How to Study the Bible

1. God’s revelation

God has revealed Himself to us in many different ways. To begin our study, let’s take a look at three primary ways in which God has revealed Himself to us.

a. general revelation

God reveals Himself to all men by nature and conscience.

romans 1:19-20

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

II peter 1:20-21

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

b. special revelation-God’s written record, the Bible

Men were moved by God to write His message perfectly without any mistakes.

psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

c. Christ-the most personal revelation of God

Christ’s life is God’s revelation of His nature and love for us. His life is recorded in God’s Word; specifically the Gospels.

hebrews 1:1-3

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

john 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

d. God’s Word is powerfully effective

As we can see from John 1:1, the Bible, called the Word, is Jesus! As such, God’s Word is powerfully effective for our lives, providing learning examples for us from history, laws and precepts to live by, and God-given answers to human problems. Consider what God tells us about the Bible:

hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

II timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Let’s now take a closer look at how our Bible came to us and how it is organized.

2. God’s inspired Word

When we say that the Bible is inspired, we are referring to the fact that it is God’s message to us, conveyed by God to chosen men, who wrote His Word down for us. Biblical inspiration is more than an artist’s or author’s muse, it is the idea that God is the author behind every human writer in the Bible. Scripture is truly the words of God.

romans 2:27-3:2

Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

II timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

Paul’s writing is equated with Scripture.

II peter 3:14-16

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters.

II peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Apostles and Prophets are whom God revealed himself by.

I john 4:6

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

ephesians 2:17-3:5

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

a. methods of inspiration

How did God inspire the writers of the Bible to pen the Word of God? Consider this passage from II Peter:

II peter 1:20-21

...knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways in which God inspired Scripture.

God is quoted by writer

In many cases, Scripture is the result of direct, spoken quotations from God. Examples of this kind of inspiration are included in the following examples:

genesis 1-2 (vs. 3, 6, 9 shown as examples below)

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so.

jeremiah 30:1-2

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.

writers were eyewitnesses

In many other cases, historical events were witnessed and recorded, with guidance by God, so that they could be accurately communicated to us.

john 21:24

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

writers recorded eyewitness accounts from others

In other cases, writers recorded the direct eyewitness accounts of other people, again guided by God, so that all historical events could be recorded accurately.

luke 1:1-4

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

writer records from the wisdom given by God

In still other cases, Biblical writers simply wrote down their God-gained wisdom in their own words, still being guided by God to ensure that the proper messages were being recorded for us.

II peter 3:15

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him

3. how the Bible is organized

Have you ever wondered why the books of the Bible are placed in the sequence they’re in? The Bible is organized by themes rather than by chronological order. Let’s take a look at how God’s Word has been organized for us:

a. old testament

books of the law

genesis

exodus

leviticus

numbers

deuteronomy

Also called the Torah by Jews or called the Pentateuch, a Greek transliteration meaning 5 books or scrolls, these books contain the history of creation, the beginning of humanity, the beginning of sin, and more. It also has the beginning of the Jewish nation as well as the Jewish laws and regulations including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5).

books of history

joshua

judges

ruth

I and II samuel

I and II kings

I and II chronicles

ezra

nehemiah

esther

These books record the history of Israel. This history contains accounts we should study to learn from their example.

books of poetry

job

psalms

Poetry-The human experience in view of God written in poetic form.

books of wisdom

proverbs

ecclesiastes

song of solomon

Wisdom-counsel, philosophy, reason

books of prophecy, major prophets

isaiah

jeremiah

lamentations

ezekiel

daniel

God’s messages to the world through Israel written during the time covered in the books of History.

books of prophecy, minor prophets

hosea

joel

amos

obadiah

jonah

micah

nahum

habbakuk

zephaniah

haggai

zechariah

malachi

“Major” and “minor” is not a reference to a book’s importance, but rather the prophets are broken down into major and minor because of the length of books.

b. new testament

the gospels

matthew

mark

luke

john

These four books each tell the story of Christ’s incarnate life, each from a slightly different perspective.

acts of the apostles

acts

This book is considered a bridge book between the gospels and the epistles. Acts covers the history of the early church and helps to establish the historical context of the epistles.

letters written by paul to the primary churches in world cities

romans

I and II corinthians

galatians

ephesians

phillippians

colossians

I and II thessalonians

These letters, called “epistles,” are letters written to different local churches and to individual believers. They are grouped into two classifications. This first grouping is the Pauline epistles, meaning, the Apostle Paul wrote these books. The next grouping are also Pauling epistles that were written for the personal instruction of individuals.

letters written by Paul to individuals for personal instruction

I and II timothy

titus

philemon

Next, we have a grouping of additional epistles (letters) written by different authors:

general epistles

hebrews (written to the Jewish believers)

james (written by James, the half-brother of Jesus)

I and II peter (written by the Apostle Peter)

I, II, III john (written by the Apostle John)

jude (written by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus)

Finally, we have Revelation, the last book of the Bible.

revelation of God

revelation

This book shows God’s foreshadowing of the end times and final warnings. This final book of the Bible was written by the Apostle John.

4. truth is defined by Scripture

Truth is from Scripture alone-Anything that may seem true, whether from science, experience, history, etc… is subject to God’s Word.

john 17:17

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

II peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

deuteronomy 17:18-19

deuteronomy 32:47

For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

james 1:21-25

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

II timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Be in the Word daily; it is the key to all life!

5. Bible study tools

There are many ways in which you can study the Bible. We will look at some of the available tools in this section, but to start us off, let’s begin with the Bible itself! There is, after all, no greater resource available to us!

a. the Bible itself

ecclesiastes 12:11-12

“The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by One Shepherd. My son, beware of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”

Studying the Scriptures is not too hard for you. Though once we were not given the ability in Christ we now have the ability to understand the Scriptures.

deuteronomy 29:4

But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.

deuteronomy 30:11-16

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

I corinthians 2:12-16

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

But remember we need to be a workman so that after we have constantly used the Word and practiced it we are familiar enough with it to distinguish good from evil wherever we go. That is the mark of maturity.

II timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

b. processed food vs. whole food nutrition

While processed food is tasty and easy, it doesn’t contain the same nutrition or the same participation that your own hands can make.

Put some holy sweat into your Bible study instead of prepackaged studies. If all you are reading is other people’s thoughts on Scripture rather than digging in yourself into the Bible, you will be missing out. Take the time to read and study for yourself. Then you will be spiritually healthier and participating in God’s work in you.

Be encouraged by other’s thoughts, but do not make processed Scripture your only source of food for your spiritual diet.

psalm 119:103

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

c. multiple translations

Scripture is like a well cut jewel looking at it from various angles of wordings can stimulate your thinking and reveal various aspects of God’s Word.

proverbs 3:15

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

proverbs 8:10-11

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Having multiple translations of the Bible can be helpful and enlightening as you study the Scriptures.

suggested translations

ESV (English Standard Version)

NIV (New International Version)

NAS (New American Standard)

HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

NKJ (New King James)

KJV (King James Version-written in 1611)

d. cross reference Bibles

The Bible best explains itself to the soul. Having a cross reference Bible and merely looking up what others have connected can help you understand more.

I john 5:9

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

suggested cross reference Bible:

Thompson Chain Bible

e. thesaurus and dictionary

Sometimes while searching the Bible we can’t think of words or know their meaning. Look them up. Sometimes the best cross reference comes from a similar word that you would find in a Thesaurus. Sometimes understanding comes from just knowing what meanings a word contains.

f. concordance

Find words in particular verses in the Bible. Always read the context! This means read the verses before and after to make sure you understand the verse you are studying.

g. topical studies/Bibles or what’s going on in my heart now

Look up certain topics and many cross references regarding a particular subject. Do you want to know what the Bible has to say about joy? Look up verses that have the word “joy” in it and study the verses surrounding it to get a better idea on what the Bible has to say about joy.

These are limited in their scope as God’s Word is an infinite tapestry of interconnected verses. No book, but the Scriptures, has the whole truth about any given topic.

h. action Bible and picture Bible

This is a comic/graphic novel version of the Bible. This is a good tool for early readers, tweens, and new believers to gain an overview about the characters and stories of the Bible.

This is a helpful tool, but it’s not good for details, in-depth study or precise understanding. Milk isn’t bad as long as it’s part of the process of growing up, not staying on a liquid diet.

hebrews 5:11-12

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.

i. journaling Bibles

This type of Bible has wide margins for writing notes. This is not for journaling your random thoughts or diary, but writing your cross references and thoughts about your understanding of the passage. This can add to your learning as you go over it again and again over the years

proverbs 1:5

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

j. journals to copy the Bible

Seriously, try writing out passages of Scripture. It may bless you more than you can imagine.

k. study Bibles

acts 7:11

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Study Bibles are helpful for direction on topics, key words and getting a feel for how others study the Scriptures. Beware though as the notes are not always correct. For example, some notes in some Bibles tend to downplay the miraculous nature of different stories. Take what you read in the notes with a grain of salt.

l. commentaries

Be sure their ideas are backed with Scripture. Scriptural proof is paramount. Cross References are more helpful than man’s own thoughts anyway.

The only writer you can begin to trust is a dead one (man is fickle); just because someone wrote something good doesn’t mean all they write is.

Beware of trusting what man says instead of what God actually says.

matthew 15:9

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

What it actually means vs. what one thinks it means is something to be alert for. Beware of any strong conclusions without Scriptural proof.

luke 10:26

He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

m. books about the Bible

Study books about the Bible can help to stimulate thinking about the Scriptures, but beware of false teaching and bad company in those books.

hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

I corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

II peter 2:1

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

n. various references

Bible Dictionaries, Historical References, Maps, Bible Encyclopedias, are all helpful tools, but remember, what’s written in the Word is most important. Extra information is just that. Don’t consider it special revelation if it’s not actually in the Bible. God wrote what we actually needed!

deuteronomy 29:29

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

I corinthians 4:6

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

II john 9

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

ecclesiastes 12:12

My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

o. Bible work books

These are great for thinking, but beware of the primrose path. Questions are always leading somewhere. So be wary of being misled.

colossians 2:2-8

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

p. computer programs and apps

Olive Tree, Wordsearch, Logos, etc…

These are great resources, and having a Bible app available on your smartphone or tablet can be useful when you need access to God’s Word when you are out and about.

q. other resources

CBD.com, Apple App Store, Android App Stores, Wordsearchbible.com

6. gaining a working knowledge of the Bible

a. why was the Bible written?

As we dive into gaining a working knowledge of the Bible, we should first begin with understanding why the Bible was written in the first place.

for our benefit

The Word was written so that we may believe, and have life in Christ.

john 20:31

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The Word was written so that we would know as we ought to know.

I john 5:13

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

I corinthians 8:1-3

...we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

to warn us

There are many pitfalls for us to avoid. The Bible gives us many warnings in order that we might be spared from trouble.

isaiah 47:10

You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.”

I corinthians 10:11-12

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

psalm 19:11

Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

for wisdom, joy and enlightenment

The Word was written to revive the soul, make us wise, give joy, and enlighten.

psalm 19:7-8

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

for teaching and encouraging

The Word was written to teach, give endurance, encouragement and hope

romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

to thoroughly equip us

The Word thoroughly equips us to serve/please God by teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in righteousness.

II timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

b. how not to handle God’s Word

There is a right way to study the Bible, which means there is a wrong way too, so you must work at understanding it correctly.

II timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

do not distort what is said

Mishandling the Scriptures is akin to putting words into God’s mouth. We must be very careful not to twist the Word of God in order to make it appear to say what it does not say!

II peter 3:16

[Paul] does this in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

jeremiah 8:8

“How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.

don’t doubt that God’s Word has the answer

When you believe God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, you will learn the Word. If you doubt that the Scriptures have the answer, you should not expect to learn as you ought.

psalm 119:66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments

II peter 1:2-4

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

james 1:6-8

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

follow paul’s example and do not go beyond what is written

Similar to twisting Scripture, we should not add to (or go beyond) what Scripture actually says.

I corinthians 4:6

II john 9

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

books about the Bible instead of the Bible?

Beware of spending too much time studying books about the Bible rather than the Bible. That can become like baby food; it is all pre-chewed and not the solid food of the mature.

ecclesiastes 12:11-12

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

hebrews 5:13-14

for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

don’t neglect the Word

if you do not know the Scriptures well you risk being in error; you must become personally familiar with the full scope of the Scriptures. Never stop learning! Do not neglect the Word.

matthew 22:29

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.

proverbs 8:33

Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

proverbs 19:27

Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

c. Scripture is understandable to all believers

not too difficult

The Word is not too difficult for us to obtain what is revealed in it; focus on what is knowable, refuse what is not revealed.

deuteronomy 30:11-18

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

romans 10:6-8

But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

1 timothy 1:3-4

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

the Holy Spirit provides understanding

With the Holy Spirit all believers can powerfully and effectively understand God’s Word.

1 john 2:27

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

romans 15:14

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

isaiah 55:10-11

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

common sense and logic

Words do give a definite message, so straight forward logic should be used to figure it out. Unless a verse is clearly metaphoric, assume a word used in a verse is the normal, logical meaning.

Scripture is to be interpreted, taught and understood plainly, rather than distorting it to our own ends.

2 corinthians 4:2

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Reading, studying and living the Word makes it clear, learnable and teachable

The more we know about Scripture, the more we learn about Scripture. The more we learn about Scripture, the more we know about Scripture.

nehemiah 8:7-8, 12

Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading... And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

ezra 7:10

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

d. basics to studying and understanding God’s Word

The Bible modifies and elaborates itself, never neglect the immediate context or the context of the whole Bible in your study. Do not cherry-pick!

matthew 4:6-7

and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

learn from the history

Learn from the examples of the histories in Scripture of what foolishness to avoid and what wisdom to follow.

I corinthians 10:1-11 (verse 11 shown)

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

isaiah 51:1-3

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

let Scripture interpret Scripture

It is noble to search the Scriptures to check if what you or anyone thinks about a passage agrees with the rest of Scripture.

acts 17:11

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

isaiah 8:19-20

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

I john 4:1-6 (verse 1 shown)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

think, meditate, and pray

Think hard, meditate, pray in your studying and apply what you already know and God will give you insight into His Word. Find a way the makes you personally engage the Scriptures.

II timothy 2:7

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

psalm 119:66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

philippians 3:15-16

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

write out Scriptures with your own hand

Yup, really! Copying down Scripture by hand is an amazingly effective way to learn and remember God’s Word!

deuteronomy 17:18-20

“And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

learn from the people who teach and exemplify God’s Word

We have been given teachers and the more mature as living examples to follow so that we might better understand God’s Word. Heed their Biblical teaching and imitate the model of their Christ-like lives.

ephesians 4:11-16

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

II thessalonians 3:7-10

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

I corinthians 11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

philippians 3:17

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

examine everyday experiences through the eyes of Scripture

Make it a practice to meditate on God’s Word through your everyday experiences: practice observing circumstances, entertainment, other’s lives, even the weather, etc. through the eyes of Scripture.

proverbs 24:30-34

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man

psalm 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

your daily bread...

Make it your habit to be taking in the Word as regularly as your grooming habits or your daily food. The Word is your life!

james 1:21-25

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

2 peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

deuteronomy 32:47

For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.

use music...

Learn Biblically accurate, edifying songs that keep God’s Word and principles in your mind. Listen, sing, remember them and you will be helped in meditating, praying, doing and understanding God’s Word.

colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

ephesians 5:19

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

do what God’s Word says!

To really know and understand God’s Word you have to do what it says; apply what you already know and more will be given to you.

james 1:21-25

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

matthew 25:14-29 (verse 29 shown here)

For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

test and see...

You build confidence and conviction when you taste the Word by truly putting it to use in your everyday decisions. “Test” and see

psalm 34:8

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

psalm 119:140

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

understanding by doing...

Sharing your faith by means of the Gospel and living the Word out for others, whether to witness to unbelievers or to minister to believers, will work in you a true understanding of God’s promises.

philemon 6-7

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

I thessalonians 2:8

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

II corinthians 3:2-3

You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

luke 8:39

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

isaiah 43:10

‘You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

don’t become discouraged...

Don’t be discouraged if you have a hard time studying and fully digesting God’s Word. Even Peter found it difficult at times. The more you practice, the more inclined you will become to understand and apply God’s Word. never quit seeking the Lord in His Word!

hebrews 5:13-14

II peter 3:16

proverbs 2:1-10

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

e. example of studying, understanding and teaching God’s Word from romans 4

Paul gives us a Biblical example of studying and explaining Genesis 15:6:

genesis 15:6

And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

romans 4:3

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Paul makes his point about works vs. faith from Genesis 15:6...

romans 4:1-2, 4-5

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ...Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Paul explains his logic of his interpretation...

romans 4:6-8

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Paul cross references his thinking with other Scripture...

romans 4:9-12

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Paul describes the historical context in reference to more Scripture...

romans 4:13-16

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

Paul further explains the logic of his interpretation:

romans 4:17-25

as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Paul sums logic up with conclusions and more cross-references of Scripture...

hosea 6:3

Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord. As surely as the sun rises He will appear…

7. challenges for stages of growth

starting out

Commit to reading one verse or one chapter or even two chapters a day. Start crawling to get to baby-stepping to get to walking.

digging a bit deeper

Study a specific topic this week i.e. Fear, Love, Forgiveness, Repentance, etc., or study a passage- make notes, mark up the Bible with colors, write cross references, write your thoughts on it.

advancing on

Put into practice what you are learning. What has God convicted you in. Practice it till you get it right (study more if you mess up) then practice it till you can’t get it wrong.

study i, live it, and pass it on

Study the Scriptures and put it into practice into your own life, then summarize your thoughts in your own way then share your experience with someone else.

ezra 7:10

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

philemon 6

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.