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| HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE By Patrick Stevenson | ||
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I never ceased to be amazed at the number of people who do not know how to study the Bible. Yet how many churches teach the methods of Bible study? Many, many times we are instructed to “get in the Word”, “study to show yourself approved”, etc. However, rarely does the “how to” follow the “should do”. If we do not know how to study the Bible, how will we know if what we are being told is correct? There were certain people in Bible times that knew the value of checking up on the preachers, making sure they were speaking truth. These people were called the people of Berea. Acts 17:10-12 “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.” BEREA A city of Macedon, whither Paul withdrew, with Silas and Timothy, at his first visit to Europe, from Jewish persecution at Thessalonica, whence also, when the persecutors followed him from Thessalonica, he retired seawards to proceed to Athens (Acts 17:10-15). The Berean Jews were "more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word (preached) with all readiness of mind (not in a cavilling, critical spirit), and (yet not in a credulous spirit, for they) searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so." (See Isaiah 8:20; John 5:39; Gal 1:8-9.) The result was necessarily, "many believed; also of honourable women, which were Greeks, and of men not a few." (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998 by Biblesoft) EXERCISE 1 Without looking at your Bible list all the places you can remember which the Apostle Paul visited. The Bible tells us quite clearly we must always be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. 1 Peter 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” EXERCISE 2 Write down what you think the meanings are of the following Bible words: Sanctify Defence Hope Meekness Fear GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THE BIBLE There is a word in theology (theology means the science of God) called “apologetics”. This means to defend the gospel (Good News). The gospel does not need defending in a passive “sorry-to-believe-these-incredible-things” kind of way. That is not what apologetics means. It is an active defence that is required, which leaves the hearer without an excuse not to believe. If we do not know what the Bible teaches how can we be pass on the good news? EXERCISE 3. How many people in the Bible can you think of who ministered in an evangelical way. That is, brought people to the Lord by their preaching or witnessing. An old illustration will serve us very well as we approach ways of studying the Bible. 1.Hearing “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17) It is important to hear the Word of God properly expounded to help us in our study. One of the best types of teaching to listen to is expository teaching. This is when the teacher takes a Bible passage and, verse by verse, explains the scriptures. He or she will carefully put the passage in its context, explain ancient customs, and point out other parts of scripture that connect to the passage and help to explain it. 2.Reading Different translations are available to help us in understanding what the Bible message is. While it is better to read any translation than none at all, some are better than others. The better translations are: King James Version (also known as the Authorised Version). New King James Version (a more modern version of the King James Version). The Amplified Bible (gives accurate meanings to words which have more than one meaning). Other books are helpful in understanding the Bible but be careful not to read other books to the exclusion of the Bible. Many have fallen into the trap of reading more about the Bible than the Bible itself. It simply means you know more about the authors of the other books than you do about the Author of THE Book, the Bible.
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