I was just wondering, do you just open to a page and read, do you use a workbook and if so are some better than others? I have been reading and I always pray that the Holy Spirit guide me through the book and deliver God's message to me. Any tips on getting more into God's word will be helpful.
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How do you study the Bible?
- Thread starter Mac76
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Z0soguitar
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Hey, there are quite alot of websites that have daily devotionals or plans that will help you to read it in a year. www.biblegateway.com
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Hi Mac ,
Pray , and then begin , and read an individual book or letter ( Epistle ) of the Bible .
Have also , a extensive dictionary , and preferably a Stong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries . This is complimentary to the Authorized Version aka The King James .
Read until a particular verse , passage , or statement , stands out and expresses significance .
Then look up the meanings of the key words within .
This way , you are allowing God's Word to speak directly and deeply to your individuality ; and not simply following what someone else found helpful to them , or thought would be helpful as a pattern to others .
Along with this , when an issue is pressing , do a " word study " on words which describe the nature of what you're dealing with , and consider all the counsel of God , on the subject . This is rather easily done with the use of a concordance , which lists all the words of The Bible alphabetically . For example : If struggling with issues of faith - use concordance to look up and pour over all places which Scripture mentions faith , believe , and other synonyms , also consider looking up where antonyms are mentioned , i.e doubt , unbelief , etc .
As Scripture becomes more familar we notice , places where the same or similar thing is said in two or more places . These are very important and should be noted specifically , as in making notations : for when one verse is compared to it's companion verse(s) , they often serve to define each other .
Also , it's generally more appropriate for beginners to read mostly in The New Testament , and as such , reading from Matthew to Revelation isn't a bad approach . It's less advisable though as a beginner to try and read The Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi .
Also , I'd stay away from reading commentaries of man , especially in the early stages ; for they are not authoritive as Scripture , tend to be somewhat worldly in emphasis , and consequently can hinder / distract one from learning to discern The Lord's Voice in Scripture .
Here's a link where one can freely download The Bible and study aids .
Click Here - http://www.e-sword.net/
Sincerely ,
wm
Pray , and then begin , and read an individual book or letter ( Epistle ) of the Bible .
Have also , a extensive dictionary , and preferably a Stong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries . This is complimentary to the Authorized Version aka The King James .
Read until a particular verse , passage , or statement , stands out and expresses significance .
Then look up the meanings of the key words within .
This way , you are allowing God's Word to speak directly and deeply to your individuality ; and not simply following what someone else found helpful to them , or thought would be helpful as a pattern to others .
Along with this , when an issue is pressing , do a " word study " on words which describe the nature of what you're dealing with , and consider all the counsel of God , on the subject . This is rather easily done with the use of a concordance , which lists all the words of The Bible alphabetically . For example : If struggling with issues of faith - use concordance to look up and pour over all places which Scripture mentions faith , believe , and other synonyms , also consider looking up where antonyms are mentioned , i.e doubt , unbelief , etc .
As Scripture becomes more familar we notice , places where the same or similar thing is said in two or more places . These are very important and should be noted specifically , as in making notations : for when one verse is compared to it's companion verse(s) , they often serve to define each other .
Also , it's generally more appropriate for beginners to read mostly in The New Testament , and as such , reading from Matthew to Revelation isn't a bad approach . It's less advisable though as a beginner to try and read The Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi .
Also , I'd stay away from reading commentaries of man , especially in the early stages ; for they are not authoritive as Scripture , tend to be somewhat worldly in emphasis , and consequently can hinder / distract one from learning to discern The Lord's Voice in Scripture .
Here's a link where one can freely download The Bible and study aids .
Click Here - http://www.e-sword.net/
Sincerely ,
wm
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- Aug 3, 2004
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It varies. What we want is to discover something about God and my faith that is meaningful. Sometimes I read only a small section. Other times much more. Sometimes I look at a theme, othertimes I wan to understand an entire book.
What is really helpful is to read about the cultural context and meaning of the scripture at the time it was written and read. This requires getting hold of some good Christian material. When you discover what it meant then, you can begin to work out how that same principle applies today. We are 2000 years removed from the surrounding culture of the NT. It is all to easy to impose our current cultural views back onto scripture and have it mean something that was not meant at the time of its writing.
John
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What is really helpful is to read about the cultural context and meaning of the scripture at the time it was written and read. This requires getting hold of some good Christian material. When you discover what it meant then, you can begin to work out how that same principle applies today. We are 2000 years removed from the surrounding culture of the NT. It is all to easy to impose our current cultural views back onto scripture and have it mean something that was not meant at the time of its writing.
John
NZ
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There is no right or wrong way to study the Bible as long you use good conservative tools, pray about everything you read in your study, and listen for God's message or voice with your spiritual ears. You can read it from beginning to end, do topical studies in which you also study the customs and geography of that time. You can use commentaries, dictionaries, different translations of the Bible which have been translated from the Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic manuscripts, interview well known pastors or teachers, but check all things from other resources with the Holy Spirit. Any time one passage disagrees with another passage within your understanding, that is your cue to discover which one you misinterpreted the meaning or whether a different Greek, or Hebrew Word is used and only seems to be a contradiction when translated into the language your reading. A good concordance can help you find the biblical answer to any subject or problem. If the word you are after isn't there, look for a synonym of that word. The more you use a concordance, the more familiar you will become.Mac76 said:
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wonderwaleye
Well-Known Member
Dear Mac76
I would suggest you start by reading the NEW TESTIMENT FIRST.
Then the rest of the Bible. You really need nothing else!!!
The GOAL should be to have read it till it is LOCKED in your heart.
Once you can reread the Bible and know what it's going to say then you are well planted in GOD'S WORD.
Don't worry about any part you don't have understanding of. GOD'S WORD is written for all, but not all will understand it all.
The Bible is man's tool to tap MARICALS!!!
Know that GOD made HIS work simple for us simple folks to understand. Then when this is received, it's time for the FAITH.
REMEMBER:
X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven
I would suggest you start by reading the NEW TESTIMENT FIRST.
Then the rest of the Bible. You really need nothing else!!!
The GOAL should be to have read it till it is LOCKED in your heart.
Once you can reread the Bible and know what it's going to say then you are well planted in GOD'S WORD.
Don't worry about any part you don't have understanding of. GOD'S WORD is written for all, but not all will understand it all.
The Bible is man's tool to tap MARICALS!!!
Know that GOD made HIS work simple for us simple folks to understand. Then when this is received, it's time for the FAITH.
REMEMBER:
X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven
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live4grace
Senior Member
The first and most important thing is to find a version that you can read without having to look words up or ask someone questions. This doesn't mean you won't have questions, but just not about the words or the stories. For a paraphrase version, I suggest the Message or the Living Bible. For a general modern translation, the NIV and for the most literal, the NASB. You can go to any bookstore, secular or Christian and sample these; it's pretty easy to choose just by reading a little.Mac76 said:
As far as what to read goes, establishing and growing your faith is the most important thing to make sure of. If you're new to the Bible, John's gospel is the most likely first choice of a book to read, and read again. You can keep going from there to the book of Acts and Romans. From there, you can go to the other gospels or into letters.
For the Old Testament, you can start reading from Genesis and into Exodus. There's some pretty dry material after that but also some history if you can get through it. The historical books are awesome, particularly 1 and 2 Samuel, but you have to pace yourself.
Psalms and Proverbs are books I read constantly but I generally have a New Testament and Old Testament walk through going on at all times. It's ok to take your time, those "through the Bible in one year" programs often leave people in the dust, and discouraged (not to mention not having the time to really understand what they've read). So be patient with yourself, and always begin with a prayer to ask God to show you what He has for you in his word for that day and then another afterwards thanking Him for what He showed you.
Do NOT compare yourself with others regarding what you know and/or how much you've read. God has specific things he wants to tell YOU through the Word that no one else can hear for you. This is NOT saying that you will come away with your own ideas and beliefs (please, stay in touch with other believers and find a good church with good Bible teaching), but only that the Word is a communication tool God uses with each believer.
Be blessed.
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One thing that you must keep in mind when stuying the Bible is to keep context in mind. No verse was written as an individual verse. Things that come before and after each verse help us to understand what the auther was refering to in the verse.
I have found one method that has helped me alot. For this you need a Bible and a notebook (and I would realy recomend that e-sword recommened earlier).
First read through the entire book (in one sitting if possible). Don't give it too much thought at this point. Write down any questions you have as you come to them for later. No question is too small.
As you read pay attention to the authors movement of thoughts. Knowing what kind of topics the author is addressing and in what general order he talks about them in. In short, this gives you a basic context to work with.
Now go back, trying to understand the text in light of the context that you know have, trying to answer any questions that you came up with in your first runthrough. This is where e-sword and other such study tools may come in handy for questions involveing language.
I have found one method that has helped me alot. For this you need a Bible and a notebook (and I would realy recomend that e-sword recommened earlier).
First read through the entire book (in one sitting if possible). Don't give it too much thought at this point. Write down any questions you have as you come to them for later. No question is too small.
As you read pay attention to the authors movement of thoughts. Knowing what kind of topics the author is addressing and in what general order he talks about them in. In short, this gives you a basic context to work with.
Now go back, trying to understand the text in light of the context that you know have, trying to answer any questions that you came up with in your first runthrough. This is where e-sword and other such study tools may come in handy for questions involveing language.
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TheBruMan
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I would highly recommend joining a Bible Study at your church or another church in your community. The Disciple Bible studies are excellent. I did the first two with my church and both years we had people that were not from our church in the class. It is an excellent study that not only guides you through scripture, but it also puts you with a group of people that want to do the same that can give you different perspectives and insights.
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wonderwaleye
Well-Known Member
Dear Mac76
" CHURCH CAN BE A WONDERFUL NEST, BUT UNLESS YOU VENTURE OUT OF YOUR NEST AND USE YOUR BIBLE FOR WINGS, YOU WILL NEVER SOAR, WITH DISTRUCTION MOST PROBABLE "
THAT IS WHY IT IS A JOY TO REMEMBER:
X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven
" CHURCH CAN BE A WONDERFUL NEST, BUT UNLESS YOU VENTURE OUT OF YOUR NEST AND USE YOUR BIBLE FOR WINGS, YOU WILL NEVER SOAR, WITH DISTRUCTION MOST PROBABLE "
THAT IS WHY IT IS A JOY TO REMEMBER:
X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven
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Catholic Wife
Senior Veteran
Praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance about what you are reading is an excellent idea. I love that I can reread passages and God will give me new insight.
Sometimes I read the passages that were read that day at mass and delve more deeply into them and related passages. Sometimes I look up passages relating to issues I am having or troubles I am going through. Other times, I read what our pastor is covering in our WCC (like Sunday school). And, yes, sometimes I just open the Bible to whatever page it falls on and start reading, knowing that I will possibly see something new.
Sometimes I read the passages that were read that day at mass and delve more deeply into them and related passages. Sometimes I look up passages relating to issues I am having or troubles I am going through. Other times, I read what our pastor is covering in our WCC (like Sunday school). And, yes, sometimes I just open the Bible to whatever page it falls on and start reading, knowing that I will possibly see something new.
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Wow, thank you all very much for your ideas and tips. It is hard for me to really get into a good Bible study at home because I have 3 kids and my wife works evenings, and of course every time I start getting into the word, it's "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!!" Since I was saved I have a great burning desire to read and understand God's good word, and with all your advice I know it will be a little easier now, again thank you and God bless!
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