Help me please:

[Lee Fey]

Okay, well, I've been struggling to find a particularly inspiring topic to study in the Bible, or a particularly inspiring method of studying the Bible. If anyone's been studying for a while and has something that works really well for them, could you please share? I'm trying to learn how to feed myself the spiritual food that the Bible has to offer, instead of depending on others to feed me.

 

[PurpleBunny]

I've always found that I get the most out of small group Bible Studies, of 3-8 people (more and it tends to split into smaller groups anyway). That way everyone has a chance to raise points of interest or possible interpretations, and there's that sense of Christian fellowship as well.

 

[CharlesYTK]

Here ia fun one.

Paul speaks of "My Gospel" and says also the the spirit blessed his ministry to the gentiles just as he had also Peters ministry to the Jews. What was the difference between the Gospel of Paul and the Gospel of Peter or the Gospel of Jesus or the Gospel of Jon the baptiser? This is a study that brings a great deal of light to the NT.

 

[vinsight4u]

...

 

[daveleau]

Take a course or read a book on hermeneutics. This is the study of exegeting Scripture yourself (exegete means to take meaning from a passage). It is a study of the history, lexicology, contextual, cultural and theological aspects of any given passage. Then you need to compare your work to others to see if you are in the ballpark, although this is done after you have done your own work.

A good book is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-3433423-8596867?v=glance

 

[vinsight4u]

...

 

[Lee Fey]

Keep it coming, I'd like a huge pool of suggestions to pull from to keep me busy for some time. The more I have, the better the chances I have of finding one that fits me, and that can help keep me on the path of studying regularly. I suppose I'm looking for a style of study, one that can keep me engaged and interested enough and for long enough that I will be inspired to keep going.

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

Okay, well, I've been struggling to find a particularly inspiring topic to study in the Bible, or a particularly inspiring method of studying the Bible. If anyone's been studying for a while and has something that works really well for them, could you please share? I'm trying to learn how to feed myself the spiritual food that the Bible has to offer, instead of depending on others to feed me.

Hi Lee Fey,
Over the years I have found one of the best ways for me personally to "prime the pump" for Bible study is to read the Psalms. First, the emotions expressed in the Psalms are very transparent. It is easier for me to identify with people who really struggled or wanted to express their joy. Second, despite whatever issues they had, the Psalmists were fundamentally oriented toward God. They pleaded with God and praised Him. Most importantly, they knew Him. Reading the Psalms helps me to get to know God better, and this motivates me to reading and studying the Bible.

I like to have two programs going, one is bible reading and the other Bible study. I love detailed Bible study, but over time I found I needed another perspective. For reading, I simply sit down and read the Scriptures like I would a novel. I don't take notes during this time, I just read. This helps me get a broad overview of Scripture which can sometimes be obscured through a detailed study. I like to stick with one book all the way to the end, reading 2-10 chapters in it a day along with a couple of Psalms.

If you haven't done so already, I would second Daveleau's excellent suggestion of obtaining a good book on Bible study (hermeneutics). Virkler's book is good. Howard Hendricks' Living By The Book is also a good practical "hands-on" approach to studying the Bible.


Lamorak Des Galis

 

[LeahRJ]

i recommend inductive/precept Bible studies that you can get at http://www.precept.org they dig very deep into the Bible! you will not be disappointed.

 

[vinsight4u]

...

 

[vinsight4u]

...

 

[Lee Fey]

Thanks, everyone, keep it coming. A lot of things are coming to my mind, different ways I could study the Bible. I was wondering if there was anyone out there that wanted to start a Bible study with me, perhaps reading a certain book of the Bible, and then when we each read it, we can come to each other with incites and inspirations we get from it. If anyone is interested, I'd love to get email addresses, so we can do this on top of the forums here. Anyone interested?

 

[Lee Fey]

I know a whole lot of people looked at this, and so on, but I was hoping everyone wouldn't just discard it so quickly. Is everyone sure that they have no more ideas pertaining to Bible study in general? Any at all?

 

[HumbleBee]

Just found this today

1) People

• list each main character in the section you've selected
• write a few lines about what the verses say about each
• look up any cross-references

2) Places

• list the main places mentioned in the section
• write a few lines about these places
• look up cross-references
• locate the place on a bible map

3) Plot

• in one or two sentences summarize what the section is all about

4) Play-by-Play

• divide the section into a general outline, listing main ideas and key points (keep it simple)

5) Problems

• if certain words leave you unsure of their meaning, look up cross references, or make use of a bible dictionary
• use a bible companion

6) Purpose

• Ask yourself "why did God write this?" and make a record of your answers. Finding the purpose of a passage will help you get God's perspective

7) Personal Application

• Ask yourself these questions to make sure you have given the Holy Spirit the opportunity to use the bible to make a difference in your life each day:
• "How does the passage apply to me?"
• "Are there attitudes that I need to change as a result of my new understanding?"
• "Are there warnings that I need to heed?"
• "What principles did I find that I need to live by?"
• "On the basis of what I have learned today, what do I need to begin or to add to my life? What do I need to change or stop doing?"

 

[FranklinNoble]

I know a whole lot of people looked at this, and so on, but I was hoping everyone wouldn't just discard it so quickly. Is everyone sure that they have no more ideas pertaining to Bible study in general? Any at all?

Start with the book of John, and study each verse, one at a time.

Keep a notebook. Write down your thoughts and interpretations for each verse. Do word studies (resources like Strong's Numbers are a big help). Do concordance studies; find other verses to refer to, and try to get the big picture.

You should take, at least, several days on each verse, to really focus on and ponder the meaning. After you've done your own thinking and written down your own feelings, consult some study aids on the verse (Matthew Henry's Commentary, etc.) See what new insights you get, and write them down.

Over time, you will have a much deeper understanding of Scripture.

I recommend downloading the free e-Sword software. It has dozens of add-on modules that make Bible study a snap.

http://e-sword.net/

 

[Lee Fey]

This e-sword thing is really cool. I usually post messages from my campus computers though, so I can't download it here. I'm not sure if I can from home, since I have an ancient computer and connection. Thank you though. It looks really awesome.

 

[mythbuster]

#1) Based on John 5:39, the scripture is a testimony of Christ and we should desire to contact Him through the scripture. This is more than an increase of knowledge. The ancient Jews knew the Bible well and could cite chapter and verse to the Magi, who, following the star were looking for the Lord. The Jews never went to Bethlehem and missed His coming. So seek the Lord first and come to the Bible to know and enjoy Him.

#2) Come to the word for food. In John 6:63, the Spirit gives life and His words are spirit and life. The Lord spoke these words in the context of eating Him. To receive Him into us as food we need His words, His words are the entire Bible. And His words entering into us are food, manna from heaven, that we enjoy and treasure day by day. One practical way to do this is to sing and pray with the words of the Bible.

 

[FranklinNoble]

This e-sword thing is really cool. I usually post messages from my campus computers though, so I can't download it here. I'm not sure if I can from home, since I have an ancient computer and connection. Thank you though. It looks really awesome.

Well, the guy who runs the site will mail you a CD for a small fee. That might be an option.

If you don't have the money, PM me, and I'll burn a copy for you.

 

[johnd]

Okay, well, I've been struggling to find a particularly inspiring topic to study in the Bible, or a particularly inspiring method of studying the Bible. If anyone's been studying for a while and has something that works really well for them, could you please share? I'm trying to learn how to feed myself the spiritual food that the Bible has to offer, instead of depending on others to feed me.

Remember that the Bible is an integrated message system. That it is divinely inspired. And it is divinely revealed. Best way I know to study the Bible is to seek the Author's tutelage.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Then you will be amazed how the Bible opens up to you!

 

[Lee Fey]

Well, a couple of other things I'd like to ask as I bring this to people's attention. Should Bible-reading be used as a habit to replace another, less-desirable one, or should the old one be defeated before trying to get into the Bible. This is less exposition and such, I realize this, but overall, I suppose it's a question as to what kind of heart, what kind of attitude should one have before studying the Bible?