TOPIC: HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

THEME: TAKING THE BIBLE FROM THE PAGES TO THE HEART

INTRODUCTION

THE PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON IS TO HELP YOU SEE MORE OF THE RICHES OF JESUS THAT JESUS HAS PROVIDED FOR YOU AND TO SHARE WITH YOU, NOT A DOCTRINE ABOUT JESUS, BUT JESUS HIMSELF. STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD IS NO INTELLECTUAL STUDY (THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS OF 1^ST CORINTHIANS TALKS ABOUT THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD)

I CORINTHIANS 1:25
I CORINTHIANS 2:5
I CORINTHIANS 3:19

IN OUR CULTURE WE HAVE DEVELOPED OUR INTELLECT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR CREATIONS (TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTERS, AND CASE STUDIES).

WE HAVE GREAT CENTERS AND SCHOOLS WERE WE CAN GO TO DEVELOP OUR BODIES, AND LARGE UNIVERSITIES WHERE WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MINDS, OUR INTELLECT AND EMOTIONS. THERE IS BIG BUSINESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BODY AND SOUL, BUT THE SPIRIT OF MAN IS OFTEN NEGLECTED. WHEN SOMEONE POINTS OUT THE NEED TO CULTIVATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT, OFTEN THAT PERSON IS SAID TO BE EITHER A FANATIC OR TOO RELIGIOUS.

THE MORE YOU ACTUALLY FEED YOUR SPIRIT, THE MORE YOU WILL WANT TO BE IN CHURCH. THE QUICKER YOU LEARN TO FEED YOURSELF THE BETTER.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO READ. IT IS ALL TOO EASY TO USE COMMENTARIES AND STUDY HELPS IN PLACE OF ACTUALLY READING THE BIBLE. IT IS EASIER TO READ ABOUT THE BIBLE THAN TO READ THE BIBLE ITSELF, JUST LIKE IT IS EASIER TO TALK ABOUT GOD THAN TO TALK TO GOD.

TAKE NOTES IN YOUR BIBLE AND UNDERLINE (HIGHLIGHT) SCRIPTURES THAT SPEAK TO YOU. THIS WAY YOU WILL BE MAKING YOUR ON COMMENTARY. IT WILL BRING THE WORD OF GOD CLOSER TO YOU.

THE BIBLE IS YOUR ROAD MAP. YOU NEED TO USE IT DAILY. YOUR BIBLE CONTAINS THE FOOD YOUR SPIRIT NEEDS TO FEED ON TO CAUSE IT TO GROW. NOTHING ELSE WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR BIBLE. LISTENING TO THE WORD BEING PREACHED AND TAUGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME FOR GOD. ONCE YOU HAVE PREPARED A MEAL OF GOD'S WORD, YOU NEED TO EAT IT! (BE LIKE THE COW) SPEND TIME WITH IT. AFTER A WHILE, YOU WILL THINK THAT FEEDING ON THE WORD TAKES TOO LONG AND THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR IT. IN MY EXPERIENCE, I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU DO NOT SPEND THE TIME YOU SHOULD STUDYING AND EATING GOD'S WORD, THEN THE DEVIL WILL COME AND TAKE EVEN MORE OF YOUR TIME AT A LATER DATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU DO NOT FEED ON CERTAIN SCRIPTURES, THEN YOU ARE OPEN FOR AN ATTACK OF THE DEVIL. SATAN KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES.

WHETHER IT IS FINANCES, WORRY, KNOWING WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, OR ANY OTHER AREA OF YOUR LIFE, THE SAME PRINCIPLE HOLDS TRUE. BIBLE STUDY, FEEDING ON GOD'S WORD, THEN APPLYING IT TO YOUR LIFE WILL PUT YOU ON YOUR WAY TO RECEIVING GOD'S SUPPLY OF ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS.

EVERY CHRISTIAN BEGINS HIS NEW LIFE IN CHRIST AS A BABY, FRESH AND NEW AND VULNERABLE. AND, LIKE A BABY, READY TO EAT. NEW CHRISTIANS ARE EAGER TO LEARN AND READY TO GROW. BUT, LIKE NEW BABIES, THEY ARE NOT BORN KNOWING HOW TO FEED THEMSELVES. EVEN IF THEY COULD FEED THEMSELVES, THEY WOULD NOT KNOW WHICH FOODS ARE HEALTHY FOR THEM TO EAT. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHICH FOODS WILL CAUSE THEM TO GROW AND THRIVE AND GIVE THEM ENERGY AND STRENGTH.

(YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT).

PERHAPS THIS EXPLAINS WHY MANY BABY CHRISTIANS, MOST OF THEM HUNGRY FOR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT, BECOME DECEIVED BY CULTS, OR MORE OFTEN, BLOWN ABOUT BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE.(EPH. 4:14)

I AM SURE WE ALL KNOW CHRISTIANS LIKE THIS, ALWAYS FOLLOWING AFTER EVERY NEW DOCTRINE OR SEARCHING FOR SOME NEW TEACHING, THE LATEST AND HOTTEST REVELATION. THEY RUN FROM ONE CHURCH TO THE NEXT, ONE BIBLE STUDY TO HE NEXT, HOPING FINALLY TO GET SET FREE, NOT REALIZING THAT ALL THE WHILE THE ANSWER (THE BIBLE) IS RIGHT ON THE SHELF. UNFORTUNATELY, SINCE THEY DO NOT BECOME ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN GOD'S WORD, MANY END UP CONFUSED, EVEN DROPPING OUT OF CHURCH ENTIRELY. THE SAD PART IS THAT FEW OF THESE BROTHERS OR SISTERS EVER SPENT ANY REAL TIME IN GOD'S WORD, FINDING GOD'S PLAN FOR THEIR LIVES.

PERHAPS ONE REASON WHY SO MANY WHO DESIRE TO STUDY GOD'S WORD DO NOT IS THAT THEY JUST SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. MANY SINCERE BIBLE STUDENTS ARE INTIMIDATED BY ALL THE STUDY TOOLS AVAILABLE, NOT KNOWING WHICH ONES WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THEM, OR EVEN IF THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO USE THEM AT ALL. THE APOSTLE PETER HIMSELF SAID THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD, WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE WREST, AS THEY DO ALSO THE OTHER SCRIPTURES UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION (2 PETER 3:16).

WE STUDY THE BIBLE FOR SPIRITUAL AND MORAL STRENGTH. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW OUR SITUATION TO INTERPRET THE WORD OF GOD, BUT RATHER LET THE WORD OF GOD INTERPRET OUR SITUATION.

IF WE KNOW GOD'S WORD, THEN WE WILL KNOW GOD'S WILL. IF YOU FIND SOMETHING THERE THAT SAYS YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU ARE LIVING, THEN CHANGE IT. THIS IS, TO A GREAT DEGREE, WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS SAYING THROUGH THE APOSTLE PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS, WHEN HE SAID WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING (PHIL 2:12). THIS IS A WORKING OUT FROM THE SPIRIT TO SOUL TO BODY. THEREFORE, GET GOD'S WORD IN YOUR SPIRIT, ALLOW IT TO WORK IN YOU AND BE YOUR SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

THROUGHOUT TIME MEN HAVE SOUGHT TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE. GOD'S WORD IS NOT TO BE UNDERSTOOD WITH THE INTELLECT, BUT RATHER GRASPED BY THE SPIRIT OF MAN.

HOW BLESSED WE ARE: GOD HAS PRESERVED HIS WORD THROUGH AGES OF TIME. MANY DEDICATED CHRISTIANS HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN ORDER THAT WE MAY HAVE THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF GOD'S WORD. WE ARE A BLESSED GENERATION. BIBLES ARE PLENTEOUS, EVEN IN MANY OF THE PREVIOUSLY UNREACHABLE COMMUNIST COUNTRIES. PAST GENERATIONS HAVE YEARNED AND PRAYED FOR THE BLESSING WE OFTEN TAKE SO LIGHTLY.

THE STUDY OF GOD'S WORD IS A PRIVILEGE, GIVEN BY GOD HIMSELF. BUT OFTEN WE ARE TO CONTENT TO LET SOMEONE ELSE, OUR PASTOR OR BIBLE TEACHER FOR EXAMPLE, DO ALL THE STUDYING FOR US. WE WILL SETTLE FOR A 30 MINUTE SERMON, AND ONE LESSON A WEEK AS THE MAIN SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.

YET THE BIBLE IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK A CHRISTIAN CAN OWN. IT IS HIS WORD AGAINST THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY.

AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD (EPH. 6:17). YES, THE WORD IS OUR SWORD, BUT A SWORD IS NO GOOD TO A SOLDIER IF HE DOES TAKE IT OUT AND USE IT. EVEN MORE THAN THAT, IT IS NOT ENOUGH ONLY TO USE IT BUT TO WIN HIS BATTLE HE MUST KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

KNOWING HOW TO USE GOD'S WORD IS VITAL TO OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. NOT ONLY IS GOD'S WORD OUR SWORD AGAINST THE ENEMY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL AREAS OF OUR LIFE. IT IS OUR ENCOURAGEMENT, OUR ENLIGHTENMENT, AND OUR STRENGTH. ITS WORDS FILL US WITH PEACE, WITH COURAGE, AND GIVE US KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE (HOSEA 4:6)

1. HARD WORK

BIBLE STUDY, FIRST OF ALL, IS NOT THE PAIN AND TORTURE THAT MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE IT TO BE. ALTHOUGH IT TAKES A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORK AND DISCIPLINE, IT WILL BE A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

DISCIPLINE IS A NECESSITY IF WE ARE TO BE SERIOUS STUDENTS OF THE BIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET UP A SCHEDULE TO STUDY AND STICK TO IT. TOO OFTEN WE THINK, "I'VE ALREADY MISSED SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW SO WHAT'S THE USE IN DOING IT NOW? THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE DEVIL WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO THINK. I IMAGINE THAT IF YOU MISSED SEVERAL MEALS IN A ROW THAT YOU WOULD NOT APPLY THIS PRINCIPLE (WE WILL EAT WHEN WE WANT STUDY).

HOW IMPORTANT IS DISCIPLINE:

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. (II TIMOTHY 2:15)

MORE THAN HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE, BIBLE STUDY SHOULD BE A JOY. THERE IS GREAT JOY IN READING AND STUDYING GOD'S WORD, AND GREAT JOY IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD THAT DEVELOPS AS WE SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD.

GOD'S LAWS ARE PERFECT. THEY PROTECT US, MAKE US WISE, AND GIVE US JOY AND LIGHT.(LIVING BIBLE)

JEREMIAH 15:16 TELLS US THAT THERE IS BOTH JOY AND REJOICING FOUND IN OUR HEARTS WHEN WE EAT THE WORD OF GOD. IF YOU WONDER WHERE YOUR JOY IS GONE, BEGIN TO OPEN UP YOUR BIBLE AND LET IT FILL YOU WITH HIS JOY.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF READING THE BIBLE

BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. AND SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER, THAT BRINGETH FORTH HIS FRUIT IN HIS SEASON; HIS LEAF ALSO SHALL NOT WITHER; AND WHATSOEVER HE DOETH WILL PROSPER.

1^ST ' DO NOT WALK IN THE WAYS OF THE UNGODLY
2^ND ' DELIGHT IN GOD'S LAW
3^RD ' MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
4^TH ' THEN WE SHALL BE LIKE TREES PLANTED BY THE RIVER
5^TH ' WHATSOEVER WE DO WE SHALL PROSPER

IN OTHER WORDS DILIGENT BIBLE STUDY WITH A HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT HEART TOWARD GOD WILL CAUSE US TO BECOME LIKE WELL-WATERED TREES, NOT ONLY STRONG BUT FRUITFUL (PRODUCTIVE) AS WELL.

THE WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. - PSALM 119:105

IT IS AS WE STUDY GOD'S WORD DILIGENTLY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO "RIGHTLY DIVIDE" IT. TO "RIGHTLY DIVIDE" IS TO UNDERSTAND OR PRESENT THE WORD RIGHTLY, MAKING "A STRAIGHT PATH" OF UNDERSTANDING FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

THE FATAL FLAW IN MOST PLANS AND METHODS OF WORK IS THAT THEY ARE NOT CARRIED OUT. WE FAIL TO SEE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNWORKABLE, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT WORKED!

A METHOD OF STUDY IS ONLY A GUIDE TO WORK (LIKE A BUDGET).

THE DIFFICULTY IS NOT THE LACK OF TIME. IT IS THE LACK OF COORDINATION IN THE USE OF TIME. IF YOU ARE FAILING TO PLAN, THEN YOU ARE PLANNING TO FAIL. REMEMBER, BIBLE STUDY IS ONE OF THE MOST FRUITFUL RESOLUTIONS THAT A CHRISTIAN CAN MAKE.

THIS CHANGE CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH FAITHFUL, PERSEVERING, DAILY BIBLE STUDY. THIS STUDY MAY NOT BE VERY INTERESTING AT FIRST, BUT YOU WILL SOON BEGIN TO SEE THAT THE MORE TIME YOU SPEND IN GOD'S WORD, THE MORE YOU WILL COME TO LOVE IT AND THE MORE IT WILL ENRICH YOUR LIFE.

BE SURE THAT YOU SET ASIDE A CERTAIN ALLOTTED TIME TO STUDY. YOU CHOOSE THE TIME. DO NOT ALLOW OTHER THINGS TO INTERRUPT YOUR STUDY TIME. IF YOU CANNOT GIVE MORE THAN THIRTY MINUTES A DAY, THEN DEVOTE THAT 30 MINUTES FAITHFULLY EVERY DAY. YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT IN THIRTY MINUTES A DAY IF YOU APPLY YOURSELF. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, LOCK YOURSELF IN WITH GOD ALONE.

BE REALISTIC HERE. SIT DOWN AND FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH TIME YOU SPEND DOING OTHER THINGS, LIKE WATCHING TV, READING THE NEWSPAPER, TALKING ON THE PHONE, GOING TO THE MALL, OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU DO DURING A NORMAL WEEK. THEN ADD UP THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE USED. (DO NOT FORGET TO ADD SLEEPING ND EATING). REMEMBER, EVERYBODY HAS 24 HOURS IN EACH DAY. THIS BREAKS DOWN INTO 1,440 MINUTES.

1. ALWAYS KEEP THE BIBLE AS THE CENTER OF YOUR STUDY

YOU SHOULD USE OTHER BOOKS AS YOU STUDY, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER TO KEEP THE BIBLE AS THE CENTER OF YOUR STUDY. COMMENTARIES ETC' ARE GOOD BUT THEY CAN NEVER REPLACE THE BIBLE ITSELF.

2. MAKE UP IN YOUR MIND TO STUDY GOD'S WORD

A. CASUAL READING WILL NOT DO. SO MANY CHRISTIANS SKIM OVER THE BIBLE HAPHAZARDLY, THINKING THAT THEY ARE STUDYING GOD'S WORD, AND THEN THEY WONDER WHY THEIR "STUDY TIME" IS NOT PRODUCING ANY CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. WE MUST SEEK OUT THOSE TRUTHS, SPEND TIME READING AND PONDERING AND MEDITATING ON THEM. WE MUST CONSIDER THEIR IMPACT ON OUR LIVES, AND PRAYERFULLY HUMBLE OURSELVES TO CHANGE OUR LIVES.

3. BE SYSTEMATIC ABOUT YOUR STUDY

DO NOT JUST TAKE UP SUBJECTS AT RANDOM. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO STUDY AND MAKE A LIST. THEN GO DOWN YOUR LIST AND TAKE UP TOPICS, ONE BY ONE, AND BEGIN A THOROUGH STUDY. THIS WILL HELP YOU TO AVOID STUDYING THE SAME TOPICS OVER AND OVER.

4. MAKE PRAYER AN IMPORTANT PART OF STUDY PREPARATION

AS YOU PREPARE TO STUDY YOU NEED TO ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU WHAT HE HAS FOR YOU TODAY. EVERY TIME YOU OPEN YOUR BIBLE, ASK GOD TO OPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES FOR DISCERNMENT. IF YOU ASK EXPECTING, HE WILL REVEAL HIMSELF TO YOU THROUGH HIS WORD EVERY TIME.

HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHATSOEVER HE SHALL HEAR, THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME. HE SHALL GLORIFY ME: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU. - JOHN 16:13,14

PRAYERS FOR THIS OCCASION IS FOUND IN:

EPHESIANS 1:17-23
EPHESIANS 3:16-21
COLOSSIANS 1:9-14

TECHNIQUES AND TIPS FOR PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY

1. USING COLORED MARKERS

USUALLY WHEN I LOOK AT SOMEONE ELSE'S BIBLE THAT HAS BEEN MARKED UP AND UNDERLINED WITH COLORED MARKERS, I FIND THAT IT LOOKS MUCH LIKE SEVERAL OF MY OWN. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS THAT I BELIEVE WILL HELP YOU TO PUT THESE COLORED MARKERS (HIGHLIGHTERS) TO GOOD USE.

HIGHLIGHT ' MEANINGFUL VERSES OF SCRIPTURE TO YOU

HIGHLIGHT ' TERMS THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND (LOOK THEM UP)

2. WHEN SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE

ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BIBLE STUDY IS, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO STUDY? THE SCRIPTURES ENCOURAGE US TO SEEK GOD EARLY. WE SHOULD ALWAYS PUT GOD FIRST. DO NOT LET SOMEONE ELSE'S SCHEDULE BE WHAT DETERMINE YOURS.

EXAMPLE:
CEDRIC READS EARLY IN THE MORNING
REV. BELLAMY READS IN THE AFTERNOON
REV. DAVIS READ LATE AT NIGHT

SET YOUR SCHEDULE, THEN FOLLOW IT. THEN, AS WE MENTIONED, IF YOU ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DIRECT YOUR STUDY TIME, YOU WILL BE SEEKING THE LORD ACCORDING TO HIS WILL AND PURPOSE.

O GOD, THOU ART MY GOD; EARLY WILL I SEEK THEE: MY SOUL THIRSTETH FOR THEE, MY FLESH LONGETH FOR THEE IN A DRY AND THIRSTY LAND, WHERE NO WATER IS. - PSALM 63:1

WITH MY SOUL I HAVE DESIRED THEE IN THE NIGHT; YEA, WITH MY SPIRIT WITHIN ME WILL I SEEK THEE EARLY: FOR WHEN THY JUDGMENTS ARE IN THE EARTH, THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS. - ISAIAH 26:9

REMEMBER THAT A DAILY STUDY OF GOD'S WORD IS NECESSARY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. UNTIL WE LEARN TO FEED ON THE WORD OF GOD FOR OURSELVES, WE WILL ONLY BE GETTING GOD'S WORD SECOND HAND. WE MUST SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR OURSELVES ON A DAILY BASIS.

THESE WERE MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, IN THAT THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO. - ACTS 17:11

HOW SHOULD I STUDY THE BIBLE

1. REMEMBER TO PRAY FIRST

ALWAYS PRAY BEFORE YOU READ THE BIBLE. THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT AID TO BIBLE STUDY IS PRAYER. CLEAR YOUR MINDS OF ALL THOUGHTS THAT ARE WEIGHING ON YOU AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK TO YOUR HEART AS YOU STUDY. ASK THE LORD TO OPEN THE EYES OF YOUR SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING AND GIVE YOU REVELATION NEEDED FOR DAILY LIVING.

THEN OPENED HE THEIR UNDERSTANDING, THAT THEY MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES. - LUKE 24:45

OPEN THOU MINE EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF THY LAW. - PSALM 119:18

PRAYER WILL HELP YOU TO KEEP WHAT YOU READ IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE. THEN, AFTER YOU HAVE ASKED THE LORD FOR REVELATION AND INSIGHT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO THANK HIM FOR IT.

JAMES 1:5 SAYS THAT IF ANYONE LACKS WISDOM, HE SHOULD ASK THE FATHER AND IT WILL BE GIVEN HIM IF HE ASKS IN FAITH.

1. KEEP A RIGHT ATTITUDE

AS YOU PREPARE TO STUDY GOD'S WORD, REMEMBER TO APPROACH YOUR BIBLE STUDY WITH A HUMBLE HEART AND WILLING ATTITUDE. JESUS SAID: I THANK THEE, O FATHER, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, BECAUSE THOU HAST HID THESE THINGS FROM THE WISE AND PRUDENT, AND HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES (MATT. 11:25) WE MUST STUDY GOD'S WORD WITH A HUMBLE HEART AND WILL TOTALLY SURRENDERED TO HIM, FOR IT IS ONLY THEN THAT WE WILL RECEIVE REVELATION.

DO NOT STUDY THE BIBLE TO FIND A VERSE TO CORROBORATE YOUR OWN VIEW OR IDEAS. RATHER STUDY IT TO FIND OUT WHAT IT REALLY SAYS. IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH, YOU CAN FIND SCRIPTURES THAT CAN BE TWISTED TO MEAN ANYTHING. BE CAREFUL WHEN LOOKING FOR SCRIPTURES TO PROVE SOMETHING. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR MIND AND YOUR HEART OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

2. ALLOW GOD'S WORK TO SPEAK TO YOU PERSONALLY

STUDY THE WORD OF GOD AS IF IT WERE GOD SPEAKING TO YOU PERSONALLY, BECAUSE IT IS. HAVE YOU EVER WISHED THAT GOD WOULD COME DOWN AND SPEAK TO YOU FACE TO FACE, LIKE HE TALKED WITH ABRAHAM? WELL, WE HAVE SOMETHING BETTER THAN ABRAHAM HAD. ONLY ON RARE OCCASIONS DID GOD SPEAK TO ABRAHAM, BUT GOD SPEAKS TO OUR HEARTS EVERY TIME WE OPEN OUR BIBLES. ALLOWING GOD'S WORD TO SPEAK TO US PERSONALLY EACH TIME WE READ IT WILL MAKE THE BIBLE COME ALIVE.

ROMANS 8:16 TELLS US THAT THE SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRITS THAT WE ARE THE SONS OF GOD. THIS MEANS THE LORD IS SPEAKING TO US TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. WE CAN LEARN TO FLOW WITH THE SPIRIT ' TO LISTEN TO HIM EXPLAIN THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR SPIRITS.

3. PRACTICE WHAT YOU LEARN

FINALLY, YOU MUST PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED. JAMES SAYS, BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOU OWN SELVES (JAMES 1:22). WE ARE ONLY DECEIVING OURSELVES IF WE READ AND STUDY GOD'S WORD BUT DO NOT PRACTICE IT. STUDY GOD'S WORD TO FIND OUT HOW TO LIVE PLEASING TO GOD, AND THEN LIVE THAT WAY!




WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT READING THE BIBLE AND STUDYING THE BIBLE IS NOT THE SAME THING. READING IS NOT STUDYING, BUT READING IS VERY IMPORTANT AND HELPFUL.

4. STUDY THE BIBLE ITSELF

TOO OFTEN PEOPLE MAKE THE MISTAKE OF STUDYING ABOUT THE BIBLE AND NOT REALLY STUDYING THE BIBLE AT ALL. THEY MAY USE SOME FINE WORD STUDY BOOKS, AND LOOK THROUGH SOME GOOD COMMENTARIES. BUT THAT IS NOT STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD. ONE MUST ACTUALLY FEED UPON THE WORD OF GOD ITSELF TO GAIN THE NOURISHMENT NEEDED FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

THESE WERE MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, IN THAT THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO. - ACTS 17:11

'1. EXAMINE THE SCRIPTURES

WITH SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS, IT IS BEST TO TAKE THE TIME TO FIND OUT FOR OURSELVES JUST WHAT IT DOES SAY. NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON HUMANITY FOR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT. I COULD EAT AT THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN AND THEN TELL YOU HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS THERE, BUT IF YOU DO NOT GO FOR YOURSELF, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW GOOD THE FOOD REALLY IS.

BUT HE THAT RECEIVED SEED INTO THE GOOD GROUND IS HE THAT HEARETH THE WORD, AND UNDERSTANDETH IT; WHICH ALSO BEARETH FRUIT, AND BRINGETH FORTH, SOME AN HUNDREDFOLD, SOME SIXTY, SOME THIRTY. - MATTHEW 13:23

1. STORE THE WORD IN YOUR HEART

YOUR HEART, LIKE ANY OTHER STOREHOUSE, CAN HOLD A HUGE AMOUNT OF GOD'S WORD. BUT DO NOT THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS FULL LAST WEEK THAT YOU CAN STILL DRAW FROM ITS RESOURCES LIKE YOU DID THEN. YOU HAVE TO REPLENISH THE WORD THAT YOU STORE UP IN YOUR HEART. LEARN TO MEDITATE THE WORD OF GOD, THAT IS TO SPEAK IT OVER AND OVER FOR YOURSELF, TURNING IT OVER IN YOUR MIND AND DWELLING UPON WHAT IT SAYS.

THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE. - PSALM 119:11

JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, IF A MAN LOVE ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM. - JOHN 14:23

I DELIGHT TO DO HIS WILL, O MY GOD: YEA, THY LAW IS WITHIN MY HEART. - PSALM 40:8

1. STUDY THE WHOLE BIBLE

WHEN JESUS EXPLAINED TO HIS DISCIPLES WHO HE WAS, HE USED THE WHOLE WORD OF GOD. A GREAT DEAL OF FALSE TEACHING WOULD BE DONE AWAY WITH IF WE WOULD LOOK AT CERTAIN TEACHINGS FROM THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD.

AND BEGINNING AT MOSES AND ALL THE PROPHETS, HE EXPOUNDED UNTO THEM IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF. - LUKE 24:27

1. STUDY MORE THAN FAVORITE SUBJECTS

WE SOMETIMES HAVE CERTAIN SUBJECTS THAT WE LIKE TO STUDY, AND MAY EVEN SPECIALIZE IN THEM. THEY MAY BE VERY GOOD TOPICS THAT WE CHOOSE TO STUDY, SUCH AS HEALING, PROPHECY, JUDGMENT, AND SO FORTH. BUT BY SPENDING ALL OF OUR TIME ON THESE TOPICS, WE WILL NEGLECT OTHER AREAS THAT ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR A BALANCED SPIRITUAL LIFE. IN ORDER FOR OUR BODIES TO GET ALL THE NUTRITION THEY NEED, WE NEED TO EAT MORE THAN JUST OUR FAVORITE KIND OF FOOD.

IN THE SAME WAY, WE NEED TO NOT BE SO SELECTIVE WITH WHAT WE STUDY FROM GOD'S WORD. JUST AS THERE MUST BE A BALANCE TO OUR EATING HABITS, THERE MUST ALSO BE A BALANCE TO OUR STUDY HABITS. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE CANNO'T FOCUS ON A PARTICULAR SUBJECT FOR STUDY, BUT WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER TO TAKE THE REST OF THE BIBLE INTO ACCOUNT. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO SEE HOW OFTEN A PARTICULAR SUBJECT. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO SEE HOW OFTEN A PARTICULAR SUBJECT WILL SHOW UP IN AN AREA WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT.

2. STUDY THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD

THE BIBLE IS NOT JUST SOME GOOD BOOK THAT TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE; IT IS ALIVE. IT IS ALIVE WITH THE VERY LIFE OF GOD RESIDING IN IT. IN IT ARE ALL THE ANSWERS TO YOUR PROBLEMS. IT IS YOUR OPERATOR'S LICENSE FOR DAILY LIVING. IT IS VALID AND POWERFUL. IT IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SEPARATE SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND TO KNOW THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.

FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWOEDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.