How to Study the Bible

Approach the Bible with an Open Mind

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV

The Bible wasn't created for criticism, but for instruction on how to walk with God. Therefore, when reading the Bible it ought to be understood that it isn't any ordinary book; it is the inspired Word of God. That alone should put us in awe, as the Bible isn't merely a text containing information on how to live life aright with God; it is God's voice speaking to humanity, saying, 'I love you.'

Believe what You Read

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32 NKJV)

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV)

There are things in the Bible that are hard to understand; but our lack of understanding should not keep us from believing what God is telling us through His Word. You may not see the big picture behind what you're looking at in the beginning; but as you grow more and more in your knowledge of Jesus Christ you will discover that His love for you answers every question of doubt. Hence getting to know Jesus begins with trust; and trusting in God ultimately results in gaining understanding.

Pray for Guidance

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13 NKJV)

A lot of people come across Bible verses that don't make sense to them in that they seem to have no application to their own lives. They ask God for guidance, but fail to wait on the LORD for an answer. If we are going to ask God for guidance then we should also ask Him for patience. For God's response won't always be obvious to us. Nevertheless, His answers will always come at the right moment. Therefore, we should pray for discernment so that we will see what God wants to disclose to us in His Word, and understanding to know how to apply it to our lives.

Accept the Bible as God Speaking to You

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." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

Because the Bible is inspired by God we can trust that it contains His thoughts, and see it as God speaking to us directly.

Apply It

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 NKJV)

Replace Your Ideas with God's Plans for You

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NKJV)

By applying the teachings of the Bible to your own life you will discover what it means to walk with God. Moreover as you learn from Him in this way you will foster a deeper appreciation for His instructions and life in general.

Avoid those who speak contrary to the Bible

"Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge."(Proverbs 19:27 NKJV)

Always compare what people say about God with what is written in the Bible. If what they are saying about God does not agree with what He has revealed about Himself in the Bible, then their teaching should be rejected. Jesus said that there would be many false prophets in the latter days, and this is all the more reason why we should be diligent to study the Bible regularly. For the more time that we spend in it the more we will learn about God; and the more we learn about God the easier it will be for us to discern false doctrine.

Take the Bible as Whole

"Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."(Isaiah 28:9-10 NKJV)

People often attempt to build a teaching on one verse alone, while ignoring the context of that passage. How could you know that you have the Truth as it is in Jesus if you are selective about what you are willing to accept as truth? Scripture must be compared with Scripture, and context must always be acknowledged before attempting to explain what a passage means.

Always think about Jesus

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.(John 14:6 NKJV)

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39 NKJV)

You can know the Bible through and through; but having an intellectual assent to the truth is not enough. We need to know Jesus; we need to make a personal connection with Him. In other words, it's not about what you know, but whom you know. There are many who know many things about Jesus; but they don't know Him personally. If you don't know Jesus personally then you are lost. So, when you read the Bible think about Him, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.