How to Study the Bible

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JANUARY 5, 2022 STUDY NOTES HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES INTRODUCTION Americans will stand accountable to God for their opportunities to read and study the Bible Living the life of salvation requires the learning of the Word of God, Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; No other generation has had the means of study and the freedom to study God’s Word as we have Today many churches and Christian organizations give away Bibles and offer Bible Studies The Bible is being printed in different languages throughout the world Different translations are being printed in hopes of better understanding the Bible Some are good, but be careful of turning away from the 1611 King James Version The truth of the “Word” of God has not changed since the original writing of Scripture The OT was originally written in the Hebrew language, the NT was written in the Greek language You can purchase Hebrew language Bibles and Greek language Bibles (Read them if you like) Man’s attempt to write scripture in modern language has often changed Bible meanings The difference throughout the ages is the differences in the “words’ used by man The English language has often changed the meaning of its own words Biblical Truth can be explained in new words, but must not result in new truth There is only one true interpretation of scripture, that which was written in the original, Psa 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Many believe that it is too difficult or even impossible to learn the Bible (Take time to try) It is not impossible to understand the Bible if we have a desire to read and study it We should have a desire to learn the Bible in-order to make it known unto others As we learn the Bible, we should have a growing desire to live the truths of the Bible As we learn and live, we should have a desire to live and learn even more We are to read the Bible, study the Bible, learn & live the Bible, live & learn more of the Bible As Christians we should hunger and thirst after righteousness, Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Believe the promise) SOME GUIDELINES These thoughts are just suggestions, you need to develop your own plan for Bible reading First do not think that it is necessary to read straight through the Bible in a certain time-period Your plan can be to begin reading in Genesis and read all the way through Revelation For most people that plan fails early in Genesis, by Genesis chapter 5, or in the book of Numbers Some schedule their time so they can read through the Bible in one year (Good if you can do it) There are One Year Bibles that will allow you to read from the OT and NT daily Page 1 of 5 Others use a different schedule that takes more than a year to read through the Bible There are many Bible reading plans that are successful, find one and use it Many Study Bibles suggest a plan for you, but you must be disciplined to read and study Just be sure that you have a time for Bible reading in your daily schedule As you read your Bible daily you will become familiar with its themes and truths, Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. TAKE TIME TO READ THE BIBLE You must have a planned effort and a planned effort requires discipline (You must want to learn) Schedule your time to read, select your reading for that time, keep that time (It will take time) Do not set your reading goals too high in the beginning, begin slow, your main goal is to read Advance in time as you become accustomed to reading the Bible daily (Put away the Cell Phone) In your time for reading the Bible spend your time “reading,” do not cross reference scripture Do not use study guides, just spend your time “reading” the Bible, learn to read the Bible Have a time for reading the OT and a time for reading the NT each day For the OT reading begin with one Proverbs and one Psalms a day, then from any OT book Reading one or more Psalms each day will strengthen your desire to read the Bible Read the NT a book at a time, start with the Gospel of John and then read 1 John Then do a parallel reading of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, find a “Harmony of the Gospels” Many study Bibles have a “Harmony of the Gospels” section, follow your daily schedule Begin with Matthew and follow the guides which lead you to read the other Gospel accounts Some study Bibles have a subject heading above the verse and give you parallel passages to read You can do additional Bible reading by reading your Sunday School lesson for the next Sunday Read the sermon passage that is being studied for Sunday and Wednesday night services The Sunday School passages, and the sermon passages, should be read every day for the week Once you have become a “Regular Reader” of the Bible, you are ready to “Study Scripture” HAVE A BIBLE STUDY TIME Regular reading of the Bible will discipline you to study the Bible, you will desire more Bible Bible Study is a search for the unanswered questions and research of what you have read Bible Study is the means of putting Bible Truths together, comparing Scripture with Scripture The same Bible truths are taught over-and over again in the Bible, especially in the NT letters A study of Bible characters will reveal great Bible Truths concerning our daily life The character of their life and the circumstances they faced will vary, we can learn from each one The truths of life that apply to each Bible character and their circumstances will apply to us today Passages that are going to be studied must be read several times, read them over and over You must realize the importance of “Repetition” and “Review,” which is the way we learn Read the same passage over and over within a given time (Today, this week, keep your schedule) During Bible Study time take notes and ask questions (Use a notebook or your computer) Write down your thoughts and questions concerning the verses you are reading Prepare for a monthly question and answer session during a Sunday afternoon service Sharing questions and answers together can be a time of learning and learning to share Study by chapter, by paragraph, verse by verse, word by word, learn original meanings Word studies allow you to learn the original meaning of the Greek or Hebrew words Be involved in more than one area of study at a time, you can lose your concentration It often helps to continue your study time by switching from one study to another study You can also switch from reading to study or from studying to reading Switching studies can keep you mentally alert and your thinking fresh RULES FOR BIBLE STUDY Don’t determine what a passage says before you study it, study with an open mind and heart Page 2 of 5 Be willing to change your mind as a-result of further and deeper study, always agree with God Be willing to change your heart as a result-of understanding what the Bible is saying Always make a personal application from your time of study, what does this verse say to me? Ask, how do I apply what I have learned to my daily life? (Then watch for it to happen) We are to “Learn” Scripture in order that we may “Live” Scripture Some want to learn the Bible just for the purpose of arguing with others concerning their views Study to obey the commands, claim the promises, heed the warnings, and accept the truths And most important of all, learn Bible Truths in-order to reveal them to others, Psa 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. STUDY TOOLS A personal library is the toolbox of one who works at studying the Bible The right tools can make the job exciting, easy, and pleasant (There is nothing like Bible Study) Have a good Study Bible (remember that foot notes are not a part of the inspired Scripture) Read different translations (some modern translations are worded from personal interpretations) There is nothing wrong with the King James Version, it has been preached for over 400 years The truths to learn and live are still the same, the message to preach has not changed Regardless of what Bible translation you read, Bible study tools are very helpful and beneficial A Bible Dictionary is an A-Z resource about books, people, places, times, things, and doctrines Use a Word Study Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Especially for the NT) Word Study Dictionaries define and explain the original language of the Bible (A must for study) An Exhaustive Concordance is an index of every Bible word, identifying every time it is used A Concordance is organized in English alphabetical order Showing every single Biblical reference in-which that word appears (using a certain translation) Single volume Commentaries of the OT and the NT explain the meaning of a verse Read Bible book commentaries for the current book you are studying Remember that Bible commentaries are the personal interpretation of different Bible scholars Various verses of the Bible always agree, Bible scholars don’t always agree, guess who is wrong? Study until you can understand what a comparative verse study is teaching us Keep in mind that one Scripture will never contradict another Scripture INTERPRETATION To interpret means to explain or tell the meaning of something Biblical interpretation is explaining what a Bible verse is saying, especially to us Biblical interpretation must be presented in an understandable way for others to learn In-order to properly interpret Scripture, you must put aside preconceived thinking Which means don’t have your mind made up before you allow God to speak to your mind Read the Bible with an open mind and an open heart, desiring to learn Biblical Truth Each Scripture has its meaning which must not be changed to be what we want it to mean Properly interpreted Scripture can be applied to various situations and circumstances of life CONTEXT Context means the study of a single word within a verse, a verse within a passage, a passage within a chapter, a chapter within a book, and a book applied to the entire Bible Not one verse of Scripture will contradict any other verse of the Bible A text taken out of context is a pretext, which is making a verse say what you want it to say People do not treat any other educational source that way, why do the Bible that way? If you think you have found a contradiction in Scripture, you have not studied enough Scripture Always accept a literal interpretation, when possible, even though it may not seem possible today There are many examples in the book of Revelation, in past ages the literal seemed impossible Today we can understand them as literally taking place and just waiting for them to happen Page 3 of 5 When the literal makes sense, seek no other sense, which will result in nonsense Scripture never contradicts Scripture, and all Scripture will be fulfilled as promised by Scripture All-of the OT prophecies which have already been fulfilled were literally fulfilled Revealing to us that the future fulfillment of Scripture will literally be fulfilled STEPS FOR BIBLE STUDY Be sure that you are saved, Satan blinds the mind of those who are lost, 2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. In Christ all things will be revealed, 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. “In Christ,” we can learn and live, Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. As you read and study pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart, 1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Pray before and during your time of Bible Study, Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Never read or study the Bible without praying for the Spirit to illuminate the truth to you Pray for the Holy Spirit to turn the light on so that you can see what the Bible is telling you When the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart through the Word of God, agree with God, Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Page 4 of 5 Agree with God and confess your sins, 1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Be committed to Bible Study, put forth the effort, Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Be determined to learn the Bible, work hard at it, 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Have a strong desire to learn, 1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Study God’s Word with your whole heart, Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. CONCLUSION Do not be afraid to write in your Bible, mark verses, color code or high lite the scriptures Making notes in your Bible is not the unpardonable sin Write down the things that you do not understand about a certain verse Often as you continue to read a passage you will find the answer to your question Interpret the Bible with the Bible, use a cross reference Bible, compare Scripture with Scripture Discipline yourself, find your best time of the day for study, then study a section at a time Take every opportunity for studying with others (Sunday School; Faithful Church attendance) One very important reason for learning the Bible is found in, Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. A 2013 BIBLE READING SURVEY The conclusion from a survey for the American Bible Society: “Americans love the Bible but don’t read it much” 88 percent say they own a Bible; The average household has four or more Bibles 80 percent agree that the Bible is from God 61 percent agree that they should spend more time reading the Bible 57 percent read the Bible less than four times a year Only 26 percent read their Bible on a regular basis One out of 5 Americans read the Bible; 50% of Americans think the Bible is no longer relevant A 2021 BIBLE READING SURVEY Only 29% of those contacted responded to the survey, another shocking statistic Which indicates that the majority-of Americans are not interested in the Bible The most committed Bible readers were those aged over 70 years 29% never read the Bible; 13% read the Bible less than once a year 8% once or twice a year; 8% 3 or 4 times a year; 8% once a month; 9% once a week 9% several times a week; 5% 4 or more times a week; 11% of Americans read the Bible daily Do we even need to ask, why is America facing such difficult days? Will we soon see the downfall of America? How far down does America have to go before we call it “Downfall?” Americans are not reading the Bible, but they are fulfilling Biblical prophecy 1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. It is time for Christians to read the Bible, study the Bible, learn, and live the Bible Page 5 of 5
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