. There's nothing wrong with that...

As for me, I started with Mark. From there, I read a popular analysis of Mark, which made reference to other passages in the Bible. I followed these references as I came upon them and read them.

Eventually, I tried to just read the whole Bible from beginning to end, but have to admit that I got lost too many times to continue.

At this point, I think I have read all or most of it.

GodsoldierClintus · Jun 11, 2007

Well actually I lead one of the bible study groups with one of my mates...but I still would like to get more indepth!

ContentInHim · Jun 11, 2007

Clint - my first read through was also the Good News Bible. :clap:

Even that version can preach salvation.

GodsoldierClintus · Jun 11, 2007

Go the GNB!

A Brother In Christ · Jun 11, 2007

strongs concordance ... to find the same word used in many places to help define words

example Joy is not happiness but an ability to know what God is teaching you at the present time

How should I go about studying the Bible

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