Word Study By Bible Books
Certain words have special significance in certain Bible books. For example, after studying the Gospel of John as a book and by chapters, youll find it instructive and inspiring to trace the words believe and belief. They occur almost 100 times. By reading the book hurriedly and underlining each passage where the words believe and belief occur, youll understand why Bible scholars contend that the purpose of the Gospel of John is expressed by the author in John 20:31.
Build A Basic Knowledge
Women today find themselves pulled in many directions: work, family, ministry, fitness, and other activities all tug at our schedules. The more we are tugged, the more we have to work to guard the time we give to personal study of our Bibles. When we are at last able to sit down to read, we want every precious minute to count. Whether we have fifteen minutes or two hours, we want our efforts to yield the most benefit possible. But how can we make the most of the time we have to read and study?
It can be tempting to want our personal study time to fill our emotional tank for the day. We may rush to find an application point we can act on in whatever time we have. This may mean we limit our time in the word to devotional readingmeditating on a passage and looking for a way to put it to immediate use. Devotional reading is beneficial, but it is not foundational, and its benefit actually increases exponentially as we grow in our foundational understanding of the Bible. So we must be sure to study the Bible with our minds as well as with our hearts.
As you read the Bible devotionally, seek to complement this with time in which you also build a basic knowledge of Scripture. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of that time.
Dedicate A Few Hours Each Week For Bible Study
I encourage you to take personal responsibility to study the Bible. Plan a specific time and place in which to work on these studies. My wife, Vonette, and I begin every day on our knees in prayer together, usually just for five minutes. Then we separate and I study the Word of God on my knees as she studies too. We both want to spend that special time with our wonderful Savior.
If necessary, begin with five minutes a day and add more time as you go. Decide how and where you are going to do it. Most people find that a quiet corner in their home designated for Bible study enables them to draw away on a regular basis. You may find it more productive to work at a desk or table. If you already use the computer for other tasks, you may prefer keeping your files and notes on it. Usually, you will want to study the Bible on your own, working through a particular book of the Bible or examining the life of a Bible character. Other times, God may lead you to study with a friend or join a small-group study.
Before you begin your Bible study, you may want to obtain a few study aids. The following are basic tools: at least two different versions of the Bible one topical study Bible a concordance a Bible dictionary and books, workbooks, and tapes on the topic you chose to study. As you use your Bible study aids, remember that Bible study involves just that studying the Bible! Do not allow yourself to rely so heavily on Bible study aids that God cannot teach you from His Word.
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Milk Chocolate A Close Translation That Is Easily Understandable For Modern Readers
ESV A translation that tries to combine literal translation with being easy to understand in everyday modern English. This translation is common with mainline protestant communities.
NIV A translation that tries to combine literal translation with being easy to understand in everyday modern English. This translation is common with evangelical communities.
HCSB A translation that tries to combine literal translation with being easy to understand in everyday modern English. This translation is common with evangelical communities.
How To Study The Bible For Yourself
PinAre you confident you understand how to study the Bible for yourself?
If not, this Bible study guide is for you!
Heres why: I truly believe, as a Christian woman, you should know how to understand the Bible for yourself.
BUT I also know that not all of us have hours of free time each day to set aside for studying the Word, for browsing the latest study Bible app, or for researching all the various Bible study methods for beginners to find just the right one.
Thats why, today, Im showing you how to study the Bible for beginners so you can truly enjoy studying the Word, without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
You see, growing up the granddaughter of a pastor, I *thought* I knew how to study the Bible for beginners.
After all, I was at church all the time.
I attended Sunday School, youth group, and vacation Bible school. I even spent a lot of time reading Scripture, reading Christian books, and attending Bible studies for beginners.
And yet, it wasnt until I was in my twenties that I realized that much of what I had been taught to believe simply wasnt correct.
You see, while I had known how to read the Bible for years, I realized I wasnt truly studying the Word for myself. I was simply reading Scripture through the lens of what my pastors, Sunday School teachers, and youth leaders told me it meant.
But, unfortunately, they got it wrong.
And it wasnt until I became and adult and started studying the Word for myself that I realized it.
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Why Are There So Many Bible Translations Out There And Which Should I Use
Does that question sound familiar? Yes? Well, Ill break it down for you. There are three major types of bible translations and each serve a different purpose for us as readers. These include the word for word, thought for thought , and paraphrased Bible versions.
- Word for word follows the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts most accurately. These are direct translations. Examples of these include the King James Version, English Standard Version, and the New Revised Standard Version.
- Thought for Thought versions convey scripture in its most understandable wording. Ancient cultural slang, sayings, and expressions are replaced with modern ones that can be easily understood by todays reader. These include the New International Version and the New Living Translation.
- Paraphrased versions are the least accurate to the original text. Authors are given a great amount of freedom in interpretation, so some passages may stray slightly from its original meaning. However, they are very easy to read in modern language. A popular paraphrased Bible translation is The Message translation.
Plan For About 15 Minutes A Day To Read Through The Bible In A Year
One of the most important things a Christian can do to grow in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and be a fruitful witness is to read the Bible through every year. I recommend reading it from cover to cover. For many years I have read the entire Bible during a 12-month period. This has been one of the richest blessings of my life.
John Stott, a great missionary statesman, recommends reading three chapters each day and studying one in depth. With this plan, you will complete the Bible in a year. But take into account that some chapters are much longer than others, so the time you spend each day will vary.
My mentor, the great Bible teacher Henrietta Mears, advocated a simple plan that is as relevant today as it was in her day. Do you want to read the Bible through? she asked. Leave 80 hours for it. Plot out that time. How much time can you give each day? How many days a week? This is a highly practical proposition…We are all busy and must arrange for it.
In your local Christian bookstore, you will find Bible schedules to read through the Bible in one year. The advantage of using these plans is that they are marked by date. Many include daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.As you read, jot down any questions or meaningful passages so that you can return to them at a later time.
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Be A Doer Of The Word
Don’t just study God’s Word for the sake of studying. Be sure to put the Word into practice in your life.
Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
If God speaks to you personally or through life application principles you find in the text, be sure to apply those nuggets to your day-to-day life.
Write Out Verses From The Bible
Level:
Time:
Writing out a verse or several verses makes you slow down and think about the Scripture. It can give you a different perspective on the verse than just reading it alone.
Write it in your own handwriting. It can be on a lined sheet of paper. You can also get creative and write it in a different pattern. You can get colorful if you want to. You can doodle a little bit and draw small pictures if it helps you process the verse.
As you write the verse, ask yourself:
Read the passage out loud several times. Try reading it slowly. Try reading it quickly to get a sense of the structure. Read it again as many times as youd like.
I didnt include journaling as a separate way to study the Bible because that can apply to any of these different ways to study the Bible. But, a journal would be a great place to keep these.
Take the journal or paper you wrote the Scripture on and look at it throughout the day. You can take a photo with your phone and set a reminder during your lunch break to look at it. Think about the verse and how you can apply it to your life.
To take it a step further, you can paraphrase or summarize the verse or passage in your own words. This makes you process and ask what the verse means even further.
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Learning How To Read The Bible Can Be Fun And Enjoyable
PinPinBy the way, if youre truly interested in learning how to study the Bible for beginners, Id love to invite you to check out my brand new book: Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women!
Practical, encouraging, and full of biblical truth, Fall in Love with Gods Word has everything you need to learn how to:
- Overcome 7 common obstacles preventing you from spending time in Scripture
- Discover the personalized Bible-reading routine that works for YOU
- Learn 15 easy ways to make studying the bible for beginners more meaningful and enjoyable
- Use Scripture to conquer sin, false beliefs, and negative thought patterns
- Experience fresh spiritual growth and passion for Gods Word.
Please visit Amazon.com or your local bookstore to learn more and grab your copy of Fall in Love with Gods Word today!
How To Get The Most Out Of Studying The Bible
The Bible is a book unlike any other book. It is, in fact, a whole library of books, all bound together in one volume. These individual books were written by many different authors over an extended period of time. What makes the Bible so unique, though, is that its many human authors were all inspired by its one Divine AuthorGod Himself! The Greek word for inspired means God-breathed. These words that carry Gods breath are words that can change and transform our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all of Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness .
If we want to understand who God is, what His purposes are, and how He has made Himself known to the human race, we cannot afford to ignore the Bible.
Whenever you purchase a complicated gadget it is usually accompanied by a set of instructionsa manufacturers handbook. Without this handbook youll find yourself having to just guess how it works. In a sense, the Bible is the manufacturers handbook for life. The One who created us has plans and purposes for us. If we dont know the content of His manufacturers handbook we wont know what these are or how to live as He intends for us to live.
Here are some things you can do that will help you to get the most out of your biblical study
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Staking Our Lives On The Word Of God
Can you imagine living alone in darkness for six months? During his first Antarctic expedition, Admiral Byrd flew to the South Pole all by himself. He built a small hut to shelter himself from the brutal six-month-long winter night. Blasts of arctic wind and biting, blowing snow buried his small hut every night. Each day, Admiral Byrd shoveled his way to the surface of the snow. When he broke through, the light was so dim he could see only a dozen yards. If he left his hut, he used the stovepipe sticking out of the snow as a reference point to find his way back.
Do you ever feel like you are wandering through darkness in your life? All of us feel that way at times. Circumstances can overwhelm us. Ailing parents, loss of a job, high mortgages, too many bills, family crises, sickness, and other problems can make us wonder how we will ever find our way. The world tells us that we have no reference point to help us solve our difficulties. Definite standards and rules are obsolete and intolerable. The future is unknowable and unchangeable, so we should live it up now.
But as Christians, we do have a reference pointthe Bible. When we stake our lives on its teachings and principles, God gives us guidance on how to live. When we love, trust, and obey Him and His Word, we will enjoy the abundant life He has promised every believer.
Soap Bible Study Method And Other Acronyms
There are so many of these amazing acronyms to help you with your Bible study. The one Ive seen most often is SOAP , but there are dozens of others that you can try. I dont personally use one of these methods right now, so Im not the right person to guide you through them, but this guide is a thorough walk-through of 11 of these methods.
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Find Quality Bible Study Tools
Gods Holy Spirit will give you wisdom and knowledge about what youre studying, but He doesnt do the work for you. God knows doing the work of Bible study is part of how you internalize what you learn.
There are additional tools to consider, but at a minimum, its recommended to have these two resources available as you start your Bible study journey:
A reliable Bible Commentary: A Bible commentary provides input from experts who have studied the history and context surrounding various passages of Scripture that often require further study. Since this is a man-made resource, its true that expert opinions may vary. But with diligent study, youll be able to pick out the patterns and pray for the Holy Spirits guidance as you learn more.
Heres a reliable Commentary to try:
A reliable Bible Concordance:
A Concordance is like an in-depth index to the Bible. It keeps track of where certain names, phrases, and terms were used and lists the verse references for each of them. Concordances come in handy for topical studies, as it helps you find each place in the Bible the topic is addressed.
Try using this concordance:
Additionally, you can find even more free Bible study tools at:
Keys To A Thriving Quiet Time Routine
I used to stumble out of bed, throw open my Bible to a random verse, and call it a day. Yet a thriving Bible study isnt based on reading a quick Scripture passage just to check Bible study off your to do list.
Instead, to have a deep Bible study and fill the voids in your soul with the words of God, you need a quiet time routine to make it happen. And I promise, once you find your rhythm and a routine that works for you, youll meet God with excitement each day.
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Choose What You Will Study
When I first started to study the Bible, I was clueless on where to start. Heres a hint: dont start at the beginning. Instead, I love to start with the Gospels: Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John, which outline and describe the life of Jesus. Its a great way to explore His life, His sacrifice, and what His free gift of grace means to all mankind.
Another great place to start is using a free Bible reading plan. These Bible study guides will help you study a topic and are usually short enough for either a beginner or Bible study veteran to use with ease.
If youd like to receive a free monthly Bible reading plan in your inbox each month, join our Proverbs 31 Scripture Sisterhood. Its an email community for women who long to honor God in everyday life and to live on mission for the glory of God. Join above for instant access to our vault of free Bible reading plans to jump start your quiet time.