How To Study The Bible

Many times people are puzzled at what approach to take when studying the Bible. Questions are asked as to what study helps are needed to gain a deeper comprehension of God’s Word. My response to that is this; “The Bible” —extra helps are not the first step solution. Let me offer here my personal advise if you are developing an appetite for the Word. “Your words were found and I ate them and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)

READ THE BIBLE! That’s it! Read it. When we read the Word it will answer the question that is always raised by believers—“What does the Bible say? Reading it solves this problem, but not just casual reading, I’m talking about reading the Bible in order to gain and increase comprehension.

START by reading the Old Testament (39 books) twenty minutes a day, in a year you will have read the entire OT. This is not as hard as you might think—especially if you’re hungry.

NEXT read the New Testament with a greater focus because it should be our major thrust. Paul said in Colossians 1:27; “God willed to make know what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory.” This mystery he is talking about is the Good News the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In order to know the Bible you must know the NT. Isaiah 28:10 says, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”

EXAMPLE to get you underway in the NT. Read 1st John, a small book (5 chapters), it’s a good place to get your hunger cravings met. Read it each day (takes less than 20 minutes) for the next 30 days. What? Yes, 30 days—remember we are reading for comprehension not pleasure or devotion. At day 15 take note cards as you read and write down the major theme of each chapter. Continue for the next 15 days with review of the major themes. When this is done move on to a large book of the NT. I suggest the book of John (21 chapters) divide it up into 3 sections (7 chapters per section). Read each section for 30 days writing down on a note card each chapter’s major theme as outlined above.

Alternating between a small book then to a large book you will have read/studied the New Testament in 2 years and have a vastly improved comprehension of the Book of Life. “ Inch by inch, it’s a cinch” I always say. This is the first and greatest step of Bible study.

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