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Post by Admin on Aug 25, 2015 14:12:54 GMT
Table of Contents - Why Study the Bible?
- How to Begin Studying the Bible
- Basic Principles of Bible Study
- Inductive Bible Study
- List of Bible Studies for Beginners
- Ways to Study
- Tools for Bible Study
- Bible Reference Library
- Digging Deeper: In Depth Bible Study
I will add more to this. I will unlock this when this is completed.
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Post by Admin on Aug 25, 2015 19:29:54 GMT
Why Study the Bible? The Bible is the most printed and read book in history. More evidence exists to confirm the Bible than to confirm any other ancient historical document. God's Word can change your heart and transform your life. The Bible wasn't written to be merely history or a great piece of literature. It is meant to be read with both the mind and heart. God loves you and wants you to love Him. Reasons to study with your mind and heart- To know God -- God created the heaven and the earth and everyone in it. (Genesis 1 - 3)
- To enjoy and love God -- Meditate on God's character, principles, and promises. Rejoice in His love, care, and forgiveness. (Psalms 119:12-18, 160-162; 1 Timothy 6:17)
- To know God's Word -- The Scriptures were inspired by God. They teach us the truth and show us what is wrong in our lives. They straighten us out. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- To understand the Word -- Jesus is called the Word because He is the ultimate communication from God. He existed from the beginning with God, He is God, and He created everything. He said that those who have seen Him have seen the Father. (John 1:1-3; 10:30; 12:44, 45; 14:7-9)
- To learn direction in life -- The Bible shows us what to do. (Psalms 119:11)
- To find comfort and hope -- The Scriptures gives us encouragement. (Romans 15:4)
- To let God expose our innermost thoughts and desires -- His Word helps us to see ourselves as we really are and convict us of sin so that we repent and change. (Hebrews 4:12-16)
- To become pure and holy -- Jesus prayed this for all believers that they would be set apart for God and His holy purpose. (John 17:17-23)
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Post by Admin on Aug 27, 2015 1:15:30 GMT
How to Begin Studying the Bible - Plan a Study Time -- Decide on a quiet time and place to study God's Word and make it a daily habit, like eating. Some people get up early to spend time with God. Others study during the day or evening.
- Pray -- Ask God to help you understand His Word. Pray using your own words or something like this: "Lord, thank you for the Bible so that we will know who you are and what you want for our lives. Please help me understand it and do what you want me to do."
- Read and Re-read It -- The Bible is the most important letter you can ever receive. -- a message from the God of the universe who made you, loves you, and wants to communicate with you. Open your "love letter" every day. Re-read each chapter and verse several times.
- Know the Author -- Read Genesis to learn about God who created the world. All Scripture is inspired by God. God actually visited Earth in the form of man -- the man Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." Read the Gospel of John to learn God's plan for you.
- Take Notes -- Write notes about what you read. Use a specific notebook or "spiritual journal" especially for Bible study. The three questions of "Inductive Bible Study" will help you look at the facts and discover how they apply to you. You might want to underline key verses or write notes in the margin of your Bible.
- Make the Bible Your Authority -- Accept and believe that what the Bible says is true. It is God's Holy Word. God has a purpose for everything written in the Bible. You may not understand everything in the Bible, but obey and apply what you do understand.
(Psalm 46:10; John 14:26; Psalms 118:29; Genesis 1; John 1:10-34; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16; Psalm 119:11; Job 23:12) |
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Post by Admin on Aug 28, 2015 22:49:37 GMT
Basic Principles of Bible Study - Look for God's Over-All Plan -- The Old Testament reveals God's loving plan of salvation, from Creation to prophecies of the future Messiah (the Savior).
The New Testament reveals God's salvation of sinful man by the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and reveals the everlasting Kingdom of God.
God inspired 40 people over 1,600 years to write the 66 books of the Bible. - Find the Background of the Books (Five W's and One H) -- Find out who wrote the books and the reason for, or the theme of, the books. Ask "Who, What, Where, When Why, and How?" Usually, this information is in the first chapter or in the introduction to the book.
- Read Verses in Context -- Read the surrounding chapters and the verses before and after the verse you are studying. Get the whole picture. Don't study verses out of context. Look at the outline of the book.
- Whole Message of God's Word -- Take the whole Bible as God's Word. Don't just concentrate on one verse or one idea. See if the teaching is explained more fully in other parts of the Bible. Look at the small cross references in your Bible to help you find other verses on the same subject. For example, look at the cross references and the verses around John 3:16.
- Discover the Intended Meaning -- As you read the Bible, look for the author's intended meaning. What did the author want to say? What did it mean in that culture? What does it mean now? What are the main ideas? If you have any questions, write them down, pray for insight, and discuss your ideas with others.
- Learn the History and Geography -- Use a time line to learn about the history of the Bible. Use maps to learn about the geography of where the events took place.
- Figurative Language -- Figures of speech are word pictures that helps us understand a truth. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" is a metaphor that helps us picture the Bible enlightening our minds and actions and giving us direction. "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God" is a simile that compares ideas with the words "like" or "as." Similes occur over 175 times in the Psalms.
Jesus used personification when He said if the people did not declare the mighty works that had seen God do, the stones would cry out in praise. Hyperbole (exaggeration) is found in Matthew 5:29-30). - Forms of Literature -- The Bible contains various forms of literature: History, Narrative, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, Parables and Letters. Recognizing each form will help you to interpret the meaning. For example, parables explain a spiritual truth by means of a story or analogy. The parable of the Prodigal Son does not refer to a specific historical person but teaches that God is a loving father who joyfully welcomes back prodigal or rebellious children who later repent and return to Him.
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Post by Admin on Aug 28, 2015 23:24:37 GMT
Inductive Bible Study - What Does It Say? -- How can I find out for myself what the Bible says? Read it and re-read the Bible passage, using the "Basic Principles of Bible Study." Read silently some times and read aloud other times. Don't start by reading what others have concluded about the Bible. Inductive reasoning moves from specific examples to general conclusions. Deductive reasoning moves from general examples to specific conclusions.
- What Does It Mean? -- How can I know what the Bible means? After reading the facts, you can summarize them. Don't jump to conclusions too fast. Read the passages several times and pray for wisdom. You will learn more and remember more if you discover what the Scriptures say yourself. Look at cross references (other verses that relate to the verses you read).
- How Does It Apply to Me? -- How can I apply what the Bible says to myself? The goal of Bible Study is a transformed life and a deep relationship with God. Sometimes in Scripture, you will see a command to obey, an example to follow, a lesson to learn, or a sin to confess. Apply that to your life.
Other times, you will want to claim a promise, pray a prayer, forgive someone, or ask forgiveness. Listen to the "still small voice" of God. God says "Be still and know that I am God." As you listen and respond to God, you will be amazed at the results in your life as your relationship with Him deepens.
(1 Kings 19:12; Psalms 46:10)
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Post by Admin on Aug 28, 2015 23:43:53 GMT
List of Bible Studies for Beginners Start with these Books:Short Books:Book Study: 11 More Books to Study- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Psalms
- Proverbs
Chapter Study: 11 Key Chapters- John 1, 3 - 4
- John 14 - 17
- Romans 6, 8, 12
- Ephesians 5
Passage Study: 7 Key Passages- The Fall of Man - Genesis 3
- The Ten Commandments - Exodus 20:1 - 17
- THe Prophecy of the Coming Messiah - Isaiah 53
- The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1 - 11
- The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5 - 7
- The Two Great Commandments - Matthew 22:36 - 40
- The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11 - 32
Verse Study: 17 Key Verses to Memorize- Genesis 1:1
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- John 3:16
- John 1:9, 12
- Romans 3:23
- Romans 6:23
- Romans 5:8
- Romans 10:9
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Acts 16:30-31
- Philippians 4:6-7
- Psalms 119:11
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