Maintain
an open mind
Maintain
an open mind
In order to obtain the maximum benefit from any study of the Bible the serious student will have to maintain an open mind. Do not enter Bible study with preconceived notions or opinions. In other words avoid any bias that would cloud your study. Ask yourself what did the Bereans do to seek out the truth? Why is it that so many today misunderstand the truth? Do they have a particular motive that fosters this attitude? Use your own common sense. Observe who is speaking and who is being addressed. Moreover, be sure to read all that God has to say on the subject. Many of the misunderstandings that exist today in the religious world are the result of reading selective passage to justify a particular position. If necessary, read a passage over and over again if at first it does not seem clear to you. Remember to read in context and try to understand what is being said. If a particular passage seems difficult, let other, simple passages help explain hard ones.
Respect the
Bible
Any study of the Bible also requires that there be a sincere desire for the truth and a respect for the Bible as the inspired word of God. If one enters Bible study with any doubt that the Bible is the inspired word of God, then there is more of a chance that they will disagree or reject it. The Bible is the inspired word of God. It was written by inspired men and every word written is exactly what God wanted. Some believe that God just gave these men ideas and that they then wrote as they wished. If this is true then we would have a Bible filled with errors because man is not infallible, only God is. Ask yourself, what is the source of scripture? Is the Bible from man or God? If from man then it cannot be infallible and that means that God has left no standard for us to provide guidance and values for our life on this earth. Consequently we are all doomed. If this is true then why did he send His Son to be the propitiation for our sins? On the other hand If the Bible is truly from God then the Bible is infallible because God does not make mistakes. Consequently, we can be assured that it is truly God's revelation to man.
Develop a
procedure for study
A proper Bible study needs to be accomplished in an organized way. The following procedures are those which David Pratte has recommended in his Tract "How to study the Bible"
"The following suggestions are designed to help you start with just a few basic Bible study tools and study a Bible passage or subject for yourself. They are general guidelines that may be abbreviated or modified in some cases, but they should be helpful in learning God's word.
Suppose you have a particular section of Scripture you want to study:a verse, chapter, section, or even a whole book. The following procedure will help you use the principles we have learned.
1. Study the general background of the book of the Bible. Who wrote it? What do you know about the author? To whom was it written, and what do you know about these people? When was it written and under what circumstances? You may learn this information from reading the book itself (see next step) or by using cross-references,concordances, etc.
2. Read the passage in context. You may need to read the
whole book. Understand the theme of the book, and list the main subjects discussed.
3. Study the particular passage section by section. Examine each paragraph, each verse, each phrase, and even each word. Define key words using context, parallel passages, other translations, and dictionaries. Study other passages on the subject (use cross-references and concordance).
Ask yourself questions about what the passage does and does not mean, and consider alternative views. Search for evidence till you can answer your questions, prove what view is correct, and explain the meaning in your own words. Think of examples or illustrations to help explain the passage. Make specific applications to your own life and the lives of others. Write careful notes throughout your study, and save your notes for future reference. Suggested procedure for studying a Bible subject
1. Select and define the topic. Write it as precisely as you can in a few statements or questions. Revise, if necessary, as: you proceed.
2. Jot down everything you think you know about the topic: passages, main points, illustrations, applications, etc.
3. List the important words related to the topic. You will use these to find pertinent passages in the concordance. Be sure to define them as you proceed.
4. List the important passages. Use memory, concordance, cross-references, etc.
5. Study each passage using the methods previousl3, described for passages. Ask questions, draw conclusions, make applications, think of illustrations.
6. Organize the material. Divide your topic logically into major divisions and sub-divisions. Classify each item of information under the appropriate sub-division. If you cannot do this, you probably need to study more to understand the material better. Again, make careful notes at each step. You may want to write a final outline or summary of the material, especially if you intend to teach it to others. Save your notes for future study."
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Page last updated:
March 03, 2003