Bible Study Tips!

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 

Let's be people who correctly handle the word of truth.

If you're wondering why you should read the Bible, I want to encourage you with some reasons. First, it's how we know what truth is. It is crucial to be able to recognize the voice of God from the voice of men. We read the Bible to know more about the One who wrote it. Yes, we may listen to podcast and read books and fine great nuggets about who God is through pastors and teachers, but don’t allow that time to replace spending direct time with God. We read the bible to live a life that honors and glorifies God and to understand the hope that we have in His redemption plan. Lastly, we read the bible to humble ourselves and remember, life is not about us (that can be hard to hear sometimes).

Yes, I'm encouraging you to read the Bible, but I also understand it can be challenging. Let’s get practical with some tools to help you…

Have you ever been to a Bible study when someone asked the group, “what does this verse mean to you?” This may be painful to hear, but you are not the main character in the Bible (and neither am I!). The Bible was not written to you, it was written for you. To ask ourselves “what does this verse mean to me?” would be out of order to start our study. We first need to know what this verse means, period.

Here’s where inductive Bible study helps. This type of study means we approach the text and allow the text to teach us. We all have different backgrounds and experiences in life. We hold biases and we need to be aware and acknowledge that. When we begin to read, we need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scripture to us.

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

The Holy Spirit helps you understand scripture. Now, you may be thinking “Charlie when I read, I just don’t understand.” Let me ask you a question and I know it will be a little invasive but, are you rushed? Are you busy? Are you ready to get to the next thing and start your day? We say we want to know the Bible and know who God is, but we don’t want to put in the time to study. This is like saying I want to lose weight but never go to the gym. It simply will not work. It takes time, but please don’t give up. Knowing the Author is worth the discipline. Bathe your time in scripture with prayer.

Set distractions aside! Literally, away from you! The TV, cell phone, pile of laundry… whatever it is it needs to be out of sight. This has helped me so much!

Inductive Bible study is broken down into 3 parts: Observe, Interpret, Apply.

First, Observe. When we sit down with the Bible we need to give ourselves some time and observe what is going on. Observation is just you and the word of God. No commentaries, no podcasts, and no google! You, The Holy Spirit and the Bible. Ask yourself questions like, who is talking? Who are they talking to? What situation is going on? Where are they? Why are they talking? When is this happening? Look at the text before and after what you are reading. Also write down things you don’t know… if you can’t find who is speaking, write that down. Grab a notebook and write down your observations. Let’s start with 15 observations.

Interpretation. The Bible can never mean now what it didn’t mean when it was written. We need to be humble with our interpretations and be opened to listening to one another. The desire is to land at a healthy interpretation. This requires us understanding culture, geography, social norms, language, governmental issues. Ask yourself “how does what I am reading fit into the metanarrative of Scripture?" There are many stories within the 66 books, but all compose one book that has one story. Remember, you don’t have to attend seminary to understand the Bible. Finding these background topics are easy! Invest in commentaries.

Application. The goal of reading scripture is not information but transformation. We cannot properly apply the text if we don’t spend time observing and interpreting. The more time we spend in “O” and “I” the less mistakes we will make in “A”. What does this passage mean considering who God is? What does this passage mean considering how you should live? Lastly, share what you learn with your friends. If you have observation or interpretation questions, ask someone at church. We do not have to study alone.

These steps are not a manual on how to study, rather a guide to help you as you go...

• Pray first. John 14:26
• Choose a book of the Bible to study.
• Begin to read and make observations about the text.
• Make more observations.
• I know this is painful, awkward, and challenging but *squeeze* the text. Write these down. Remember, only you, the Holy Spirit and the Bible here.
• Grab your commentary/study bible. Ask yourself the 'W' questions. (Who, what, when, where, and why. Remember where this verse/chapter and book are located within the Bible. How does this fit into the “big picture?”
• Write down interpretations.
• How does this text apply to my life? Remember, we are desiring life transformation.
• Pray about the text and how you can apply it to your life.
• Share what you learn with others! Matthew 28:18-20.