How do I study my Bible?…Do you have a plan?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 13: Bible Study”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”
Generally true.
While one can “fly by the seat of their pants” or “be spontaneous,” a plan provides clarity, direction and a focus. We have plans for school. We have plans at work. We have plans for something we build. Why? Because we desire a certain outcome and work towards that.
Let me encourage you to do the same for you Bible study.
Tip #9 Plan out a method of Bible study.
Perhaps the challenge is the infinite plans that can be created to study the Bible. However, just pick one. A random approach can be difficult as it may be challenging to get a flow of thought and determine context if you study the Bible by randomly choosing what you are going to read.
Perhaps choose a book of the Bible. Choose one you know and one you don’t and work through them. Reading through a whole book at the time gives a sense of progression through the book. Have a journal or make notes in the Bible. Another way to approach study is topically. Pick a topic and then look at all the passages in the Bible that deal with that topic. Online Bible sites like “Biblegateway.com” or “YouVersion.com” are helpful tools to search on different topics.
As you are reading, you may journal or think through S.O.A.P. This is a way to get more out of what your read. Simply put, here it is:
S- Scripture – choose the section of Scripture you are reading (verse, chapter, book)
O- Observation – Simply observe things about this section. Ask the “reporter’s questions”: Who? What? Why? When? Where? To Whom? Notice repeated words or phrases. Note what questions it creates (future Bible Study topics!).
A – Application – What is the truth God is bringing to you? How does it affect your life? What does it lead you to confess? What does it teach you to do or not do? What impact does it have for you.
P – Prayer – Perhaps the most important to pray through and about the words of Scripture. Let your prayers be molded by what you read!
This method will help you with the last tip of the week:
Tip #10 Meditate on what you read.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
The Bible is unlike any book you’ve ever read. Therefore we don’t read it like we would read a novel or a newspaper. You want more than simple knowledge of what it says. You want to use what it says — to apply what it says to your life. Focus on every word. Ask yourself questions like, “What do these verses tell me about God? What does this tell me about myself? What here makes me happy — or sad? How does God want to use this portion of his Word to change me to be more like him?” Throughout the day, turn that portion of Scripture over and over in your head. As you study, don’t be afraid to take notes or write in your Bibles. It helps reinforce what you’ve read. And don’t be afraid to come to your pastor with any questions you might have.
So there you have ten tips on getting more out of your Bible study. I pray you picked up one or two new ones to help you grow in your knowledge of and love for the Word of God. May God bless your study of his Word. May it equip you with the tools you need to get through this life. May it fill you with joy as you realize you have eternal life!
Apply: Email me at pastor@crossandcrowntx.com the tip that you are going to try in your Bible Study. Also send me tips that you have used to make Bible study more fruitful in your life.
Prayer: Open our eyes to see the wonders of your Word! AMEN.
How do I study my Bible?…Hidden messages?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 13: Bible Study”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Is there a hidden message?
Once in a while I will come across an article that claims that the author has “cracked the code” of the Bible and that now the “real understanding of what it says” will be determined. Some have worked years to crack the code of the Bible assuming there is some hidden meaning lurking beneath the clear meaning of the words.
I will grant some verses are confusing at times. Sometimes they are hard to understand, but there is no indication that hidden beneath the surface is a secret message.
If God wants all people to be saved, why would you cover the plan of salvation under the secret nature of a code too hard for most to even recognize?
He doesn’t and he won’t.
But occasionally you will come across a passage that seems confusing or hard to understand. Here’s what to do then…
Tip #7 Consider all passages in light of the clear, chief truths of God’s Word.
Here’s the bottom line: No correct interpretation of a portion of Scripture will contradict the doctrines that are easy to see and often stated in Scriptures (for example: mankind’s sinfulness, salvation by grace through faith, the deity of Jesus Christ, etc.).
To help put together the key truths of the Bible and understand better the context of the Bible, include in the near future this next tip:
Tip #8 Familiarize yourself with an overview of Bible history.
This will take time, so don’t rush yourself. But the Bible becomes even richer, the context becomes clearer, and your familiarity with the content of the Bible widens. An overview of the Bible helps you see God’s plan of salvation unfold through the eras. You can better arrange events in some sort of chronological order. The Biblical accounts become more vivid when you begin to grasp the historical context and customs of the day. For example, the sacrificial system of the Israelite’s worship seems, at face value, overly complex and even somewhat barbaric. But when you come to understand how each sacrifice somehow foreshadowed the work of Christ, your appreciation for Old Testament worship life is greatly enhanced.
Probably one of the best Bible History summaries I’ve come across is “The Story” by Randy Frazee. This 31 chapter book is 95% Bible text and 5% editorial comments to move the Biblical narrative along. It reads like a novel and singles out the key people and events of Bible History. You can read the whole Bible, but picking up a copy of “The Story” might be a better place to start. (Note – I don’t get any commission! Here’s the link: https://www.thestory.com/ )
Another set of resources that can enhance your knowledge of Bible history, is The People’s Bible series. This resource provides the Bible text along with comments by the author to fill in history, customs, and theological insights. Use them for your personal Bible study from time to time. (Here’s the link: https://online.nph.net/books/nph-series/the-peoples-bible )
The pages of the Bible are a lifetime of study, but they are also an endless source of wisdom, promise, and comfort. So begin or continue the journey…God will bless you through it!
2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Apply: What part of Bible history are you least familiar with? Take time in the month ahead to read it and understand it more.
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for recording your words in a way I can clearly understand your heart and your desire and your way you provided that I might spend eternity with you. AMEN.
How do I study my Bible…Literally?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 13: Bible Study”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“Do you read the Bible literally?”
“Yes!”
“So, do you believe that only 144,000 people will be in heaven?”
“No.”
“So you don’t take the Bible literally?”
“Yes, I do.”
Sounds like an Abbott and Costello “Who’s on first?” routine!
Perhaps you’ve had a conversation like this, or been a bit confused by the concept of what it means to have a literal understanding of the Bible.
Well, remember those primary education English classes when you learned about similes, metaphors and exaggerations? Remember your British lit class in high school where you learned about genres of literature? Remember when you tried to write your first poem?
But what does it mean to read the Bible literally?
Taking the Bible literally means to read the words of the Bible in the context of the type of speech they are.
Tip #6 Take a passage literally unless the Bible itself tells us it’s figurative.
Don’t look for hidden meanings in God’s Word. If the passage is meant to be taken figuratively either the passage itself or the context of the surrounding passages will indicate it is figurative speech. For example, a metaphor or simile gives permission to the reader to understand a “figure of speech.”
Matthew 13:24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.” A simile uses the word “like” or “as” to make a comparison.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. A metaphor makes a comparison by making a symbolic connection without the words “like” or “as.” Obviously, the Bible does not give off light. But the passage figuratively describes how God’s Word gives guidance in life.
Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This is a figure of speech known as hyperbole — exaggerating a statement for effect. Jesus’ point is that a rich person’s love of money can very easily supercede their love for God, which is idolatry.
The type of literature we’re reading will also help us determine if something is literal or figurative. Poetical writing (the Psalms, for example) will often be figurative. Apocalyptic writing often uses very vivid picture language to make a point. That’s why it is “literal” to take the 144,000 referenced above as “figurative” or a picture of the sum total of all who will be in heaven. The genre of Revelation and the broader context of the book and the Bible as a whole let us know.
Basically, having a decent understanding of the English language, understanding there are different genres of literature in the Bible, and that a literal understanding of the Bible is simply taking the words and meaning of the Bible in the context in which they are given, will enable you to hear what God is saying to you in his Word without all the extra noise of forcing an interpretation into a sentence or paragraph never intended to give that meaning.
Enjoy reading your Bible…don’t be intimidated by it, just be aware and afford the Bible you would the same understanding if you are reading a poem, a piece of history, or a picturesque analogy. The Bible has them all and more.
Apply: Consider one of the parables of Jesus. Notice he says, “The kingdom of heaven is LIKE…” and then goes on to describe it. Read Matthew 18. Describe to someone the meaning of the parable. Most parables have one key point of comparison – what do you think it is in these parables?
PRAYER: Keep us growing in our ability to hear and understand your Word! AMEN.
How do I study my Bible? Context…Context…Context!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 13: Bible Study”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“That’s your own interpretation.”
“This is what God’s Word says!”
How do you know? It’s easy when two people disagree on what the Bible says on a topic or a verse to “agree to disagree” or to cede the point that “it’s a matter of interpretation.” Perhaps you’ve felt this way and been frustrated because you can see another interpretation and don’t know how to know if it’s right or not.
So how can you be certain you are understanding what God is saying in his word and whittle down the “interpretations” to THE interpretation.
Our next two tips give you two key guidelines to do just that.
4. Always pay attention to the context of what you are reading.
Just like the three keys to real estate investing are “location, location, location” the three keys to getting the right interpretation and understanding of a Bible verse is “Context! Context! Context!”
In my class I always use the example of two verses that when taken out of context give a very dark teaching that one could say “comes from the Bible” but is two verses taken out of context and put together when they were never intended to be put together.
Matthew 27:5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Luke 10:37 Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Don’t take words of the Bible out of context! You get bad theology and bad advice! Rather, consider each passage in light of the verses that surround it. Consider the paragraph that it’s in. Consider the book of the Bible that it comes from. As you read ask yourself questions such as, “Who is the speaker in this verse?” “Who is being spoken to?” “What just happened to make the person say this?” “Under what circumstances was this passage written?” “What would these words mean to the people who originally heard them or read them?”
Context helps to whittle down possible interpretations to the right interpretation!
5 Always consider parallel passages and cross references.
Similar to looking at the context of a verse is to look at other verses that deals with that subject. Scripture helps us interpret other portions of Scripture. Here’s an example. Consider the following two passages.
James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
Ephesians 2:8,9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
If someone wanted to find out how we are saved and all that they looked at was James 2:20, they might get the impression that our good works play a part in our salvation. But when you look at the fuller context of James (cf. tip #4 above), you realize he’s addressing a specific problem. People were claiming that if you had faith in Jesus, that gave you a license to sin. When you look at cross references such as Ephesians 2:8,9 — other passages that deal with the relationship between faith and works and salvation — it becomes overwhelmingly clear that our works play no part in our salvation. Allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture further helps to safeguard Bible truths for us.
Obviously this take some time and thought. Much can be gained from a quick read of Scripture…more can be mined when one takes the time to consider the context of the passage and other sections of Scripture that address the topic.
Be patient with yourself. Don’t give up. The more you do it, the easier it will be.
Apply: Try John 3:16. It’s a very familiar passage, “For God so loved the world…etc.” Take time today to read all of John 3. Soak in the context in which Jesus speaks this, to whom he speaks it, why he speaks it. What additional insights to this verse do you gain?
Prayer: Lord thank you for giving us all of Scripture to understand clearly the truths you have given to us to learn, believe, and live by. AMEN.
How do I study my Bible? Getting started…
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 13: Bible Study”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Give a man a fish…he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish…he eats for a lifetime.
Perhaps this can be said of Bible Study in the church. Tell a man what the Bible says…they are spiritually fed for a day. Teach a man to study the Bible and they are spiritually fed for a life time.
So following my own advice, I’d like to invite you to learn and practice studying the Bible. I’d love for you to share what you are observing, applying and learning this week…share if you’d like with pastor@crossandcrowntx.com.
Let me give some tips on studying the Bible. I teach these in our Foundations class to give new people in our church some tools for studying the Bible on their own. Many read the Bible, but fewer put into practice ways to get more out of the time they spend in the Word of God.
So this week, I hope to give you a tip or two to enhance your time with Jesus and his Word!
Today, three tips as you begin a habit of Bible Study:
- Begin every Bible study with prayer.
The writer of Psalm 119 prayed this, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (vs. 18). God’s Word is clear. It contains everything we need to know about how we are saved. The main message of Jesus’ payment for our sins is simple to see. But parts of God’s Word are challenging to our simple, sinful minds. (Even the Apostle Peter was challenged at times. He said this about the Apostle Paul’s writings, “2 Peter 3:16 [Paul’s] letters contain some things that are hard to understand…”) Make the psalmist’s prayer listed above your prayer as well. Begin your time in the Word by asking the Holy Spirit to “open our eyes” so that you might understand and love everything you read. You might be surprised how the Holy Spirit answers the prayer!
- Use one, appropriate translation.
If you have been a follower of Christ for a while, you probably have “your Bible.” You become familiar with the text, memorize the verses, and can remember where somethings are “on the page.” If you don’t have a Bible, find a translation that is easy to read and understand. If you are confused just reading the English, it will be harder to learn what God is saying. Bible apps make engaging in many different translations possible. A Bible that is readable and accurate to the original languages of Greek and Hebrew are important. Some that we use in our circles are: New International Version (1984 or 2011 edition); the English Standard Version (ESV); or the Evangelical Heritage Version.
Having a clear translation ensures you understand what you are reading, just like the Levites did for God’s people:
Nehemiah 8:7,8 The Levites… instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
- Set a specific time each day for study.
Don’t leave Bible study to chance. We know how well we accomplish tasks when we say, “I’ll get to it when I have time.” To ensure you receive blessing from the Word of God each day, set aside a specific time slot in your day for Bible study. This helps insure that you will have time for God to speak into your life every day. A great example of this is Daniel:
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Apply: Which one of these would you like to try this week? Take note of how God blesses you through it!
Prayer: Lord open our eyes to see the wonders of your word. Open our schedules to give us time in your word. Open our hearts to receive the blessings of your Word. AMEN!