How to Study the Bible:

Helpful Hints for Effective Bible Study

 
  1 STUDY WITH AN OPEN MIND Try to find what the Bible teaches rather than trying to make the Bible prove what you already believe. Remember that "the gospel is the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16). Opinions cannot save us, but the gospel can.

2 STUDY THE BIBLE SYSTEMATICALLY This is the purpose of this course. Students at any institution of learning cannot learn geometry, chemistry, or physical science if they skip around haphazardly from subject to subject. The same holds true in Bible study.

3 STUDY THE BIBLE DAILY In Acts 17:11 the Bible tells readers of the people at Berea, "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." If these disciples were encouraged to check the teachings of the apostles, how carefully we should be today?

4 REALIZE THAT "TRUTH" DOES EXIST Maybe you've heard "you can prove anything by the Bible." This statement borders on blasphemy--if this statement is true then the Bible is filled with contradictions and lies teaching opposite doctrines on every page. Most people would be offended if anyone said that their character was such that you could prove anything by them, yet some make this accusation against God's own words. Remember that the truth never contradicts itself. If religious beliefs contradict one another it is because either one of them (or both of them) are not in harmony with the truth.

5 STUDY WIDELY If you could learn everything that God wants us to know in one single verse, there would be no purpose for the rest of the scriptures. In studying a certain scripture we should always consider context (verses surrounding the verse under consideration) as well as to whom, when, and under what conditions the scripture was written.

6 APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN TO YOUR LIFE One of the greatest Bible tragedies was the Rich Young Ruler of Matthew 19 who inquired of the Lord what he must do to inherit eternal life. Upon receive the answer to his question, the Bible says that "...he went away sorrowful..." (verse 22). Bible knowledge is wonderful, but it is of little value unless it is actively put to use.

May the Lord bless you in your study of His Word.

Created 2009 Jan 02