Before we get into some simple steps to take to get the most out of Scriptures we must first address the concept of “Bible Study.” Can reading the Bible be considered “Bible Study?” The simple answer is no. Reading the Scriptures is part of Bible study, but by itself does not supply to us what is necessary for “life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).” To know God is to know who He is through the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit, through His Divine power, has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue… (2 Peter 1:3).” Notice, it is through the “knowledge of him” that the Holy Spirit has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.”

So how do we study the Scriptures?

The first and most important step to studying the Scriptures is to be born again. Unless we have believed in Jesus Christ for our salvation we can never truly understand the Scriptures.

The second step to studying the Scriptures is to have systematic plan. In other words, you must have a plan which connects the dots so to speak. You connect the theological concepts of Scriptures together which brings us to a greater understanding of God.

You have at your disposal number of great resources and tools which enhance your study such as Bible dictionaries, commentaries, lexicons, and concordances. Don’t rely on those resources and tools alone, but use them to enhance your study.

You were probably wondering where reading the Bible comes in and what part it plays in your study. In order to connect the theological concepts you must know what the Bible says. In order to know what the Bible says you must read it. To know what the Bible says is not the same as understanding what it says. In other words, unless you read the Bible with purpose you will never mine the riches of Scriptures.

Here are some things you can do to study the Scriptures in order to gain a better understand of God.

Choose a book of the Bible you want to read. As you are reading have a pen, highlighter and a couple pads of paper with you. When you come across a concept you do not understand, write it down and underline the words and/or verses which you do not understand. When you come to passages you feel are significant and/or interesting, highlight them.

When you have finished reading, taking notes and underlining and/or highlighting Scriptures, take your notes and look up the words and verses you underlined. Go to a reliable Bible dictionary and look up the words.

After you have looked up the words go to a concordance, preferable a computer based one, and find out other places that the word is found. Find the verses that sound similar to the way the word was used in the passage you were reading.

After you have done your word study, take the verses you underlined and go to a Bible commentary and read what others have said about the verses you underlined.

After you have done that, go back to your notes and summarize what you learned. Next determine, as best as you can, what are the three most significant concepts in the passage you are studying. In another note pad write down what you learned about the Bible and God and how you can apply those things you your life.

Finally, go to the verses you highlighted and meditate on them. Pray for understanding.

As you continue each day to read, keep in mind what you learned previously and begin to connect the different concepts together.

Here are some concepts you may want to study further and incorporate into your study:

• Creation
• Redemption
• Holiness
• The Attributes of God
• The Gospel
• Jesus Christ
• The Holy Spirit

Those concepts are not all inclusive, but they do give you wider understanding of the Scriptures.

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Published on: 2008-11-02 (7199 reads)