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How To Study the Holy Bible Effectively and With Confidence

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Independent Bible Study Doesn't Have To Be Frustrating

Many people do not know how to study the Bible effectively, so they end up not studying much at all. The Bible is so big, and it's hard to know where to start - many who wish to seek God on a deeper level are simply intimidated by the daunting task of independent study. There is also the problem of interpretation; most church goers don't trust their understanding of the word enough to study on their own outside of Bible study class led by their pastors.

However, it is God's will that we all study the Bible for ourselves. While we do need teachers (Acts 8:30-31, Eph. 4:11-12), we are also responsible for searching the scriptures and being sure of God's will for our lives (John 5:39, Acts 17:11, 2Tim. 2:15)

Learn here how to study the Bible more effectively, giving you the confidence to reference God's word on a consistent, even daily basis.

Looking for topical Bible studies? Visit What-Does-The-Bible-Say-About.info.

Study Guide Contents

  1. Pray Before You Read
  2. Know That There Is No One Correct Method of Study
  3. When You Don't Know Where To Start, Ask a Question
  4. Read With an Open Mind
  5. Know That the Bible Interprets Itself
  6. Study With a Heart Toward God, Not Rebellion
  7. Valuable Bible Study Tools
  8. Search For More Bible Study Tools
  9. About the Author
  10. What Does the Bible Say About? By Minister I.C. Jackson
  11. Christian Centered News - World Net Daily
  12. Find Some Inspiration
  13. Any Questions or Comments?
  14. Other Lenses By I.C. Jackson You Might Enjoy

Pray Before You Read

You may think this is self-explanitory, but it's not. Because we read so much every day, when we pick up our Bibles to read, we do not always stop and take the time to talk to God before we begin.

You should first thank God (Paslm 92:1, 100:4) for all that he has done and for the opportunity to learn of him. Then ask for guidance and blessing in your study efforts.

Know That There Is No One Correct Method of Study

There are different methods of Bible study - topical study, chronological study (chapter by chapter, verse by verse), character study, etc. Despite what some people advise, no one method is correct or even superior. They are all important, and they are all valid (Luke 24:32, Acts 17:2, 2 Tim. 3:16). What makes a good Bible student is the balance in methodology.

It wouldn't be wise to focus on character study as a primary method, just like it wouldn't be very efficient to only study the Bible chronologically and not balance it with topical study. A well-rounded understanding of the Bible comes from well-rounded study habits.

Employing different methods of study also keep you from getting bored. Sometimes, when you don't know exactly what to read, you may pray and find that studying the life or actions of a particular Bible character will help to increase your understanding. Sometimes it helps to read the chapters of the books of the Bible in order, like a story - many of them are stories! Varying study methods keeps your attention high and your scriptural palate fresh.

When You Don't Know Where To Start, Ask a Question

Sometimes when we sit down to study, we have no idea where to start. You can sit the Bible on the table, let it fall open to any random page, and just start reading; however, that's not going to sustain you for very long. When you don't know where to start, simply pray and think on the questions you have for and about God. The Bible is the source for your answers about who God is and what he wants from you, so researching based on your innermost questions is an excellent way to approach study. It will excite and encourage you to find the knowledge you seek and discover how God blesses those who seek him.

My most treasured study tool for Bible research is the Strong's Concordance. It has a topical index, Hebrew and Greek Lexicons, and you can even search for Bible verses by the individual words in them. Find every Bible verse containing the word "compassion" or any other word, just like searching a dictionary!

I highly reccommend this tool for any serious Bible student.
The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Classic Edition

The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Classic Edition

by: James Strong

Amazon Price: $22.42 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Read With an Open Mind

The Bible tells us not to lean to our own understanding concerning the things of God (Prov. 3:5). This is paramount for Bible study, because you will sometimes encounter passages that seem to contradict something else you learned or understood. If you shut yourself off from learning something new because you have a biased view of something old, you will never be able to expand your understanding. What seem to be contradictions or hard places in the word are opportunities for you to gain a greater understanding of what the whole of the Bible is saying.

Usually, when something you read seems to contradict another passage of scripture, it is because your knowledge of the whole of the scriptures is limited, and therefore so is your view. Think of it this way: It would be difficult to write a report on the cultures of the world if all you know is what you have seen in U.S. You may have some insight into other cultures, but it would take an intense study of other cultures, preferrably in foreign countries, to get the most accurate report. If you are only familiar with certain portions and concepts of the Bible, your understanding of how it all fits together will be limited. This is why you have to have an open mind when studying - you may find that there are some huge pieces missing to the puzzle as you currently know it.

Know That the Bible Interprets Itself

The Bible is a book that many people believe is "subject to interpretation", but the fact of the matter is that the Bible interprets itself. That is the only way one could ever know if a Biblical teaching was truly in the vein of what the Bible actually means (as opposed to someone taking one or two verses out of context).

There are two scriptural standards by which the Bible interprets itself:

1) By two or three witnesses let every word be established - (Matt. 18:16, 2Cor. 13:1 - See also Deut. 17:6, 19:15, 1Tim. 5:19, and Heb. 10:28) - This is a Biblical principle used in both the Old and New Testaments to discern between falsehood and truth. In matters of Biblical translation, the Bible is it's own witness, testifying at least two or three times (often much more) of standards and principles that can truly be called "Biblical". The Bible supports itself in sound doctrine, and therefore interprets itself.

2) Precept must be upon precept, line upon line (Isa. 28:10, 2Pet. 3:16) - This is how you are able to prove or disprove even the craftiest of teachings; those that are strung together with two or three scriptures which, when together and out of context, appear to be sound doctrine. If you have two or three witnesses saying one thing and someone else has two or three witnesses that seem to say another, then you begin to build upon the precepts of the Bible, or in other words, you see how the teachings "stack up" in reference to the rest of the Bible.

For example, one could pull a few scriptures together and claim that all saints should be materially wealthy. However, if you stack that teaching up against established Bible truths and principles, that argument will not hold its weight, proving that the foundational scriptures were taken out of context. Common sense would actually tell you that such a teaching cannot practically be true, but a well-rounded understanding of the whole Bible proves it scripturally.

Study With a Heart Toward God, Not Rebellion

One thing that Bible study will not do is convince you that God exists; the Bible is written to people who already believe in God and who are looking to know him and his ways. All human beings, whether they deny him or not, instinctively know that God exists (John 1:1-9, Romans 1:20-22), and when studying the Bible, it is your faith in God's existence and his willingness to help you that will lead you to the truth (Luke 12:32, Heb. 11:6). God's word will indeed confirm his existence and his character, but it will not prove it to someone who is rebelling against him in their hearts.

Valuable Bible Study Tools

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The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Classic Edition by James Strong

The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Classic Edition by James Strong

There simply is not a better comprehensive Bible c more...1 point

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The King James Bible (with book and chapter navigation) by Various

The King James Bible (with book and chapter navigation) by Various

View full size screen shot images of the first pages more...1 point

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Holy Bible, Giant Print Presentation Edition: King James Version

Holy Bible, Giant Print Presentation Edition: King James Version

It's great to have plenty of choices when a Bible that's more...0 points

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Make Money Taking Surveys

Make Money Taking Surveys

Discover How to Make as Much Money as You Want, Just more...0 points

Search For More Bible Study Tools

About the Author

I.C. Jackson is a lifelong Bible student and minister in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

For more information on the ministries I.C. Jackson is affiliated with, visit www.clearwaychurch.org

What Does the Bible Say About? By Minister I.C. Jackson

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Any Questions or Comments?

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  • Reply
    GrandMemories Aug 26, 2011 @ 9:15 am | delete
    The Bible interprets itself? Oh my goodness! Read this please: http://www.squidoo.com/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-bible
  • Reply
    sujaysen Jun 16, 2011 @ 12:49 pm | delete
    Good suggestion.
  • Reply
    James43302 Oct 30, 2010 @ 11:22 am | delete
    I do study the Bible everday but I think the best way is to join a local church and regularly attend all the services (Sun. morning and evening, and Wed. evenings. The Bible study not only comes from the preacher but in the followship as well. You learn lot from fellow brothers and sisters n Christ. Thank you for sharing.
  • Reply
    James43302 Oct 30, 2010 @ 11:20 am | delete
    I do study the Bible everday but I think the best way is to join a local church and regularly attend all the services (Sun. morning and evening, and Wed. evenings. The Bible study not only comes from the preacher but in the followship as well. You learn lot from fellow brothers and sisters n Christ. Thank you for sharing.
  • Reply
    StephenC Oct 9, 2010 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Terrific lens and very inspiring. I have read the Bible through many times, but sadly, not recently. I need to get back up. Love the Life Jacket poster!
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