Bible Study Methods: Proper Way to Read the Bible

[Chad]

"What is the proper way to study the Bible?"

Determining the meaning of Scripture is one of the most important tasks a believer has in this life. God does not tell us that we must simply read the Bible. We must study it and handle it correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). Studying the Scriptures is hard work. A cursory or brief scanning of Scripture can sometimes yield very wrong conclusions. Therefore, it is crucial to understand several principles for determining the correct meaning of Scripture.

First, the Bible student must pray and ask the Holy Spirit to impart understanding, for that is one of His functions. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). Just as the Holy Spirit guided the apostles in the writing of the New Testament, He also guides us in the understanding of Scripture. Remember, the Bible is God's book, and we need to ask Him what it means. If you are a Christian, the author of Scripture—the Holy Spirit—dwells inside you, and He wants you to understand what He wrote.

Second, we are not to pull a scripture out of the verses that surround it and try to determine the meaning of the verse outside of the context. We should always read the surrounding verses and chapters to discern the context. While all of Scripture comes from God (2 Timothy 3:16;2 Peter 1:21), God used men to write it down. These men had a theme in mind, a purpose for writing, and a specific issue they were addressing. We should read the background of the book of the Bible we are studying to find out who wrote the book, to whom it was written, when it was written, and why it was written. Also, we should take care to let the text speak for itself. Sometimes people will assign their own meanings to words in order to get the interpretation they desire.

Third, we must not attempt to be totally independent in our studying of the Bible. It is arrogant to think that we cannot gain understanding through the lifelong work of others who have studied Scripture. Some people, in error, approach the Bible with the idea that they will depend on the Holy Spirit alone and they will discover all the hidden truths of Scripture. Christ, in the giving of the Holy Spirit, has given people with spiritual gifts to the body of Christ. One of these spiritual gifts is that of teaching (Ephesians 4:11-12;1 Corinthians 12:28). These teachers are given by the Lord to help us to correctly understand and obey Scripture. It is always wise to study the Bible with other believers, assisting each other in understanding and applying the truth of God’s Word.

So, in summary, what is the proper way to study the Bible? First, through prayer and humility, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. Second, we should always study Scripture in its context, recognizing that the Bible explains itself. Third, we should respect the efforts of other Christians, past and present, who have also sought to properly study the Bible. Remember, God is the author of the Bible, and He wants us to understand it.

source Bible Questions Answered

 

[angel in hope]

Chad i would like to say thank you for this..now i know this already...lol..but i found my self checking it out making sure what im doing is correct..it is amen!!!!!!...but i have to say....thank you..very much..God bless ....ya know i find my self actually praying the scripture..tha would be the Holy Spirit .....lol..amen...god bless

 

[will]

So, in summary, what is the proper way to study the Bible? First, through prayer and humility, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. Second, we should always study Scripture in its context, recognizing that the Bible explains itself. Third, we should respect the efforts of other Christians, past and present, who have also sought to properly study the Bible. Remember, God is the author of the Bible, and He wants us to understand it.

Amen!
The sequence is crucial.
A lot of Christians today do it in reverse. Third, Second, and then if they are utterly confused, the First.

Actually if you do the First first, you will then be able to learn and *respect* any genuine teachers in the world.
And as a bonus, filter out false teachings (also warned in the Scriptures). All without getting our head puffed up by "knowledge."

For example, all my adult "Protestant" Christian life, I've been warned not to read books written by Catholic Church fathers. After God knock me off my ego-perch, my pastor introduced me to the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. And my jaw, along with all my false-defense just drop. I read in those volumes nothing but the amazingly clear and ordered thoughts of a man who loves his Lord and whose goal is His Glory.

 

[blackbear4110]

Amen!
The sequence is crucial.
A lot of Christians today do it in reverse. Third, Second, and then if they are utterly confused, the First.

Actually if you do the First first, you will then be able to learn and *respect* any genuine teachers in the world.
And as a bonus, filter out false teachings (also warned in the Scriptures). All without getting our head puffed up by "knowledge."

Amen! So very true.
Seeing as God is the Author Who inspired the Bible, and it is His story that the prophets and apostles and writers penned, God is the One Who can BEST explain His Book. May we all seek the guidance of His Holy Spirit when studying His Word so that we will better understand the clear message that the Bible itself explains. Then it will be much easier to know who the genuine teachers of the Word are, and who the false teachers are...for we will already have a firm foundation in God's Word from God's Word by God's Spirit.