09.29.09
Getting the most out of your Bible Study
Just like failed New Year’s resolutions, many of us have failed bible reading plans that we can tell about. I, personally-on more than one occasion- have set upon the task of reading the whole bible in a year. I’ll do well for about two months. Then I’ll hear this awesome sermon taken from the book of Genesis and scratch my head saying” I’ve read the book of Genesis, I don’t recall seeing that passage”. The problem with reading plans like that is that there is not much gained from speed-reading the bible other than the fact that you can brag that you’ve read the whole bible. I’m sure many of us have heard that we are not to read the bible like a novel. That is advice worth adhering to. The bible is the word of God. It is alive! { Hebrews 4:12 ” For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” } Its purpose is to provide knowledge and wisdom and to effect change in the reader. {2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”}
As food and water are vital to the sustenance of the body, the Word of God and prayer are vital to the sustenance of the spirit. We should also go into the word of God as a hungry person goes into his first meal of the day…with a hunger that we are determined to satisfy.
So how do we set up a good personal bible study habits?
* Designating some time in your day to pray, read the word and fellowship with God, helps toward establishing effective personal bible study habits.
* Getting a translation of the bible that you can use alongside the King James version, to help comprehend certain passages better.
* Get a “study buddy”. Someone who has a desire for the Word also that you can discuss with and help each other grow.
Let’s get some feedback on this. Please write in with suggestions on how you have set up your personal bible study habits so that you can uplift your brethren in the Lord.
In Christ,
Handmaid at His Feet
Anonymous said,
September 29, 2009 at 12:44 pm
For me, I just open the Bible and read the first thing I see…that has proven to be very unfruitful lately, because I get certain passages that are not so easy to read. I am still searching for a good way to read, and I do think having a “study buddy” is a great idea, currently trying that.
Anonymous said,
September 29, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I believe some people do better at reading their bible alone while some people need a partner or buddy to read the bible with. For me I have always enjoyed reading my bible on my own not until I decided to join a bible study group. Then I realised I actually enjoy other peoples interpretation and watching the Holy Spirit minister to me through different people. What we found interesting is we choose a book in the bible and we take a chapter every time we meet until we are done with the book then we move to another book in the bible. (We are studying 1 corinthians). We start out by singing some praise and worship and someone leads us into prayer, then we have someone read the chapter out loud after which we all discuss. It is always so much fun because when you think you have read a passage and you believe you understand it, you get to hear other people interprete the passage and all you can say is WOW! I never thought of it that way.The Holy spirit tends to misnister something else. Also getting peoples opinion on what you think and their own ideas is also helpful. I believe a bible verse gives you different meanings. I always enjoy sermons that you assume the preacher will speak about a topic because of the lessons and then the sermoner is completely not on the subject you initially had in mind but he is still dissecting the lessons read. Thats the power of the Holy spirit.
Olu said,
September 29, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Amen, I agree with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always tends to give an interpretation that my mind never even thought about. Also, I feel like The Word is so powerful that it always has a different meaning every time I read it. I am beginning to understand why they call it the Living Word. I enjoy going to a very very quiet place, praying to God first, and then reading the word. I have found that very helpful to me. Those two components have been really key for me…prayer & quiet place.
Anonymous said,
September 30, 2009 at 11:06 am
i personally just discovered that the bible is a living thing. it lives in the way it gives direction and the way it inspires. reading it like a novel often fails because it is being read just for reading sake. if one picks a topic and reads up on the topics then there is a lot to be learned. for instance, i have recently started reading about wisdom. and the bible tends to define it, tell u what to do to have it, what u have to do to maintain it and so on. for me i go to the bible when something seems out of place. i use ie an a guide and a sign post so as not to get lost morally, spiritually and sometimes socially. afterall, the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom
Anonymous said,
September 30, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I just go book by book. I pick a book and I just try to study it. Although I dont have someone to study the Bible with, I have found the internet has a number of sites that can help out with different interpretations and explanations.
Anonymous said,
October 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I think if you just pray everytime before you read your Bible, the Spirit of God will guide you and help you understand whatever it is you decide to read.
henry said,
October 6, 2009 at 6:35 am
i always have everlast flow of joy whenever i reads your massage. it teachs me alot of things in my life. thanks very much on your good job. may our everlasting father continue to empower you more and more in Jesus namea amen.