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How can I study the Bible?

Q. Is there one way to study the Bible?
A. No, it's more a attitude then a method.

Q. Can the average man truly understand the Bible, don't you need to go to school for years?
A. The average man can understand the Bible, and no, school isn't a must. In fact Jesus Himself had more dissatisfaction with the "schooled" holy leaders at the time of His teaching, then with anyone else.

    I've known people that ask a question, close their eyes, open the Bible and put their finger down. That's the verse of the day for them. Some only study the New Testament, wrongly thinking that the Old Testament has been assigned to the history bin. Some believe that you must study it in order to how it's laid out. Others only the Gospels.

    All scripture is profitable for study. The whole Bible is fair game, much can be gained from all the books (yes even Numbers, I wouldn't have someone start there, if they never have opened a Bible before, but all books contain useful knowledge).

    If you have never studied, or opened, a Bible before I would suggest the Gospel of John for the average person. The Gospel of Matthew is also a good start. If your not sure about all this Christian stuff and just want a quick overview of the life of Christ, then the Gospel of Mark (it's the shortest). If your history orientated, of a scientific or fact base mind set, then the Gospel of Luke followed by the book of Acts (Luke and Acts were one book at one time. They were written together). Luke was a trained doctor and presents the life of Jesus, and the beginnings of the early Church, more like a written history.

    To get a more complete picture of Jesus, and His life, you need to read all four Gospels. Each repeat some events, but each have information that is only found in themselves. The four Gospels were each written for a different audience. God tailored each book to best resound for the intended readers. But for the Christian all four should be read.

    If your not saved you will miss a lot of meaning, but read them anyway. If after reading the Gospel of John (or the others if you wish) you feel that you want to be saved, come back and read What is Salvation? and follow the link at the end. Or God may just speak to your heart right then and there as your reading. This web site, nor anything/anyone is needed for salvation, you accepting the gift of salvation, free of charge, is all that's required. Ask and you will receive. Knock and the door will open.

    If your not saved God isn't obligated to answer, or even listen, to your prayers. But one prayer God will always answer is the prayer for salvation in the name of His Son, Jesus. It doesn't matter who you are, the life you lived, your color, race, nationality, current faith (or lack of), or sins/crimes you have done. God offers the same salvation to the worst sinner, just as He does to the best of men. Because the "best" of men are no more greater then the worst sinner. We all are equal in His eyes. Just as much loved. The only difference I have found is the people who think they are the worst of the lot, seem to become the greatest of Christians. If you have a lot to be forgiven of, you have a lot to be grateful for, after Salvation.

    If you go to a book store you can find any number of books on how to study the Bible, some with good ideas and tips, some just useless or in error. There isn't so much a system as there is a attitude when you study the Bible. You will get out of it what you are looking for. If all your looking for is just details and facts, that's what you'll get, more then you can possibly remember. If all your looking for is history, you couldn't pick a better book, you'll get history. If you want to discredit Christianity there are more then enough verses that can be taken out of context, and misapplied to suit your desire. The Bible has been, and is still, used for many different reasons. Most of the time not for what it was intended.

    Your attitude, intentions, mind set, and most important if you are saved, will determine what you get out of the Bible.

    Many people go into the Bible with either rumors, misinformation, or preconceived ideas of who God, Jesus, the Bible, or Christians are. They get this from culture, schools, family, and sadly to say from many churches.

    If you desire to know if there is a God, if you desire to know truth, if you wish to know Jesus, and if you desire to be saved, you are on the path that will give you the most out of the Bible.

    That's the "secrete" or "trick" of Bible study. Make sure your saved and pray for truth. Many well meaning faiths, and men, are in error. Sometimes in the attempt to understand or explain passages over the years, error has been passed on. Not everything in the Bible can be understood (but that's very little). We are closer now to understanding it all since we are nearing the end, but even now some can't be fully understood, but those verses still need to work with the rest of the Bible. The Bible must never contradict itself in the proper context.

    Most misunderstanding comes from misapplying verses to the wrong group of people. If it pertains to the Jews, or to the Christian, or to the unsaved, matters greatly on how we understand the Bible. Again none of the Bible can contradict itself. If you keep the groups separate, and apply the Bible to it's self, you'll find it falls into place.

    First and foremost today's church has to get one idea though their collective heads....

    The Church has not replaced the Jews.

    This causes so much misunderstanding, it takes Gods Word to extremes and meanings it never was intended. Why did this happen? Lack of faith, and lack of understanding of the Jews role in the crucifixion of Christ, and in their world in the plan of God. For more understanding of this read Has the Church replaced the Jews?

    My hope would be that no one would need to rely on a web site, man, or church to learn what the Bible (God) has to say for the most part. And it can be done, God intended His Word for everyone, not just a select few. Your salvation is in your own hands, no one is going to be standing there to answer for you in the end. You won't be able to point to something (or someone) and claim it isn't your fault, if you don't make it to heaven, it will be your fault.

    This doesn't mean I feel you should quit your church, stop reading web sites, stop your radio/TV participation, or leave your Bible study. One should fellowship with other Christians and keep in Gods Word whenever you can. A GOOD church, Bible study, etc. can be a great asset to your growth. A good source allows you to capitalize on others study and time, but that is only to supplement your study, not replace it. If you don't know how to study, how will you know if your sources are true and reliable. Millions of people today go to church every weekend, and when they die will be heading straight to hell. Most churches today are poor to bad in their understanding and teaching of the Word. No denomination can claim 100 percent reliability either, some are better then others, but all have bad churches in them. Some denominations themselves have fallen to the point that finding a good church in them is the exception, not the rule. All the members in these dead churches would know it, if they only understood the Bible, and God will hold the members responsible for their actions. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Ho:4:6) , God said it, get that knowledge from the Bible first. Accepting false knowledge is no better then rejecting all knowledge.

    Learn from the law but don't try to keep it for Salvation. The law can teach us much but it can't save. The law will give you a little understanding of Gods way of thinking, but it was meant for Israel. The Christians promises and rewards are fulfilled in heaven, not here on the earth. We are free of the law and live under Grace, again keep the groups separate, don't mix.

    Once again if you know how to understand the Bible you won't fall prey for these wolves in sheep clothing that lead today's flocks. Also if you find a good one (church, Bible study, etc.) hang on to it and support it. A bad church isn't worth the time to enter it, don't give a penny to one. A good one is worth more then you could ever hope to give.

    All books of the Bible should be read when one has the time. Start with the New Testament then move to the Old. Make sure you have a good understanding of Grace and Jesus first (New Testament), then the law and the writings to the Jews will fall in to place.

    My hope in writing this web site is the reader will pick up a understanding of how to look at scripture, and there by study the Bible. I'm not a great (or good) teacher by any reach, but I wish to pass on any insight I've been blessed to obtain. That's why some of the comments get lengthy when the answers are so short and simple.

    Keep reading your Bible! God won't just download His Word into your mind if you have a Bible sitting gathering dust. When God reveals His Word it is mostly done with what you already know. Even if you don't remember what you have read the Holy Spirit many times will bring it up, when needed, to clarify other verses.

    It's like the old game show Concentration, were you turned the blocks to reveal a part of a puzzle. You had to match the blocks to each other to see the puzzle side. You'd try to remembered were the last blocks were, and go back to them as you turned over new ones. So don't feel bad if at first some verses leave you confused. As you read more the Holy Spirit will connect the verses (blocks) together and start to revel His puzzle. Also pray for understanding, many times God will lend a hand if your sincere, and have tried your best.

    All books of the Bible need to be read in time, it's amazing what nuggets are hidden in odd places in the Bible. The more you read, and reread, the more you'll understand, believe me you'll never learn it all.

Lets wrap up;

     People like lists, so here's one to mull over.

Above all never stop reading the Bible for yourself. You can reread the same verse for years, and as you become more mature in your faith, those same verses will gain richer meanings. New truths come to light as you learn more, from the same words you've read tons of times. The Bible is alive, it is a manifestation of God Himself. What you get out of the Bible will increase with the effort you put into it, if that effort is in the search of who God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is, how to obtain Salvation, and for truth.

7 X 70 =Forgiveness Is a example how knowing more then just the verse your studying helps to understand deeper meanings. The more you learn, the more the whole Bible pulls together. Give the Holy Spirit something to work with, keep reading!

 Has the Church replaced Israel? The church hasn't replaced the Jews. To understand the Bible you need to remember this.

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Last modified: 12/15/07

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Proverb:30:4: Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in His fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell?

Proverb:30:5: Every Word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Proverb:30:6: Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Re:22:18: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Re:22:19: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Re:22:20: He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Re:22:21: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

 

 

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