|
Studying the bible is a natural extension of reading it. Studying the bible will help you to better contain what you have read, and apply it to your life. It's the difference between a first grade book report and a high school or college research report on the same subject. The latter takes more time and effort, and at its conclusion you hopefully understand more about your selected subject than you would have by simply just reading a book about it.
Following are some effective bible study methods.
1. Determine your purpose. Determining the reasons why you want to study the bible will help you to get the most of your study time. Do you want to study it to determine what it says regarding certain themes, for example raising children, getting married or friendship? Do you want to study it for a certain length of time, for example, a year? Do you want to study just the Old Testament, New Testament, or a combination of both? Or do you want to study it to because by merely reading it you are not growing spiritually at the rate you would like to?
2. Set a plan of study. Since bible study takes more time than reading, it's important for you to determine a specific plan of study. Simply assess how long each day or week you want to study the bible. By making this assessment, you will give yourself motivation to stay on track.
Be realistic. If your life is filled to the brim with daily responsibilities that have already inhibited your in-depth bible study, than you may want to develop a weekly study plan. Perhaps one hour a week. By making your timetable as broad as possible, you give yourself more flexibility and, thereby, increase the possibility that you will stick to your plan.
3. Select a version of the bible that you really understand. These days there are many different versions of the bible, including the King James, New King James, New International, Contemporary English, New Living Translation, Living Bible. They differ by the complexity of the English used, and the grade level for which it was translated (like newspapers and magazines, most versions were specifically developed for certain reading levels). One of the oldest versions around today, the King James, utilizes what is commonly called "old English," similar to that used, for example, in Shakespeare classics. So, in this version expect to see thee, thy and thou, rather than our more modern word "you."
Selecting an easy-to-read version will help you to comprehend what you’re reading, which in turn will make it easier for you to stick to your bible study plan. How do you know what's best for you? Read a couple of passages in each. You can do this by stopping at most of the major bookstore chains or a religious bookstore and flipping through various versions. Once you select a version, use that in your study. If you have to purchase a new bible (which some variety stores sell as little as a $1 for some versions), don't throw out your existing one. You may be surprised to learn that once you begin a consistent course of study, you will be able to understand that one as well. Also, if you have to purchase a new bible, you may want to make an investment and purchase a reference bible, these cost a little more (but compact ones can be purchase for as little as $10 - 15).
Once you have completed these steps, you can begin studying. Read scriptures or passages related to your study plan. Stick to your time frame. Try and determine a) what these are saying, and b) what they mean to you today. Writing down your thoughts or questions while you study is a good idea. Later, you can either search the answers yourself, or get help from someone else.
As an additional study aid, you can utilize reference materials. There are many bible study tools that can help you as you study. These include reference bibles, study bibles, dictionaries, concordances and commentaries. At the onset of your bible study routine, you may want to purchase a reference bible first, and then move on to the more in-depth tools once you have determined that indeed bible study is what you want to do and is helpful to you. Many reference and study bibles have small concordances at the back, which at the onset of your bible study are handy. Once you master using a concordance, you may then want to purchase a full concordance.
Finally, you may want to consider enrolling in a bible study course. Bible studies are often offered on a one-time or continuing basis. Some again, are topical (i.e. parenting, faith at work, business ethics), while others are time-based (i.e. offered for specific lengths of times varying from one day, to a month, to six months). Such a course can help you to hone your study skills, and hopefully whet your appetite for continual study and life application.
|
| |
