any tips for studying the Scripture? (Full Version)

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BornAgainDan -> any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 12:30:04 PM)

I was just wondering if there are any things i can do at home to improve my studying of the Scripture. Right now I feel like I'm just reading it and not taking enough away from it.



BerianAardvark -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 1:41:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DLindros

I was just wondering if there are any things i can do at home to improve my studying of the Scripture. Right now I feel like I'm just reading it and not taking enough away from it.


At a minimum do your studies with pen and paper at hand...expect to find stuff worth writing down either for further study later or because it spoke to you in a particular way.

I also like having Bible study software that allows you access to commentaries and Bible dictionaries (as well as greek and Hebrew dictinaries.

The best one I know of (and it is free, except for some of the more modern translations) is e-sword.

It can be found at e-sword.net, the install software and many many resources can be found there.

Tim



GroupW -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 2:03:28 PM)

Tim's got good suggestions, also it pays to be sensitive to the fact that this is a translation from a 2,000 year old set of documents that were written at different times and places. There are cultural issues that can add a tremendous amount of insight into a passage.

Note that I'm not talking about cultural relativism here - that's a "this is now, that was then / it doesn't apply today" type of argument that I'm not comfortable with. It's more that certain words or phrases get used and understanding the background behind those words and phrases can add tremendous color to a passage.

Example: There's an odd reference in 1 Timothy to women being kept safe through childbirth if they continue on in faith, love and propriety. The reference seemingly comes out of nowhere and makes little sense to the 20th century mind, until we realize that the temple of Ephesian Aphrodite was located there. Ephesian Aphrodite is often referred to in the ancient literature as the one in charge of protecting women through childbirth. When you see this in better context, you realize that Paul is telling them that their historical connection to Aphrodite is not their security - their faith and constancy in Christ is where their protection lies.

Just one example how a little historical context can lend a great amount of additional meaning to a text. Decent commentaries can help with this, although the older commentaries aren't generally that good on this topic. It's only recently that scholars have become serious about connecting history to the text and extracting a fuller meaning. Newer commentaries benefit by this change of attitude as well as a growing body of archaeological evidence that many of the older commentaries did not have access to.



BerianAardvark -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 2:31:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: GroupW

Tim's got good suggestions, also it pays to be sensitive to the fact that this is a translation from a 2,000 year old set of documents that were written at different times and places. There are cultural issues that can add a tremendous amount of insight into a passage.

Note that I'm not talking about cultural relativism here - that's a "this is now, that was then / it doesn't apply today" type of argument that I'm not comfortable with. It's more that certain words or phrases get used and understanding the background behind those words and phrases can add tremendous color to a passage.


Yes indeed. It is VERY important to remember that the people of those days were NOT just like us, they had a different culture, different perspective. So it is very important to try to learn what you can about them so that we don't try to turn them into clones of our 21sth century selves.

One very minor example being slavery. Slavery then was NOT the same thing as the form of slavery found in the pre-civil war era of American history. For one thing a slave could buy their freedom, could own property (including other slaves) and even own their business (many of the physicians and tutors/teachers of that era were slaves). Many people voluntarily became slaves in that era, something that would have been unthinkable in antebellum days.

God's word is as relevant today as it was then, but many of the things that seem to so trouble modern people about those in history is that they don't act and react to things the same way as we do, that is because they aren't us.


By the same token, I would suggest a modern translation. The King James was translated in the 1600s, the English Language has changed considerably since then. If you use a translation that you can easily read, you can concentrate on what it says rather than what the unfamiliar words and phrasings mean.


Tim



Lufia -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 9:54:04 PM)

I have begin to read the Bible cover to cover. Should i read it in order from page 1 to the end ? If not can someone give me the order i should read it please. Thanks



musicboss11 -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/24/2008 11:45:17 PM)

DLindros, if you go to your local christian bookstore (or look at an online site like christianbook.com), you can find a LOT of diffrent Bible Studies of various lengths, topics, styles etc. You could find a topic, or book of the Bible that intrests you and use that.



ClintonPI -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 12:06:46 AM)

A couple quick ideas.

1) Read less and spend that extra time meditating on what you've read. Really mull it over to the point where you will remember it weel enough to think about it throughout your day. As said above, a pen and paper are handy to write a breif restatement of what you read because it really forces you to understand what you have read.

2) Get a study Bible. I hear lots of people bash study Bibles and commentaries with "I don't need someone else telling me what the Scriptures say," or such, but hey, what do you think the pastor's doing on Sunday morning? They are written by learned men who have a whole lot more time to study the Bible than I do. One thing you might try is to read the passage, write down your understanding of the passage, then read the study notes to see if you agree, and if not, why not?

There are nother study aids you can get, but with a study Bible you have alot of helps all under one cover. I would suggest the MacArthur Study Bible, the Reformation Study Bible, and the NASB Study Bible. There's an ESV Study Bible coming out in October and I hear it's very good too.



BibleL7 -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 2:57:30 AM)

DLindros

The note taking or journaling helps as well as some commentaries you might ask your pastor for some good ones. The meditation is very helpful as well. And of course the background info, It sometimes helps to have more than one version to see if you might find differences to help, but the important part is to Pray before during and after reading. Also pray as you meditate on Scriptures. One last suggestion, talk to others about the passage you are reading. They may know more they may know less but they may know different or have different questions you did not ask. With most of my friends being Ministers or Pastors for the past several years I have often found myself just talking Scriptures for hours with some of them. It helps give different perspectives on both sides.

Lufia

It is a very good thing to read the Bible cover to cover at least once going page by page. This can help put things into perspective at times. If you are not comfortable in doing that then at least read the Historical books of OT in order. That would be Genesis through Esther. These books give a good background for the others when read in order. Some of the Prophets coincide with the various history books some are contemporaries and the books of the Prophets are not in chronological order. when reading them is good to reference the other passages. Psalms also come in with prophecy at times and helps in understanding. Proverbs is probably the only book in OT that does not interact much with others except to occasionally explain customs, Yet it for the most part does not depend on info from other books also Job and Ecc can be read fairly easily by themselves. All that said I do highly recomend reading it cover to cover.



Lufia -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 9:26:06 AM)

Clinton, i don't like pencil and paper , i know i will not do it. I dont say it is a bad method but i just don't do it, it's too long to do and because of that i know myself: i'll stop reading the Bible. and i will not follow bible lesson also... Sorry i prefer learning at home , with the help of my husband , help from here etc

Thank you bibleL7. I'm happy that you answered me because i value your posts a lot. I like what you write ...

Don't take it personnaly Clinton, i am also thankful for the time you took to answer me.



ta_mosquito -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 10:10:29 AM)

Lufia - I've got a Bible reading plan that puts the Bible in the order things happened - intersperses the Psalms, prophets, etc. into the approximate time they were written in the historical books (for example, Job is in the middle of the Genesis readings), puts the historical books in order, etc.

If you're interested, PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.



Lufia -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 4:47:46 PM)

Hum, i know it looks very stupid but what are the historical books? My email adress is lylou@globetrotter.qc.ca



ta_mosquito -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/25/2008 5:02:04 PM)

The historical books are ones that recount history: Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, etc.

Off to email you the document... [sm=car.gif]



ClintonPI -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/26/2008 4:53:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lufia

Clinton, i don't like pencil and paper , i know i will not do it. I dont say it is a bad method but i just don't do it, it's too long to do and because of that i know myself: i'll stop reading the Bible. and i will not follow bible lesson also... Sorry i prefer learning at home , with the help of my husband , help from here etc

Thank you bibleL7. I'm happy that you answered me because i value your posts a lot. I like what you write ...

Don't take it personnaly Clinton, i am also thankful for the time you took to answer me.


Hi, Lufia:

No, nothing taken personally. I hadn't read your post; I was responding to DLindros' original post. Reading straight through the Bible is a good thing to do, especially if it is your first time.


Thomas Brooks, "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ"

You must meditate and dwell upon what you read;
otherwise your pains and mine will be lost. The more any
man is in the contemplation of truth, the more deep and
firm impression is made upon his heart by truth. Heavenly
meditation brings out the sweetness that is in divine truths.
Not those who get most--but those who keep most, are
richest. So not those who hear most, or read most--but
those who meditate most, are most edified and enriched.

You must also practice and live out what you read. To
read much and practice nothing--is to hunt much and catch
nothing. Ah! what cause have most to sigh, that they have
heard so much, and read so much--and yet done so little!

You must also pray over what you read. Many read much,
and pray little, and therefore get little by all they read. Galen
writes of a fish called Uranoscopos, that has but one eye,
which looks continually up to heaven. When a Christian has
one eye upon his book--the other should be looking up to
heaven for a blessing upon what he reads!



wshepherd -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/27/2008 12:26:43 PM)

You might want to start with asking the text (Bible) some questions:

WHO
WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
WHY
and HOW

Examples of questions to ask would be something like this:

WHO wrote this specific book? WHO was it written to? WHO are the main characters?

WHAT are the main events? WHAT are the main ideas? WHAT are the main teachings?

WHEN was it written? WHEN did this take place? WHEN will this happen? WHEN was it said?

WHERE did this take place? WHERE was this said? WHERE will this happen?

WHY is this written? WHY did this happen? WHY is this reference mentioned?

HOW did this happen? HOW is this truth pictured?

Asking questions like these will help you to OBSERVE what the text says.

Your next step would be INTERPRETATION, in which you check out other resources to help you understand what the text means. These could include things like a good concordance to help you look up passages, good Greek and Hebrew lexicons, good commentaries, good cultural, archaeological and historical studies, and good commentaries, etc.

The final step is APPLICATION, in which you are seeking to figure out how the meaning of a particular passage applies to you. What truths have you discovered that you need to embrace, believe or order your life by? What changes do you have to make in your belief and in your life?

Good studying!



ChristopherJ -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/27/2008 6:26:45 PM)

Dlindros,

Someone else just posted a similar question about a month ago. Click here to see some of the other responses that people posted in answer to this question:

http://forums.preaching.com/how_to_study_the_Bible/m_3496005/mpage_1/tm.htm#3545249



pmilst -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (6/29/2008 3:13:28 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DLindros

I was just wondering if there are any things i can do at home to improve my studying of the Scripture. Right now I feel like I'm just reading it and not taking enough away from it.


The suggestions given are extremely helpful. Here is another--don't approach the Word of God with preconceived ideas as to what it says. Don't read the Bible to try to reinforce a denominational belief or something that your mother or ss teacher said years ago. Remember, that your heart is the place that God chooses to write His wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to write "truth" upon the pages of your heart. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Book, therefore He is its greatest commentator. Rely on His teaching ministry. Commentaries are useful tools in understanding the Scriptures, but remember that commentaries are the opinions of men as to what the Scripture says. Last, remember that all denominational belief can not be right, (someone has to be wrong), study the Word of God seeking to understand what the early New Testament church believed and obeyed. May our God richly bless you as you study. May His wisdom be your wisdom, may His delights be your delights. I pray even now for your strengthening in His Word.



ken1906_4 -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (7/1/2008 5:29:30 PM)

Not sure if this ok, but it has worked for me.
When I study, a particular verse or a particular chapter I try to get the full context. If it's a verse, read the verses leading and the verses trailing. If it's a chapter I will do the same thing. I also make it a point to hit any reference verses. If you have a Life application bible, some of the commentary is very helpful. Another thing you my want to check out is a "Strongs" Concordance to get the Hebrew and greek meanings and translations of things you don't understand. Sometimes it is also helpful to have a book that describe Hebrew customs and traditions.

Don't be afraid to mark up your bible. I got highlighted verses, commentary and notes all over my bible.

** edit **
One more thing and I'm kicking myself for leaving this out because it is very important. Always allow the Holy Spirit in and let Him guide you in your studies.



BerianAardvark -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (7/1/2008 8:22:15 PM)

quote:

Don't be afraid to mark up your bible. I got highlighted verses, commentary and notes all over my bible.


Hint, because the paper that Bibles are printed on is so thin, highlighters "leak" through. I use crayons (the twist type sort of like a mechanical pencil). The cheaper ones actually work better than the crayolas because they are softer.

I also prefer a very fine line mechanical pencil to a pen for the same reason.

Tim



PaulaMarolewski -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (7/3/2008 9:37:05 AM)

Hello! Here are some steps that I have found useful to dig into Scripture, when I have nothing more than the Bible itself in my hand:

Step One: Pick a passage.

Step Two: Read it carefully.

Step Three: Explain the passage in your own words. (Even if you may not understand certain specific verses, paraphrase the general gist of the section.)

Step Four: Ask yourself - What does this passage tell me about God?

Step Five: Ask yourself - What does this passage tell me about man?

Step Six: Ask yourself - How can I apply this to my life? Am I in a similar circumstance? Do I really understand this aspect of God’s nature? What can I learn about myself from this passage?

Step Seven: Pray for increased faith and understanding about God - specifically, about what you have learned about him from the passage. Pray for changes in yourself to become more “a man or woman after God’s own heart” - specifically, in the ways you have learned from this passage.

Here's a quick example: read the story of David and Goliath. If you just read it, you might be able to say that David killed Goliath, the Israelites beat the Philistines, etc. If you study it as above, you might say the following:

How could I re-state this story? David killed Goliath against all odds, with nothing but a stone and a sling and belief that God could do it.

What do I learn about God? God is willing and able to work powerfully (even miraculously) in our lives when we turn to him in faith.

What do I learn about man? David wasn’t a soldier or a hero - he was a kid who was a shepherd who had been faithful in tending his sheep . . . and he became a hero of Israel with a little faith, a stone, and a sling.

How can I apply this to my life? Do I believe that God is willing and able to work powerfully in my life? Do I have the kind of faith David showed? Have I been faithful in “tending the sheep”? (After all, that was where David learned the courage and skill he showed against Goliath.) Do I dream as big as David did? Or do I settle for defeat and mediocrity?

And pray . . . Lord, I praise you for being an all-powerful God. For being a God who takes shepherds and makes them heroes. For being a God who delights in our faith and pours out his power through our lives in response to our faith. Help me to be more like David: to tend the ordinary things in my life faithfully, yet to dream God-sized dreams, and to develop the faith to believe that you will turn those dreams into a grace-filled reality.

Hope this is helpful -

Blessings as you read and study his Word!



wshepherd -> RE: any tips for studying the Scripture? (7/3/2008 11:39:25 AM)

Paula,

I like it! [:)]



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