read the bible, advice please.

[Blessed-one]

besides bible studies from church (which i only have once a month), how do you study the bible? um.... to be more precise, how do you meditate on God's word.

last time i did it by reading the bible from Genesis to Revelation, some books were pretty dry while others were .... relevant but i soon forgot the stuff. If i read the bible everyday, which one should i pick? and should i be using a bible study guide to go with it or just read a verse and think on it?

thanks.

 

[carmen]

I think everyone finds their own set pattern of reading the bible.
The more you read it the more God will reveal himself and his will to you.
I can remember a lady saying to me its the living word its alive. She was so excited about it I thought she had lost the plot. But the more you read it the more alive it will become to you.It is alive, and carry's the power and authority of the Living God.
I have a Billy Grayham study Guide of the bible that I have found very useful. As he challenges you to did deep into each chapter and see what's there. I like to read a psalm or a proverb. Psalms to build a relationship with God and proverbs so I learn how to treat my fellowman.
I also like to word study by using a concordance on any area that I would like to know more about or that God is talking to me directly about.
I also enjoy unlining what God is saying to me as I find the next time around it will be some times something different in the same verse.
I also check as each book is re-read so I am making sure my reading is balanced.
Meditating on God's word is simply going over and over a scripture thinking deeply,reflecting speaking it out.The more you meditate the deeper the word of God will go down into your spirit. You will have a deeper understanding of scripture. Kind of like planting a seed of Gods word in your heart as you say it over and over it becomes alive to you. It starts to grow, its water by the more you say it . producing a harvest. As faith comes by hearing the word . So your belief in God, your trust in God and the word will grow. You will grow strong having a double edged sword to fight the enemy of your soul.

 

[eldermike]

Got a great book for you. "The way if a Worshiper" by Buddy Owens

He has a Bible study method that is the best I have ever seen. I use it in my small group and in Jan I will be teaching it to a larger Sunday School class.

 

[Gerry]

Well, if you ask 100 Christians you will get 1,000 different suggestions.
All of them slanted in one way or another.

So I would not presume to advise you or anyone else in any specific sense. However, I would give this advice to anyone new to the "study" of God's Word, considering the times in which we now live.

1) Use the KJV as your "Standard"
2) Definitely use the NKJV
3) Definitely use JB Phillips translation for a modern day translation to compare to and enhance the KJV. It is available free on line. I have posted the link many times for all. It is a "Translation" and not a paraphrase by a well respected Bible Scholar.
4) Concentrate and STUDY the Book of John. It is filled with the teachings of Jesus and if it were the only Book of the Bible we had it would be all we need to get to Heaven.

Peace and Blessings to you!

 

[BigEd]

I think there are two very important parts to bible study.

1. Prayer: In order to truely understand the bible i must. I must pray for understanding. over passages that i strugle with or "pop" out at me I must pray over.

2. Discipline: In order for my bible study to be effective, it must be regular. I read my bible each day, at the same time (for me in the morning before i go to work). you will need to find a find a time and place that best suits you scedual and need. best to find a place and time that is quite and free from distraction.

you may already know this , but i thought i should suggest this just in case.

bible study the most wonderful thing you can do for youself. It will truely bless you.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

I think it's very important to ask many questions about a small area of text to bring out the fullest view of what was meant. I.E. What is the significance of the walls of the pen in John10? Stuff like that which really brings out the deep stuff in the verse. Also never underestimate one word either. I firmly believe that God does not waste words... so think about this.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning God.... notice before anything else, there was God. And that it was the only beginning, and the same beginning that is mentioned later in Chapter 1. Stuff like that Hope this post helps. Have a great day!

 

[Gerry]

May I also suggest that in my opinion no serious Bible study can be sone with anything less than a Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. That is the minimus you will need in addition to the the Written Word.

 

[Blessed-one]

thanks for the advice, guys, it really helps.

carmen,
i do underlines too, they really help when i need to find a verse in a hurry.

eldermike,
i'll check out that book. um, is it "The way of a worshiper"? you sure it's "if a worshiper"?

BigEd,
yeah.... i know, it's best to find a time that really suits and all. I just am not sure which book to study! my aunt has been saying how the old testament is a fascinating study, but i'm not even that familiar with the new testament yet.

sbbqb7n16,
thanks! paying attention to singular words, and be mindful of repetition.

I firmly believe that God does not waste words

um.... something to think of.

Gerry,
i studied John some while back, but the study guide i used was all about the technical meaning of words. I ran through the book without getting..um, much out of it except to know the "story".
think so? i only have a NIV bible.

 

[Gerry]

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

 

[eldermike]

http://www.maranathamusic.com/wayofworshiper.html

 

[Gerry]

Gerry,
i studied John some while back, but the study guide i used was all about the technical meaning of words. I ran through the book without getting..um, much out of it except to know the "story".
think so? i only have a NIV bible.

If all you have is an NIV BIble, you are not equipped to have a Bible Study.

You need a KJV for a standard or an American Standard Version (1901 edition). You also MUST have a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and a Solid and acurate Modern day Translation.

At least all these things are available on-line:

http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

www.e-sword.net

With the above you get all that plus Matthew Henry's Commentary

I said John because in that Book we are not only told How to be saved but we are told BY Jesus WHY we are saved and what is expected of us as far as treating each other and those not of the faith. We are told what we can and cannot do. John is so much more than just a story.

At least do a study of the 15th Chapter. I think you will be amazed at what you find there.

 

[D-Lyte]

Originally posted by BigEd
I think there are two very important parts to bible study.

1. Prayer: In order to truely understand the bible i must. I must pray for understanding. over passages that i strugle with or "pop" out at me I must pray over.

2. Discipline: In order for my bible study to be effective, it must be regular. I read my bible each day, at the same time (for me in the morning before i go to work). you will need to find a find a time and place that best suits you scedual and need. best to find a place and time that is quite and free from distraction.

you may already know this , but i thought i should suggest this just in case.

bible study the most wonderful thing you can do for youself. It will truely bless you.

Very True...

For me personally, I think the first thing we need is to make sure is to have the right motive.  The reasons why we read the Bible are to draw near to God Himself and build our relationship with Him--not a ritual and not a "habits" (don't do it because you have to). 

 Other than prayer, singing songs to praise Him is also a good way to begin.  Afterall, before people have the Bible they only pray and sing to Him (plus the fact that it calms down the heart).  And regarding the reading...concentrate on the NT (but don't disregard the OT) simply because we are living in the period of Grace and not Law.  Sometimes it helps to have a Bible handbook on the side.  It gives more info. regarding the time and text that we're reading. 

 

[Blessed-one]

thanks guys, and D-Lyte.

i'm gonna check out the sites.