Practical Suggestions for Bible Study

Introduction:

A.        One of the purposes of our coming together is to encourage each other. Hebrews 10:25,24.

B.        I want to encourage all of us to study the Bible.

C.        Starting next month, the second Sunday night, we will study a book of the Bible each month, starting with Genesis.

D.        I hope this will be a congregational activity.

I.          WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

A.        To understand the will of God. Ephesians 5:17, Ephesians 3;4

1.         Ask three questions:

a.         Who said it?

b.         To whom was it spoken?

c.         What was said?

2.         Woman in hospital, reading her Bible, asked her doctor how she was doing.  He told her to read Hebrews 13:8.  She reversed the reference and read Hebrews 8:13.

B.        To believe in God and the gospel. Romans 10:13-17

C.        In view of obeying God.

1.         To be a Christian. John 6:44,45; Acts 16:30-33

2.         To continue to obey. James 1:22-25

3.         To have a Bible and not use it is of no account.

a.         United Press carried a report several years ago about some maintenance men at the University of California at Berkeley who had discovered in the mailing room a large stack of pamphlets that had been eaten through with termites.  The pamphlets were entitled Control of Termites.

D.        To grow. I Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18.

1.         This growth should continue as long as we live.

2.         God’s word will continue to challenge us. Isaiah 55:8,9

3.         In the Academy at Athens, where the flower of Greek youth came to study, there was a three years’ course.  In the first year the youths were called, “The Wise men.”  In their second year they were called “Those who loved wisdom”.  But in their third year they were simply called, “The learners.”  The further they proceeded into knowledge the more they realized how little they knew.

E.         To teach.

1.         Our own family. Deuteronomy 6:6,7; Ephesians 6:4

a.         Do your children think:  Adam made bombs?  Peter was a rabbit?  First and Second Samuel were twins?  Pontius Pilate worked for American Airlines?  Time to bring them to Bible class.

2.         Others. I Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6

F.         To stay in a right relationship with Jesus and be saved. John 8:31,32; Acts 20:32

II.        PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.

A.        Read the Bible regularly. Acts 17:11

B.        Listen to the Bible.

1.         CD’s.

a.         $65.00, NKJV Bible.

b.         $19.00, NKJV New Testament.

2.         MP3, cassette, less.

3.         One member here has heard the Bible 30 times in the last five years.

4.         Listen while

a.         Shaving.

b.         Dressing.

c.         Preparing meals, washing dishes.

d.         Traveling.

C.        Memorize certain scriptures. Psalms 119:11; Psalms 1:1,2

D.        Repetition is the key.

1.         Laws of memory:

a.         Impression.

b.         Repetition.

c.         Association.

2.         We need reminding. 2 Peter 1:12,13; 2 Peter 3:1

3.         After reading or hearing something, two weeks later we remember:

a.         2% if we heard it once.

b.         62% if we heard it six times.

c.         Almost all if we heard it 16 times.

4.         We need to keep studying.

a.         How many had something to eat this month, today?

b.         How many plan to eat again today?

c.         Does that mean what you ate yesterday wasn’t any good?

d.         The Bible needs to be read over and over. Matthew 4:4, Job 23:12

E.         Read helpful books and magazines.

F.         Share your suggestions for reading and listening.

1.         How many times you read or listened to Genesis?

2.         What were the circumstances?

3.         Be ready to write this down and share it with us.

III.       PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS.

A.        Why don’t we study as we should?

B.        David Craig asked teens in Centerville, Tennessee.  They said:

1.         No one makes me do it.

a.         School assignments, work, duties around the house have to be completed.

b.         I can go for weeks without touching the Bible and who will know?

c.         Adults can also identify with this.

2.         I can do other things more entertaining.

3.         People are so busy.

C.        Solutions.

1.         Jesus was busy, but he lengthened the day.

a.         Get up earlier. Mark 1:35

b.         Get away from others for a time. Mark 6:46

c.         Stay up later. Luke 6:12

2.         How much time do I need?

a.         It takes 70 hours and 40 minutes to read the Bible at pulpit rate.  It takes 52 hours and 20 minutes to read the Old Testament.  It takes 18 hours and 20 minutes to read the New Testament.

b.         To read it in a year, it would take 12 minutes a day.

3.         How can I find time?

a.         You will have to answer for yourself.

b.         Suggestions:

(1)        To go fishing, hunting, or shopping some distance away, what do you do?

(2)        If a movie or ball game lasts past your bed time, what do you do?

c.         Find time:

(1)        In morning.

(2)        Before going to bed.

(3)        At lunch.

(4)        With family.

Conclusion:

A.        Let us join together in this study.

B.        Let us share how and what we learn.

C.        Let us obey. James 1:22