7 Minutes
Studying the bible matters because God matters. Studying the bible was
never intended to be easy. And helping someone to learn how to determine
the meaning of scripture is certainly a task that is more than often slow in its
progress. God does not tell us that we must simply read the bible. We must
study it and handle it correctly. Studying the scriptures is hard work. God
wants you to understand what is written. Never pass over a word, or a verse
without searching out what it is saying in the context of the situation. You
may need to read the surrounding verses and chapters to discern the
context. Try to gather the purpose for the writing of the text, and try to
understand the specific issue being addressed.It’s helpful to know who wrote
what is written, to whom it was written, when it was written, and why it was
written. Also, take care to let the text speak for itself. Avoid assigning your
own meanings to words in order to get the interpretation you desire. Find
additional texts to support your understanding. It is always a good move to
talk over your understanding with others who you know study scripture
faithfully. God has given some the gift of teaching to help to correctly
understand and obey scripture. It is always wise to study the bible with other
believers, assisting each other in understanding and applying the truth of
God’s Word. Let the bible explain itself; and respect the efforts of others to
learn also.
Most people will give up too soon when they discover that there is a struggle
for certain in studying the word of God. You will struggle with what you
believe. You will struggle with what you learn. You will struggle with what
others try to share with you. You will struggle with what you think you know.
If you do not think that understanding the word of God is important enough
in your life to bring you to salvation then do not embark upon the road to
learn what the bible teaches. It will prove to be too difficult for you. Time,
much effort, and endurance are necessary. Ask yourself what are the things
in life that are worth your time investment? How will bible study help you now
and in the future? What are some things you’ve learned from bible study in
the past? How has studying the bible changed and transformed your life?
Learning to understand the bible through serious study is not like a fast food
restaurant. If you want answers right now then you don’t want to spiritually
grow in wisdom. There is no shortcut and you don’t finish the test early! Bible
study is a life-long discipline. There will be seasons when you trudge along
with consistency waiting for God to reveal something new that resonates with
your circumstances. In those seasons remember that even a little bit of
understanding and insight into scripture is better than nothing. Then there
will be other times when you are like a person drinking from a waterfall. You
may struggle to keep up with and remember all that you are understanding
and taking in from scripture. Adjust how you take in the heaviness of the truth
and open your ears and your mind, stepping out of the waterfall into the slow
stream of reason and truth. Practice patience and faithfulness.
With every text, every study ask yourself or permit someone else to ask you
what are the little nuggets of wisdom and truth you gained from the study so
far? If God is teaching you one thing from this study, what is it? What is
something that you do not understand before from the bible that you would
like to learn more about? Learn to taste the little bites of truth. It is okay if you
need to go slower in the study or at a different pace, it is OK. If it takes a
week to understand one verse it’s better than reading five chapters and
understanding nothing. Reading, thinking, processing, and reflecting on what
you learn and study takes time. A little at a time will help fill up your hungry
soul. Don’t get discouraged. You are never behind in your understanding.
You are simply allowing God to teach you at a different rhythm.
A true and good bible study should always...always produce more questions
than answers. Questions help you examine what you thought you knew in
the past with what you are now learning as truth. And when you ask a
question listen to hear what the word of God is saying to you. You are
maturing. Review, reflect, and focus on the deeper knowledge,
understanding, and relationship you are coming to with God in Christ.
Bible study is absolutely hard! It requires time, effort, patience, the renewing
of your mind, a heart to learn, and dependence on the Holy Spirit to be your
counselor and guide. There is nothing the enemy would like more than to
hinder your bible study through distraction, discouragement, and deceit.
Remember, you are God’s and is there anything too hard for God?
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