Understanding the Bible better

[calsangel22]

I want to understand the bible better I have read the bible also have done studies but I just don't get it..And my husband makes me feel bad When I don't see it his way Please help if you all can...

 

[daveleau]

Well, what version do you read? If you read the King James Version, I do not want to discourage that practice, but a look at an New International Version might help because the language is so much more modern. One thing that helped me was a parallel Bible. It has the KJV version on one page and the NIV or the New Living Verion on the other. Both the New Living and the New International are easier to read and can provide insight into understanding. There are those that believe that these are flawed, but in my studies, they are a superb resource and should be used to promote understanding at least.

 

[Evangelical Pastor]

There are three different Bibles you can consider.One is called The New Testament from 26 Translations.Although it is expensive it gives you a variety of different wording for most lines in the New Testament.There is also the Amplified New Testament that gives modern English words after the verses to explain them.The third possibility is a ten dollar paperback edition written in a magazine format primarily designed for teen girls but which you will find easy and interesting to read.A visit to a Christian bookstore will allow you to look over these possibilities.In addition,you can purchase a Bible commentary book which explains and even sometimes gives historical information about almost every verse in the Bible.You can also find this study aid free online at the croswalk.com website.

 

[daveleau]

www.e-sword.com
www.blueletterbible.com
www.biblegateway.com
These are good as well. The e-sword is one that gives you a ton of resources and is pretty much all of the QuickVerse software in a freely downloadable group. The only thing that I wish it had that it doesn't is the NIV, but that is licensed and costs them money.
I'd stay away from paraphrased Bibles, as they are not as good for teaching or learning and often water down the Bible's contents. The ones the Pastor above has given are excellent.

 

[Rage4Christ]

Try some historical or archeological sources as well.. often they help put things into context.

 

[rogsr]

There are two versions of the bible that I use. The first, for studying, is the New King James Version. The second, for reading, is the Contemporary English Version. I would Highly recommend the CEV to anyone because of its easy readability (new word?). Don't forget to ask God to help you to understand His Wisdom..this is most important. I could never understand Jesus' teachings until the day I prayed for clarity, and then it all just kinda came to me...not kidding...it was one of my most profound expieriences thus far.

God Bless you,

sean

 

[Nater_Tater]

Before I do my daily bible reading, I sit down and meditate for 10 minutes. During this time I pray to God to open my mind so that I will receive the wisdom in the text that I am about to read. The meditation gives me time to clear my mind of other things, so that I'm not distracted from what I am reading.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Can you be a little more specific about the kind of difficulties you are having?

Also, how do you read the Bible? (e.g. How big a chunk do you usually read at one sitting? How often?)

Do you usually read and study alone, or in a class or group?

Can you give an example of something your husband has made you feel bad about?

Does your husband have a favorite Bible teacher who influences him a lot?

How long has he been studying the Bible?

How long have you?

Can you give an example of something you don't understand?

 

[Iosias]

I want to understand the bible better I have read the bible also have done studies but I just don't get it..And my husband makes me feel bad When I don't see it his way Please help if you all can...

What specifically is the problem, why can you not understand? Have you prayed for the illumination of the scriptures by the Holy Ghost?

 

[vinc]

I agree with Nater_Tater's reply. Thatz how i do too. It is also good to sing a few hymn songs of praise before you start reading the Bible as it will condition your heart to be receptive to the Word of God.

The Bible says in Luke:24:45: Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

So, unless He opens our mind and our understanding we cannot understand the Bible. Therefore, pls pray and ask the Lord to help you before you read the Bible. Pls see to it that there is no external disturbance/distractions while you read the Bible. And do not read the Bible in a hurried manner.

Pls do not be discouraged by your Husband's words or anyone else's words. Everyone interprets Bible in a different way in minor things although we may agree in the major things.

Every Child of God WILL be able to understand the Bible (although the pace of understanding may wary from individual to individual) as is written in the Bible in John:6:45: "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God".

Go on reading as the Spirit prompts you to read. Do not limit yourself to several verses or to a single chapter a day. Read as much as you can if you have the time apart from your daily routine. Read complete books of the Bible continuously if possible. That way you get the whole picture in one sitting. Cross-question yourself with the "Why", "When", "How", "Where" questions. These will help you to gain more understanding. If you don't get the answer immediately, persevere until you get the answer by asking others or by studying other devotional books or Bible study aids.

If you want to stop at a single verse and ponder about it for a long time. Do that. This is all a part of Bible study and meditation.

God will never scold us if we ask for wisdom (in understanding the Bible). He gives liberally to all if we ask Him according to the following verse :-

James:1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

There are 2 kinds of wisdom. Earthly Sensual Wisdom and Heavenly Spiritual Wisdom (Wisdom from Above) as mentioned in the following verses :-

James:3:15: This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James:3:17: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

So, pls ask the Lord to give you the Spiritual Wisdom from Above which is pure, peaceable and gentle.

No human being has ever understood the complete Bible in a few days or few months. It takes some years to get a good understanding of the Bible which includes our life situations also. God will also use our life-situations to speak to us thru the Bible and make us understand the Bible.

Also, we must be willing to change our life according to what we read in the Bible. The individual who radically changes himself/herself as God speaks to him/her thru the Bible will also be able to learn and understand the deeper things of the Bible sooner. We MUST apply the truths of the Bible in our day-to-day life as the Word of God speaks to us. As the saying goes "The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the People of God."

Hope this helps in anyway.

May the Lord Bless you with incredible Bible understanding over a period of time!

 

[TheMainException]

It could be that Satan is blocking you from understanding it...pray before hand that God will open your heart and mind and let the words bring you to a new understanding.