1. How Can I Understand The Bible For All Its Worth?
how can i know what the preacher is teaching is what the bible
really say what he says?
Charles e Whisnant
In Lexington Ky while I was not a pastor, I would go to bible study
groups. On was by Dr. Price at a local church
My Scofield Bible back in the 1960's
Very few Christians know how to even approach how to read the Bible with real deep
understanding. They may know what it says, but they may not know why its said it. They
know John 3:16 but don't really know what it means?
"For God so loved the world" How does God love the world? "That He gave is
only begotton Son?" What does that mean? "For whosoever believes" Who
are the whosoever? What does it mean to "believe in Him." "Should not
perish" Perish from what? "But have eternal life?" Eternal Life!
First qualification to understand the bible as it is meant to be
understood is one needs to be a person who has become a believer
in Jesus Christ by the means of salvation.
second: how to approach this matter of understanding the bible?
2. Second: Read it. Just read it. Start with the New Testament. Mark and then John and
then Matthew and Luke. Why? “Martin Luther said that the Bible is the ‘cradle of Christ.’
All biblical history and prophecy ultimately point to Jesus. The book of Mark is quick and
fast-paced, while John focuses on the things Jesus claimed about himself. Mark tells
about what Jesus did, while John tells about what Jesus said. In John are some of the
simplest and clearest passages, such as John 3:16, but also some of the deepest and
most profound passages. It appeals to students and is worthy of study.” Then read the
rest of the N.T. Then you are ready for the O.T.
Third, I think you need to understand that the Bible is "the word of God" written in
human language by human men. That is amazing in the first place. The bible is not just
men writting a book but was directed by God by His Sprit to write the books. While they
wrote in their language and style and form, they were directed and lived in a manner that
God directed them to do, their lives was in direct direction of God.
Fourth: You need to keep in mind that the Bible is not just about literature book. There is
no other book like the Bible that gives the direct blessings of God upon it. Any other
book you can read and lay down and never give it much thought. The Bible is not a
book that you can read and put down and out of mind. The Bible is not to be read to be
entertained by the stories. The Bible is not wrtten to give you a history lesson on the
nation of Israel and the Jews but is historically correct. The Bible is not written to made
you feel better after you read the Psalms but reading the Psalms will give you comfort..
The Bible is not written so you can have knowledge. The Bible is not written primary to
answer all the questions about all things. The Bible is not a science book but is a
scientifically correct. The Bible is a book that gives us the message of Jesus Christ. The
Bible can not be read as a myth or as a fictitious story. The Bible is a book that gives us
the message of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not to be read for merely information, but for
salvation: i.e. eliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be
brought about by faith in Christ. Synonyms: redemption, deliverance, reclamation.
Definition of Science: (1) the intellectual and practical activity encompassing
the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural
world through observation and experiment. (2) a branch of knowledge or study
dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the
operation of general laws: (3 )knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge
gained by systematic study.
Fifth: When you pick up the book, the Bible:(Today we have other avenue in which we
can read the Bible: like on our smart phones, the computer, the Verizon Tablet, the
Kindle Fire, or even on a tape recorder
First you need to realize it's an amazing book. Second, its a book that God of
the universe and creation of all mankind has given to us. Third, its God's account
or story or narrative, that is not fictitious but true about mankind, and mankind's
3. relationship with Himself. Fourth, The Bible is the means whereby we find the
truth about life presently and the future. Fifth, The Bible is about redemption,
salvation, Jesus Christ, Heaven and Hell. Sixth, The Bible is to be believed, what
you read is to be believed as truth.
Sixth: How to approach the reading of the Bible to understanding its meaning as it was
meant to be understood: First: Enter into the Word without preconception: i.e. An
opinion or conception formed in advance of adequate knowledge or experience,
especially a prejudice or bias. i.e. don't read the bible with the idea that you want to find
out if it means what you think it says, or have hear that it says.
Seventh: Only if you become serious about studying the Bible will you come to fuller
understanding. Few in the church ever get serious about studying the Bible, they are just
willing to listen to the preacher preach and they simply believe it without any study
themselves.
When I was in FBC in Kansas we had a class "Fundamentals of the
Christian Faith" which was to be 13 lessons but turned out to be 25 or
more. The idea was to train new believers, as well as old beleivers in the
doctrines of Bible.
How does a serious student of the Bbile look like
4. Read broadly, study deeply. Reading broadly is a good way to get an overview. When
you decide to dip into a section more thoroughly, use an inductive approach to the
passage: let the text speak, and start your study from observation (“What does the text
say?”) to interpretation (“What does it mean?”) to application (“What does it mean for my
life?”) If you’re starting to investigate the Christian faith, you don’t have to come to the
text already convinced of the Bible’s truths, but it helps to be open to what the passage
says, at least allowing it to stand as an authoritative account worthy of investigation.
http://studentsoul.intervarsity.org/start-reading-bible
As you get through the Bible, you’ll be amazed at its riches. As Bob Grahmann put it to
us, “From dizzying heights of grandeur to the depths of despair and back, you’ll emerge
convinced that the Bible is the best library you’ve ever read!”
There are three main steps:
1. Observe - make observations.
In this step you ask yourself: What do I see? +
2. Interpret - draw conclusion on how to interpret the Bible passage. In this step you
ask yourself:
What does it mean? +
3. Apply - apply the meaning(s) to your own life.
In this step you ask yourself: What do I do?
http://www.generationword.com/study.html
Bible Study Aids
Bible commentaries, Bible concordances,