How to Study the Bible

Studying the Bible is one of the most important things you can do with your time!

Charles Spurgeon- “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

We are about to start digging into the Word of God here at ID church. I want you to dig with me. I’m not the only miner here. I want you to have a role in this.

On Wednesday nights we will be studying the book of

I want you all to read the chapters for each message and glean from the Word yourself! You will have an opportunity to share as well!

Pray- Ask Holy Spirit to teach you, meet you, and speak to you!

I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit while reading the Word!

1 Corinthians 2:13-16 “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Believe that you will receive and understand. Have faith!

Matthew 13:10-11 “And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given.”

Luke 24:45-46 “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,”

Many people never understand the Word because they are trying to understand it with their own understanding!

The main goal is not the reading…but the hearing and the understanding! Change your perspective!

You aren’t reading to read or studying to study. You are doing these things because God wants to speak to you!

Read in order to listen!

John 5:39-40 “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

Don’t use the Bible on your phone or iPad to study.

Distractions! You get a text message or a Facebook notification and you totally forget you were even reading the Word.

Block out as many distractions as possible!

Discipline yourself to study and block off time for it.

If you only study when you want to, you may rarely study.

Try to have the best attitude possible, but sometimes you will need to push through tiredness, “I don’t want to”, or busyness.

Understand that Studying the Bible is different than reading the Bible. Studying the Bible requires time, but will be very rewarding if done correctly!

Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Meditates in Hebrew= Ponder (let ones mind dwell upon), groan, mourn, study, plot (plans made in secret with a desire to carry out), muse, utter/speak, roar.

That is more than just reading!

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

We need to dwell in the Word!

Use multiple translations in order to get a better idea of what is being said.

There are 2 main types of translations.

Word for Word- Tries to convey the closest meaning of each word.

Thought for thought- Tries to get the main idea across.

Both can be helpful, but for a deeper and more meaningful study, use both.

Read through the chapter or section multiple times. At least twice.

The first time you are going to read through the chapter or section completely.

The second time through you are using a spiritual magnifying glass.

Look for any words or ideas that jump out at you.

Look for anything you don’t understand.

Look for anything unusual.

Do research.

Use commentaries or Bible notes (not inspired, but helpful!)

Look up keywords in Hebrew and Greek (Strong’s Concordance App, Bible Hub App)

Ask questions!

The only stupid question is the one you have, but don’t ask!

Ask Holy Spirit first

Ask whoever Holy Spirit may lead you to if you don’t get an answer directly.

Context matters-

Who was it written to?

What is the purpose/idea being conveyed?

When was it written?

Take notes!

Highlight and write in your Bible

Or…have a journal or something on which you can write down your findings.

Post-it notes for verses you want to remember

Text yourself

Bible Journaling.

Sometimes journaling and art can help us memorize.

I think we need another Bible Journaling night with Heather!

Look for repetition.

In the Word, if things are repeated it means it is being emphasized!

Look for the promises!

If you find a promise, write it down and the conditions for receiving the promise.

Maybe have a promise journal!

Personalize your study.

What works for me, might not work for you.

Ask Holy Spirit to show you how you need to study!

Application- I’m big on this one!

How does this apply to me? What do I need to do in order to

What can I learn in this that will help me in my spiritual journey with Jesus?

Always be looking through the lens of application!

Be thankful! Thank God for His Word…for speaking to you…for His promises…for His life that came through the Word and for meeting you in your study!