how helpful is bible study really?

[memoriesbymichelle]

To me, bible study is about exploring God's word together with other believers in hopes that growth in our understanding and knowledge in God's word occurs.

What I find troubling recently, is some people's view of how the scripture is to be interpreted can be questionable. Whether that be on TV or in church, on the internet, or in bible study, it can make it hard to understand and much harder than it needs to be IMO.

Whether we are going thru how the language translates, and/or how some previously interpreted it there really is no concrete way of "knowing" your interpretation is always correct.

I, personally, believe that prayer is a big part of understanding and wisdom regarding the bible. I love getting together to study with other believers except the last study I was in. What I found was that the leader was of the opinion that he was the only one that had the correct interpretation and didn't really like it when the women in the group spoke up unless it was his wife or his close friend.

When I hear someone say something about the bible that I disagree with, I usually go to the scriptures and re-read the passages and pray that God would give me His wisdom to understand His word.
But I do think it's beneficial to study with others because everyone has a different perspective and that can be helpful. It can also be a hindrance.

What do YOU think?

 

[redblue22]

I go to "study" times to be with others, talk, and not really study-study. We don't all agree, but we allow each to have different beliefs and questions and answers. It is the acceptance and love and understanding that I think we mostly show for.

 

[dayhiker]

I personally have got so much from Bible study that I heard popular things said about the Bible all the time that I can't see how educated Bible preachers can preach some of the stuff they do.
Yet as good as Bible study is, the early church didn't have the NT. The had the OT, but even that wasn't in there home and a synagogue had to be pretty rich to pray a scribe to copy a Torah for them. Even in the Middle ages half the priests couldn't real or write. Let along read and interpret the Bible. It wasn't till the printing press that this started to change. So all the Bibles we see and we read regularly ... its a new phenomenon. Yet those before us believed in Jesus and it was counted unto them for righteousness just like us.

What does the Bible say ... Christ in you the hope of Glory. Where is the pastor that believe that Christ and the Holy Spirit is really God and is smart enough to know how to be the Shepard and lead His people. but they teach us to pray and read the Bible and come hear them preach. Who really preached to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as Gal.5 says. If we said to our pastor I do the what Holy Spirit learn me to do, would our pastor say, Oh your fine you wouldn't go wrong then. Or will he say, be sure to read your Bible a lot and make sure it lines up with the Bible. Sounds like a fear that we will hear God say something to us that will not benefit the local church we are attending and he is the pastor of!

 

[dayhiker]

redblue ... I love that.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

good point dayhiker. And when I hear from God, sometimes I wonder if it's ME putting those thoughts in my head or if it's really God. I tell Him all the time, that He has to make things really clear for me because He knows how deaf I am spiritually.

In life it's hard (at least for me) to know if the decisions that I have prayed about and asked God to help me with are the right decisions.

I've learned that even though it may seem like smooth sailing, that cannot be the indicator that it's God approved, and likewise sometimes when we have tribulation regarding decisions we make, it doesn't necessarily mean that God doesn't want us making THAT decision. It could be the enemy that is trying to thwart us.

Life is hard.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I think we need to learn from others. The bible says to study to show yourself approved. Other people's opinions are valid to them and can add insight to our opinion/beliefs.

At the same time, IMO, we need to be careful who we listen to because we know not everyone thinks alike and if we don't study and ask God to show us what we don't understand, we could end up with some wrong beliefs.

In Galatians in the first chapter Paul admits that he was zealous for the traditions of his fathers (more concerned about what men thought) rather than the truth of the gospel. He also says that the gospel he received, he did not receive from men, nor was he taught it, but it came thru the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

[dayhiker]

When I first started studying the Bible seriously in my early 20's I assume that the scholars writing the books I was studying honestly presented both sides of the topic/theology/interpretation and then gave the reason they chose their opinion.

Well, they did pretty good but when I finally studied what the other side said in their own words, I found that even Bible scholars weren't always honest about what the other side said. So the stacked the deck in their favor by not representing the other side honestly. Some also left out verses from the Bible that undermined their point of view. Very few said I just don't understand why this verse is saying what its say.

So I found if I really wanted make a decision for myself, I had to study every view I could find. When I studied Jesus telling Peter, "On this rock I'll build my church." I found 20 or 40 different views(I forget), now these were very slight changes. So the different views were discreet views but rather a spectrum of views. It was amazing how fine,small the differences were that distinguished the views from each other.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Have you ever read Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren? He uses every translation of the bible and you have to hunt to the back of the book to see which translation and which scripture he was using. I tried looking up a few and when I did, they did not say anything close to what he was trying to make it say in this book.

The bible does warn us of false teachers so....

 

[redblue22]

Rick's book looked good and I read a few chapters, but I have misplaced it. Maybe I'll pick it up again . . . but finding it . . .

Have you ever read Gorden Fee How to Read Your Bible for All its Worth. It is fairly easy intro to interpretation.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Rick's book looked good and I read a few chapters, but I have misplaced it. Maybe I'll pick it up again . . . but finding it . . .

Have you ever read Gorden Fee How to Read Your Bible for All its Worth. It is fairly easy intro to interpretation.

Rick's book has a good idea, however the way he twists scripture to make up a biblically based premise turned me off entirely. And the way he made it so difficult to verify what he wrote that the scriptures said was highly suspect. I'm not a fan of Rick Warren since he thinks that we should have all religions worship together, which makes no sense at all.

 

[redblue22]

never heard that before. must be in one of the later chapters.

 

[blackribbon]

I like Bible studies because they bring Christians together. I am very picky about who is the "authority" though...not necessarily the group leader but the book(s) being referenced. Problem is at this point of my life I don't have the time to attend..I hope that changes after I graduate.

I also value private study...because I have found as I got through life and hopefully am growing that the Bible becomes more clear and I see things and details that I missed before. I read more critically now and try not to put my opinions or previous church teachings into what I am reading. I do read whole stories and don't focus on single verses.

As for the past when written Bibles didn't exist, people memorized more scripture out of necessity. There is a reason why so many churches did a lot of repeat-after-me type services. I find that now more people THINK they have read the Bible that really do. The people who think this, heard stories at church on Sunday ... or worse yet, children's versions when they were young. They have never read the Bible like they would read any other book.

My personal favorites for bible studies are Kay Arthur and Beth Moore. I feel that they make you read your Bible and fill in the historical knowledge that is necessary to fully understand the content.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

never heard that before. must be in one of the later chapters.

It doesn't say it in that book, but that is part of his agenda. Here is just one link about it.

The False Gospel Of The Emergent Church Leaders Exposed

 

[redblue22]

I'm afraid I'll need something in print. My computer does not care for the site.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Calvary Chapel and Purpose Driven

Here is another link from a Calvary Chapel guy.

 

[redblue22]

So what made you come to believe that he is misusing the bible and wants all religions worshiping together?

The four items listed are usually things people don't agree on even within their own building.

 

[dayhiker]

I have read the Purpose Driven Life. This method is very common with topical preachers.
When we studied the book in the church I was attending I didn't have any problem with the book. Ya, none can find all the points in the Bible. But that is pretty common with preachers.

Ever one of these charged against Rick that I've investigated have proven to be false by Ricks own words.
Rick Warren on Muslims, Evangelism, and Missions

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

So what made you come to believe that he is misusing the bible and wants all religions worshiping together?

The four items listed are usually things people don't agree on even within their own building.

When I tried to read Purpose Driven Life and tried to verify the scriptures he was using to make his points and when I read the scripture references in my bible they did not say anything close to what he said in his book that they said.

I have read the Purpose Driven Life. This method is very common with topical preachers.
When we studied the book in the church I was attending I didn't have any problem with the book. Ya, none can find all the points in the Bible. But that is pretty common with preachers.

Ever one of these charged against Rick that I've investigated have proven to be false by Ricks own words.
Rick Warren on Muslims, Evangelism, and Missions

I agree somewhat. I think the book is OK. I don't think it's evil. I think it has some good ideas but why would an author need to use so many translations? And I do think our life has purpose but it's not tangible and it changes so it's not like something we can study for and pass the test.
Thanks for the link, I have not seen this one. I have listened to him speak and maybe he is not intentionally trying to mislead anyone, but something stirs in my spirit and I just can't shake it.
BTW side note...my uncle goes to his church

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

To me, bible study is about exploring God's word together with other believers in hopes that growth in our understanding and knowledge in God's word occurs.

What I find troubling recently, is some people's view of how the scripture is to be interpreted can be questionable. Whether that be on TV or in church, on the internet, or in bible study, it can make it hard to understand and much harder than it needs to be IMO.

Whether we are going thru how the language translates, and/or how some previously interpreted it there really is no concrete way of "knowing" your interpretation is always correct.

I, personally, believe that prayer is a big part of understanding and wisdom regarding the bible. I love getting together to study with other believers except the last study I was in. What I found was that the leader was of the opinion that he was the only one that had the correct interpretation and didn't really like it when the women in the group spoke up unless it was his wife or his close friend.

When I hear someone say something about the bible that I disagree with, I usually go to the scriptures and re-read the passages and pray that God would give me His wisdom to understand His word.
But I do think it's beneficial to study with others because everyone has a different perspective and that can be helpful. It can also be a hindrance.

What do YOU think?

When it comes to personal Bible Study , it is not an option to do it or not. God calls us to get his written Word infused into our very Being because it not only allows us to learn more about God...but it has a very profound effect on changing us / allows us to understand Ourselves and Others better / allows us to get a glimpse into a glorious future that awaits us / allows us to see why the Bible is inspired of God himself / and chisels us to be more like the person, nature, and character of Christ.

Corporate Bible Studying is also very important for the above mentioned reasons, plus other important reasons.

Many Christians are under the impression that the Bible is ambiguous and that there are many ways to interpret a given passage ; this is an error to believe so. Precious few passages are ambiguous . God is a perfect Being who wants everyone to read the Bible and understand it for their own edification and revelation of himself ; we do not need a designated 'papal Leader' or Scholar to tell us its meaning ------- the Bible was meant for ALL to read whether scholar or student. And with modern Bible containing a highly scholarly Commentary for virtually every passage...one can acquire the true context of the passage along with the culture at the time plus how it can be applied to our own modern day life. I regret that so many Christians have an inadequate view of Gods Word from the standpoint that 'its open to interpretation' when its 99% really quiet clear if one is willing to apply some fundamental principles first.

Lastly, we should check ALL teachings that come from People in accordance to what the Bible has to say on the given topic. If the Bible doesn't report on a given issue (which is not often at all), then a sober view of Gods very nature, character, and person should be enough to allow for a well reasoned act of personal discernment in conjunction with ones God given moral Conscience providing it hasn't been seared in order to accommodate what WE want to do in life / or what WE want to allow a loved one to go on doing in life because 'we want them to be happy' (or , are afraid of confronting them with the absolute truth as outlined clearly in Gods Word) .

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

wasn't talking about personal bible study