Hello Sister
@Renee
Glad you asked
This is my suggestion, but the universally accepted methods will follow (link).
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Find the bible right for you to read/comprehend - Pray about it (My common theme throughout this post). You know what your level of reading is. Let that be guide in choosing the one that help you to start out with. You'll be surprised as you study and grow in His word. How you will look for different versions to compare one against the other. There are sites online that will provide you this ability. I believe you've been given one or two already.
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Set time & place aside to do this - Found this under a heading of "Getting away from distractions". "
We must read and get into the Word of God ourselves through prayer, hard work, discipline, concentration, application, and even more prayer!" You'll find that the world will intrude in every which way to prevent you from doing so! Stay strong sister! And a whole lot of praying!
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Pray before doing so - You have the most powerful guide to assist you in the Holy Spirit. He wants to help. Let Him! Pray: peace of mind, guidance, clarity, understanding, "Revelation".
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Start with the Gospels. Reference back to the OT as the need arises to get context of people, place, things, law, etc.
Note: I truly believe if you can understand who you are in Jesus Christ first. Everything else can be seen with a greater clarity. The Gospels do this! Then go back to Genesis.
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Take your time. Don't try to eat it all at once! Trying to consume it all at once is how you get an upset stomach and headaches. Think of it like eating a nice bowel of rich ice cream. Eat it quickly and you'll get what..... :whistle Piece by piece! A little at a time. Enjoy it, Savor it! His Word can be bitter at times to digest, because it will convict you, but so yummy when you gain revelation!!
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Make notes as you go along. You might find highlighting beneficial as well. Found this and thought you might find it useful. Hopefully, this will give you an idea so you can create your own.
Bible Highlighting System
PURPLE - Truths about God; references about God, including pronouns
YELLOW - Truths about Jesus; references about Jesus, including pronouns
BLUE - References to the Holy Spirit
GREEN - Commands to obey; Instructions to follow; what I should do
ORANGE - Sins to avoid; warnings
PINK - Promises to claim; blessings; encouragement
UNDERLINE - Anything else important or that speaks to my heart
- You can start by reading a section or even an entire chapter first straight through. This should give some context as you slowly go back over and start to digest verse by verse this awesome food you have been given!
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' Matthew 4:4
He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you." Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.Ezekiel 3:3
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
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End in prayer. Always giving thanks for His Words to you! I've found myself jumping out of bed in the middle of night and thinking to myself "That's what it means!!!" I will tell you that it is tough getting back to sleep after that :laugh:
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Of cause this really doesn't tell you the different methods of how. Here's a quote that kind of puts studying the Bible into perspective.
Men seem to think that there is some magic power in the book, and that, if they will but open its pages and skim over its words, they will get good out of it. The Bible is good only because of the truth that is in it, and to see this truth demands close attention. R. A. Torrey (1856-1928)
Below is a link that provides you a full coverage of most of the methods of Bible Study. Specifically the information you are looking for is in Part 3 title: CREATIVE BIBLE STUDY
Studies covered are: Topical, Biographical, Theological, Typological, and also includes how to study Poetry, Prophecy.
Creative Bible Study Methods
I hope this will help you out in how you might want to go about beginning/continuing to Study the Word of God. Brother Chad also had a good idea in using devotionals! Use 2 or 3 myself.
As always. If you have any questions or you need to bounce something off someone. You have Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus here at Talk Jesus who will help you as the Holy Spirit moves them to!
God bless and rejoice in this journey of study!
YBIC
C4E
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All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17