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- Apr 25, 2006
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How to study your Bible (1)
'PRESERVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.' PSALM 119:37
There are some key things to remember to get the most out of your Bible:
1) Learn to ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more you'll get out of it. Bombard the text with 'Who? Why? What? Where? When?' As you do, you'll discover things you never knew were in there. It will seem like you've been given a new pair of eyes! Whenever you pick up your Bible, pray, 'Open my eyes so I can see what You show me of Your miracle-wonders' (Psalm 119:18 TM)
2) Write down what you've discovered. It's so much easier to think through stuff and understand more when you're writing down your thoughts and questions. It's not a case of copying out verses but keep a little diary of your thoughts, little nuggets of truth and things worth remembering. Your notebook and your Bible should always be together. If you really want to learn from the Bible take notes or you'll probably forget exactly what you just read.
3) Make your goal to live it out, not just read a story. Bible boffin DL Moody said, 'The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.' James writes: 'Do not merely listen to the word...Do what it says' (James 1:22 NIV). As you read, ask yourself, 'What attitudes do I need to change? What do I need to start or stop doing? What do I need to believe or stop believing? What relationships do I need to work on? What does God want me to do?' Don't read your Bible just to try and find something to impress other people with; find out what it has to say to you.
written by Bob Gass
'PRESERVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.' PSALM 119:37
There are some key things to remember to get the most out of your Bible:
1) Learn to ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more you'll get out of it. Bombard the text with 'Who? Why? What? Where? When?' As you do, you'll discover things you never knew were in there. It will seem like you've been given a new pair of eyes! Whenever you pick up your Bible, pray, 'Open my eyes so I can see what You show me of Your miracle-wonders' (Psalm 119:18 TM)
2) Write down what you've discovered. It's so much easier to think through stuff and understand more when you're writing down your thoughts and questions. It's not a case of copying out verses but keep a little diary of your thoughts, little nuggets of truth and things worth remembering. Your notebook and your Bible should always be together. If you really want to learn from the Bible take notes or you'll probably forget exactly what you just read.
3) Make your goal to live it out, not just read a story. Bible boffin DL Moody said, 'The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.' James writes: 'Do not merely listen to the word...Do what it says' (James 1:22 NIV). As you read, ask yourself, 'What attitudes do I need to change? What do I need to start or stop doing? What do I need to believe or stop believing? What relationships do I need to work on? What does God want me to do?' Don't read your Bible just to try and find something to impress other people with; find out what it has to say to you.
written by Bob Gass
