This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do
according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
Getting Started - Before you get started consider the following:
- When will you read? Do you have a consistent time?
- Where will you read? Do you have a consistent place?
- What will you read? Do you have a plan
- What do you need? Do you have a Bible, journal, pen and highlighter?
One of the most important things you can do before you study the Bible is pray. Pray that God would:
- Open your mind to understand the riches of His Word.
- Open your eyes to see the beautiful wonders of Christ and the glories of the gospel.
- Unite your heart to fear His name, knowing that your desires are ever divided.
- Satisfy you with His steadfast and unfailing love.
Choosing what to read - Some people choose to read the
entire Bible in a year, which involves 3-4 chapters a day (there are
1,189 chapters in the Bible).
- Others choose to read the Bible in three years, about one chapter a day.
- One chapter from the book of Proverbs and one Psalm could be added
to each daily portion for the practical and worshipful aspects of daily
living.
- Proverbs has 31 chapters, and many people read one chapter in the book of Proverbs daily.
- In determining the length of the passage you want to read and study,
remember that you want to read that which can be read thoroughly.
Reading the Bible effectively
It is possible to read without having read anything! There have been
times when you have read an entire page in a book, then realized you had
no idea what you had just read.
1) Read out loud
2) Read carefully
3) Read alertly, not mechanically
4) Read slowly, weighing each word
5) Read repeatedly. Read a passage over and over again
Step One: Observation |
What do you see?
Your primary concern is what does the Bible say?
1) Observe the basic facts in the text you are studying. This is the matter of the contents-what is said.
2) Ask questions to discover additional facts by more intense observation.
Ask some standard questions:
Who is…
…the author?
…the audience?
…being discussed?
…accomplishing the action?
Where is…
…the author?
…the audience?
…the action taking place?
What is the…
…meaning of this word?
…significance of this phrase?
…implication of this statement?
…overarching theme?
Why did the author…
…choose this word?
…include this phrase?
…use this command?
…connect these ideas?
…not say ____?
3) Mark up the passage. Don’t be afraid to write in your Bible.
Circle, underline and highlight. Write in the margins. Get creative.
4) List 2-3 overarching themes you see in the passage.
5) List at least two observations per verse. The more the merrier.
Step Two: Interpretation |
What does it mean?
Guidelines for interpreting the Bible:
1) Always try first to interpret the Bible literally.
2) Those who constantly try to find hidden meanings in the Bible
instead of taking it literally have done a great deal of harm. The
“Golden Rule of Interpretation” —”When the plain sense of Scripture
makes common sense, seek no other sense. Take every word at its primary
literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context stated clearly
indicate otherwise.”
3) Unique interpretations are usually wrong. Uniqueness can
often be attributed to pride (an attempt to “out clever” the rest of the
world).
4) Don’t assume too readily that you know what the text means.
5) All possible interpretations of a verse are not equally good.
6) A dangerous approach to Bible study today: What does this
mean to me? A passage cannot mean to me something substantially
different from what it meant to its original human author and readers.
Do not ask, what can this be made to teach? But rather, what was this
intended to teach?
What did God want those first readers of Scripture to
understand?
Tips for interpreting the Bible:
1) Consider the context.
2) Compare multiple translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, HCSB).
3) Look up key words.
4) Check out cross-references to see how this passage relates to others.
5) When stumped, list out all the various options and pros and
cons of each. After due consideration, use supplemental resources such
as the ESV Study Bible or commentaries for helpful insights and
background information.
6) Don’t stop until you have considered how this passage fits
into the overarching redemptive plan of God – the gospel. How does this
passage relate to the person and work of Christ?
7) Discuss insights and questions with your spouse and LifeGroup community.
Step Three: Application |
What do I do with it?
Bible study is incomplete until you have thought through how to apply
the particular passage to your life. Some passages will be more readily
applicable than others, but all Scripture is useful and helpful (2 Tim.
3:16-17).
1) List out a number of potential applications. To get started, here are a few questions to consider:
- Is there an example for you to follow?
- Is there a sin to repent of and/or avoid?
- Is there a promise to trust?
- Is there a prayer to repeat?
- Is there a command to obey?
- Is there a condition to meet?
- Is there a verse to memorize?
- Is there an erroneous view exposed?
- What else is the Lord pressing upon you?
2) Choose one or two particular applications and prayerfully
consider how you might pursue greater faithfulness in them. Be specific
about what you will do (or not do) and whom you will ask (in addition to
the Lord) to help you.
Further Resources:
- Consider a Bible reading plan. Many plans are available on your computer, Smart Phone or Tablet. Visit www.youversion.com for more information on these.
- Read Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks, or go through this study as a LifeGroup. http://www.livingbythebook.net/
