Self Bible Study Recommendations??

[AzMom81]

Hey everyone I am looking for some good self bible studies to do on my own over the summer. I don't mind if there women's topics or not just something to keep me busy and deep into the Bible! Thanks for your help in advance!!

Heather

 

[joey_downunder]

It is really good you are planning that far ahead.

Your question is so broad.... it would be good if you could answer these questions first to get an idea of what you would benefit from the most.

How new to Christianity are you? e.g. why Jesus had to be crucified for our sins.

Are there any specific personal issues that probably would be great to look at from a christian perspective? e.g. grief

Do you want to learn how to defend your faith? e.g. answering non-christians why Jesus is the only way to God.

 

[AzMom81]

I am a new Christian looking to develop my faith not defend it.

I really am looking for studies that are helping me grow my faith, grow closer to god.

Also anything that can relate to family as well, we have young kids and are taking this religious journey together as a family.

thanks!
Heather

 

[hedrick]

How much time do you want to spend and how much do you like an intellectual approach? You can get studies that will take you through the Bible or one book. And that can be just fine. There are some good study guides for that, like the old Barclay's studies. I'm not sure they're still considered current. Macarthur is more recent and seems widely used, though I have no idea how good.

But if you're out to develop real expertise you'll want some background in history and theology, and then you can do your Bible study at a more sophisticated way.

One reasonable approach if you're willing to spend some time is to read a Bible alongside a book with a title like "Introduction to the NT" or OT. These normally combine some historical background, an overview of the material, the background for each book, and comments on some of the key content. This will give you a better introduction than normal bible study guide. Introductions come at various levels and with various theological orientations. Many are designed for a one semester college course, but there are slightly less comprehensive ones design more for self-study.
For the NT something like Lea and Black, or Achtemeier and Green if you want to see critical scholarship. These are intended for some kind of class, though one of the reviews suggests Lea and Black can be appropriate for things short of a full college class. I believe I've seen books like this more appropriate for a lay study group, but personally I'd use one of the college level ones. (But understand that my approach was to start by learning NT Greek. You may not be that hard-core.)

An odd suggestion, which is only appropriate if you're open to critical scholarship: Harvey Cox "When Jesus came to Harvard" takes you through the material Cox used for an enormously popular class on Jesus. It's a nice introduction to Jesus as seen by scholarship, but also contains personal reflections.

 

[Peripatetic]

Bible study podcasts are a great way to learn whether you are new or not. Even if you don't know how to download them to a phone or portable player, you can get to them on the web. A New Beginning with Greg Laurie is a very good choice for new Christians.

 

[salida]

I would get an online study-its not necessary to pay someone for this. Resources below also.

www.testthespirit.com
www.soundreason.com
www.crossexamined.org
www.carm.org
www.alwaysbeready.com
www.evidencebible.com
www.tektonics.com
(bible difficulties)

 

[Bible2]

AzMom81 said in post #1:

Self Bible Study Recommendations?

The best way to study the Bible, as a whole, is simply to read every word of it (Matthew 4:4) over and over again. It ends up explaining itself, once every word of it has become completely engrained in one's memory, and one sees all the connections between verses regarding something in one place in the Bible and other verses regarding that same thing in other places in the Bible: It's by comparing and combining related verses from different places in the Bible that we arrive at correct doctrine (Isaiah 28:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:13).

It's also a good practice to always end each reading session with a prayer for understanding and remembrance of the entire Bible.

-

One reading plan is to think of the Bible as seven volumes:

1. Genesis to Deuteronomy
2. Joshua to Esther
3. Job to Song of Solomon
4. Isaiah to Malachi
5. Matthew to Acts
6. Romans to Philemon
7. Hebrews to Revelation

You can read a chapter in each volume every day. This will keep you current in every part of the Bible. There won't be any part of the Bible that you haven't read recently enough to remember what it says. When you reach the end of a volume, simply start again at the first chapter of that volume. In this way, you will be cycling through smaller volumes like #6 and #7 much more often than larger volumes like #2, but the smaller volumes are so much more dense with doctrine that it can be profitable to read them over and over more often.

-

Also, you can listen to recordings of people reading the Bible, whenever you need to keep your eyes on something else while you listen (such as keeping your eyes on the road while you drive, or on a cutting board while you're preparing food, or on your clippers while you're trimming a hedge). In this way, you can listen to the Bible throughout the day, whenever you don't need to be thinking about something else (such as at your workplace).

Also, there are some recordings of people reading the Bible out loud in which the reader's excellent voice can help you to realize more the grandeur of the scriptures. Some of these recordings also have great background music which can also help you to sense more the majesty of what's being said. Also, when the Bible is quoting different people having a conversation (e.g. Luke 20), some recordings have a different person read each part, which can help you to experience more the drama of what's going on. And some recordings even have background sound effects, like the sound of a large crowd of people (e.g. Mark 6:39) or water running in a river (e.g. John 1:28) or the music at a wedding feast (John 2:9-10), which can help you to imagine the scene more fully, and so to remember it better. Recordings of the Bible can also be listened to while you're going to sleep, so that God's Word will become engrained even down into your subconscious mind.

 

[AzMom81]

wow i'm not looking to become a scholar over night just some good book recommedations for reading..... I listed previously what I am interested in. I am currently involved in a womens group study and we are doing different womens study books such as lisa terkerst (sp)
So any ideas thanks!

Heather

 

[Aino]

I agree with the above poster and I would like to add that the best Bible studies are often in a group. Find a couple of christian friends, read the Bible together - the way Bible2 suggested for example - and discuss. Ask a pastor or find online sermons or a good commentary if you don't understand something. But above all, I think the most important thing is prayerfully reading the Bible together with other Christians. Study books and programs can be nice but following them too strictly just spoils things.

 

[Isatis]

I am a new Christian looking to develop my faith not defend it.

I really am looking for studies that are helping me grow my faith, grow closer to god.

Also anything that can relate to family as well, we have young kids and are taking this religious journey together as a family.

thanks!
Heather

Bible Study Lessons Free Online|Christian Course Lesson Studies. I strongly recommend it if you're a new christian.
-- The first course is on the Gospel of Mark, which is the shortest and the simplest of the four gospels.
-- The second course is about the lordship of Jesus.
-- Then, there are two courses on the book of Acts to learn on the history of the early church and the beginning of Christianity.
-- Two more courses on following Jesus and the last course is about conversion.

You also need to make it a habit to read the Bible everyday. I have several bible plans for you.
Zondervan - Bible Reading Plans

Welcome to our family. May the Lord guide you and bless you always.

 

[Smashleigh17]

I'm new to Christianity too and have found that reading the Bible definitely reaffirms your faith and gives you insight on a whole new level into things that at first seemed so basic. I have learned so much already (has been just over a month).

I use the YouVersion website and the corresponding app for my Bible readings. It's really great and provides you with daily readings surrounding different topics and offers many different versions of the Bible.

I've been told by a couple of my Christian friends that Bible Study groups with your local Church are really helpful. I'm planning on trying them out beginning next week .

I hope you discover everything you're looking for through God's Word !

 

[EvangelistJimmy]

You know for a start as for you to grow and develop you relationship with God there is a great series called DFD Designed for Discipleship and the first in the series is called Your life in Christ and it talks to you about your new identity in Christ ans that God made you and the second in the series is called The spirit filled follower of Christ it gives a basic overview of Christianity and the foundation for your faith its by navpress. Google navpress and DFD and order it online and you can go through it as a family and its someone a journal where you answer questions and record your thoughts. or I'm sure they have it at your local bookstore. Hopes this help.

 

[ClairEuk73]

wow i'm not looking to become a scholar over night just some good book recommedations for reading..... I listed previously what I am interested in. I am currently involved in a womens group study and we are doing different womens study books such as lisa terkerst (sp)
So any ideas thanks!

Heather

Hi Heather, Look online for a book called 'Living By The Book' by Howard G. Hendricks. I bought this book second-hand from a Christian bookshop a number of years ago and it's helped me lots! It really helps you to analyse what you are reading so that you're not left wondering 'what was that passage all about?'. It's written in an accessible style and makes so much sense! Would be a great investment

Hope this helps, and good luck
Clair

 

[Godsappointedtime]

Hey everyone I am looking for some good self bible studies to do on my own over the summer. I don't mind if there women's topics or not just something to keep me busy and deep into the Bible! Thanks for your help in advance!!

Heather

Rick Warren - The Purpose Driven Life

Its a forty day course that you might like. Many quotes from the book available online.
Here is a quote that I found to give you a feel for the book to see if you want to include it in you summer study.

"Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you begin to live it on purpose. God says, "I know what I am planning for you.... `I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."" You may feel you are facing an impossible situation, but the Bible says, "God ... is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes."
Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you don't do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren't. You simply ask, "Does this activity help me fulfill one of God's purposes for my life?"
Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources. You will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and your mood at that moment. People who don't know their purpose try to do too much-and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict.
It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You have just enough time to do God's will. "

 

[Bible2]

Godsappointedtime quoted Warren in post #14:

People who don't know their purpose try to do too much-and that causes stress, fatigue, and conflict.

That can be right. Jesus isn't a hard taskmaster; he won't ever give believers more work to do for him than they can easily bear (Mt. 11:28-30). So if believers ever get stressed out that Jesus is asking them to do too much, it's not Jesus asking them to do whatever is stressing them out (Lk. 10:40-42). They need to take a step back and ask Jesus to show them what particular work he's actually asking them as individuals to do (Mk. 13:34, Rom. 12:6-8).

Jesus gives different believers different amounts of spiritual talents (Mt. 25:15), so it's not possible for all believers to do the same spiritual work for Jesus, or to accomplish the same amount for him. And so one believer shouldn't judge another believer for not doing the same spiritual work that he's doing, or accomplishing as much as he's accomplishing (Rom. 14:4), nor should any believer think that the spiritual work Jesus has given him or her is unnecessary and not a real part of the operation of the church (1 Cor. 12:14-30). But there's still no room for complacency, because for those believers who have been given much spiritual talent by God, much will be required of them by God (Lk. 12:48b), and for those believers who haven't been given as much spiritual talent by God, they're still expected to accomplish something for him, and not sit back and do nothing at all for him (Mt. 25:26,30, Jn. 15:2a, Rom. 2:6-8).

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Hey everyone I am looking for some good self bible studies to do on my own over the summer. I don't mind if there women's topics or not just something to keep me busy and deep into the Bible! Thanks for your help in advance!!

Heather

If you have time on your hands, I recommend that you check out a very interesting and truthfilled seminar series by Walter Veith (former evolutionist and athiest, now christian). The name of the series is "Total Onslaught". You can do a google search with the name and you would get the videos.