27. Revelation A.D. 94–96 John
24. 1 John A.D. 90–95 John 25. 2 John A.D. 90–95 John 26. 3 John A.D. 90–95 John 27. Revelation A.D. 94–96 John
How to Study the Bible
Here are tips on how to get the most out of the study of this "divine handbook." These pointers will help answer the most crucial question of all, "How can a young man keep his way pure?" The psalmist responds, "By guarding it according to your word" (Ps. 119:9).
Why Is It Important to Study the Bible?
Why is God's word so important? Because it contains God's mind and will for your life (2 Tim. 3:16–17). It is the only source of absolute divine authority for you as a servant of Jesus Christ.
It is infallible in its totality: "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps. 19:7).
It is inerrant in its parts: "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar" (Prov. 30:5–6).
It is complete: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Rev. 22:18–19).
It is authoritative and final: "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heaven" (Ps. 119:89).
It is totally sufficient for your needs: ". . . that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16–17).
It will accomplish what it promises: "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isa. 55:11).
It provides the assurance of your salvation: "Whoever is of God hears the
words of God . . ." (John 8:47; cf. 20:31).
How Will I Benefit from Studying the Bible?
Millions of pages of material are printed every week. Thousands of new books are published each month. This would not be surprising to Solomon who said, ". . . beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end" (Eccles. 12:12).
Even with today's wealth of books and computer helps, the Bible remains the only source of divine revelation and power that can sustain Christians in their "daily walk with God." Note these significant promises in the Scripture.
The Bible is the source of truth: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17).
The Bible is the source of God's blessing when obeyed: "But he said, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it'" (Luke 11:28).
The Bible is the source of victory: ". . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17).
The Bible is the source of growth: "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up" (1 Pet. 2:2).
The Bible is the source of power: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).
The Bible is the source of guidance: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105).
What Should Be My Response to the Bible?
Because the Bible is so important and because it provides unparalleled eternal benefits, then these should be your responses:
Believe it (John 6:68–69) Obey it (1 John 2:5)
Preach it (2 Tim. 4:2) Honor it (Job 23:12) Guard it (1 Tim. 6:20) Study it (Ezra 7:10) Love it (Ps. 119:97) Fight for it (Jude 3)
Who Can Study the Bible?
Not everyone can be a Bible student. Check yourself on these necessary qualifications for studying the word with blessing:
Are you saved by faith in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2:14–16)? Are you hungering for God's word (1 Pet. 2:2)? Are you searching God's word with diligence (Acts 17:11)? Are you seeking holiness (1 Pet. 1:14–16)? Are you Spirit-filled (Eph. 5:18)?
The most important question is the first. If you have never invited Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and the Lord of your life, then your mind is blinded by Satan to God's truth (2 Cor. 4:4).
If Christ is your need, stop reading right now and, in your own words with prayer, turn away from sin and turn toward God: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph. 2:8–9).
What Are the Basics of Bible Study?
Personal Bible study, in precept, is simple. I want to share with you five steps to Bible study which will give you a pattern to follow.
STEP 1—Reading. Read a passage of Scripture repeatedly until you understand its theme, meaning the main truth of the passage. Isaiah said, "To whom would he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isa. 28:9–10).
Develop a plan on how you will approach reading through the Bible. Unlike most books, you will probably not read it straight through from cover to cover. There are many good Bible reading plans available, but here is one that I have found helpful.
Read through the Old Testament at least once a year. As you read, note in the margins any truths you particularly want to remember, and write down separately anything you do not immediately understand. Often as you read you will find that many questions are answered by the text itself. The questions to which you cannot find answers become the starting points for more in-depth study using commentaries or other reference tools.
Follow a different plan for reading the New Testament. Read one book at a time repetitiously for a month or more. This will help you to retain what is in the New Testament and not always have to depend on a concordance to find things.
If you want to try this, begin with a short book, such as 1 John, and read it through in one sitting every day for 30 days. At the end of that time, you will know what is in the book. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter. By referring to the cards as you do your daily reading, you will begin to remember the content of each chapter. In fact, you will develop a visual perception of the book in your mind.
Divide longer books into short sections and read each section daily for 30 days. For example, the Gospel of John contains 21 chapters. Divide it into 3 sections of 7 chapters. At the end of 90 days, you will finish John. For variety, alternate short and long books, and in less than three years you will have finished the entire New Testament—and you will really know it!
STEP 2—Interpreting. In Acts 8:30, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, "Do you understand what you are reading?" Or put another way, "What does the Bible mean by what it says?" It is not enough to read the text and jump directly to the application; we must first determine what it means, otherwise the application may be incorrect.
As you read Scripture, always keep in mind one simple question: "What does this mean?" To answer that question requires the use of the most basic principle of interpretation, called the analogy of faith, which tells the reader to "interpret the Bible with the Bible." Letting the Holy Spirit be your teacher (1 John 2:27),