Christians: what are your best tips for bible study?

Atheists and others - how do you get the most out of books you read?

Christians: what are your best tips for bible study?
On top of all the good advice already given, I'd like to add two points. First, if you seek help in understanding the Bible, on no account take up the offer of a free home "Bible" study from JWs or Mormons knocking on your door. Their end game is to get you absorbing their leaders' literature and interpretations, and attending their meetings.





Second, God delights to teach those with teachable hearts, and one way he does this is through the faithful preaching of God-fearing ministers who revere his word, the Bible. So go to such a church, prayerfully, and be prepared to be amazed. During a sermon, the Holy Spirit can take a few words, a particular verse, or the whole 3-point sermon and reveal its meaning to you in an intensely personal way. At the same time (unbeknown to you, of course) other people in the congregation will be having the Holy Spirit "speak" directly into their own situation / need. This does not happen to me every Sunday, but I've lost count of the way preaching has ministered to my deepest, unspoken needs. This is a case of the Bible study of the minister being used by God to help you. It's an immense blessing when it happens.
Reply:Onion rings............................
Reply:carefully!


there was a huge debate about translating the bible into English because the king (sorry can't remember who) didn't think 'commoners" would be able to interpret it. Its a very complicated book to understand and seeing some of the questions posted on this website makes me think that maybe this king was right. maybe people do need a spiritual guide to help make these interpretations. People use the bible to justify so much crap and its clear that some of these people have no clue what it is they're even saying. there is a book, if you truely are interested, that can help you interpret, or at least understand the history behind the book. its called "how to get into the bible"
Reply:I take lots of notes.. I underline things that stand out to me and do a deeper study of those things... i meet with other christians and take bits of wisdom from them as well... consistancy is the main thing... staying in the Word daily and seeking God daily
Reply:empty head, open bible, pour it in. avoid thought, reason and logic.
Reply:Read it first then re-use it as toilet paper.
Reply:Read Books that pertain to the Bible. The Tyndale 365 day bible is a good one to start with. When you come proficient with the Bible use it as a reference, but trying to read it from beginning to end can be a drag. Solution, read books that describe the Bible, You can even purchase daily reading Bibles. These are good sources to escape the drag and frustration. It takes a long time to read the Bible and when you accomplish this task, you have to do it again because the Bible is "The Living Word" it talks and gives many reasons and solutions that you won't catch the first time around. In a nut shell, to understand the Bible, one has got to be reading it all the time. Why? Because there is a gigantic quantity of wisdom, truth and solutions being discused that often pertain to our present day situations.





RD


http://dogwoodsquotes.blogspot.com





Andrew G answer is also a good one......
Reply:I pray before I read and ask for the Holy Spirit to be with me to help me understand what I read so that I can apply the teachings in my life.





I also take notes, sometimes just writing a verse that has really felt true to me that I would like to remember.





Study every day as much as you can.





Keep a copy of scriptures in your car so you can take them on appointments with you and read them while waiting.
Reply:1. Pray before you begin.





2. Unlike just reading the Bible, where it is better to read through from Genesis to Revelation, to study, pick a topic and consider all the Scriptures related to said topic. (For this it is good to have a Bible with a reference column; also, a good concordance will help.)


Maybe you would start off with a study about God, and later a study about Jesus, and so on.





3. If you cannot understand what you are studying, ASK FOR HELP! (Acts 8:27-35)





A VERY helpful Bible Study aid I have enjoyed is called What Does the Bible REALLY Teach? It is very simple, topically arranged, and directs one to the bible for answers to many questions.





Just as a sample, the chapter headings are:





1. What Is the Truth About God?


2. The Bible—A Book From God


3. What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth?


4. Who Is Jesus Christ?


5. The Ransom—God’s Greatest Gift


6. Where Are the Dead?


7. Real Hope for Your Loved Ones Who Have Died


8. What Is God’s Kingdom?


9. Are We Living in “the Last Days”?


10. Spirit Creatures—How They Affect Us


11. Why Does God Allow Suffering?


12. Living in a Way That Pleases God


13. A Godly View of Life


14. How to Make Your Family Life Happy


15. Worship That God Approves


16. Take Your Stand for True Worship


17. Draw Close to God in Prayer


18. Baptism and Your Relationship With God


19. Remain in God’s Love





There is no charge for this very helpful publication that you can obtain from any of Jehovah's Witnesses.


As a matter of fact, Jehovah's Witnesses will be happy to help you study the Bible free of charge, and with no obligation, at a time and place of your convenience. You can contact them at the link below:
Reply:Pay attention to what you are reading many people do not teach the truth of the bible. And it is always good to start from the beginning and continue on. Also maps and historical facts about places in the bible help.
Reply:Here's what my pastor says: read it, write it, pray it, live it.


That simply means asking God what He wants you to read today, open your Bible read it. Write down what you think God's telling you. Pray that you live whatever it is that He's telling you. And then live it out.


That's by far the best one for me.
Reply:1) Pray before studying the Bible. Ask God to help you to understand, and remember what you read.





2) Don't try to read too much in a sitting... you're not cramming for a final. Read a few chapters, and then meditate on them.





3) Read for enjoyment. Remember, the Bible is a big book, and it does have its dry spots. (Leviticus, Chronicles, etc) You don't need to feel obligated to read it in order, Genesis to Revelation. I usually break up my reading... Make it through a book like leviticus, then move onto a book that takes a little less willpower to read through. (e.g. The gospels, Judges, Kings) If you try to read too many of the less interesting books in a row, you're more likely to put it down and not go back for a while. All of the Bible has valuable lessons, but they don't have to be learned in an exact order.
Reply:Read it daily and slowly. Spiritually digest the meanings of the Gospels and the letters of Paul. When you've done that live in the way that the Bible tells you and not only will you be a better person but so will those around you.
Reply:Sit down expecting a Blessing and Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the Truth, Love and Power of the Holy Scriptures. Thank God for His Holy Word and the privilege of reading IT.





2 Peter 1:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.





This Scripture tells me that man is not to interpret the Holy Bible but we must let the Holy Spirit help us.





2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Reply:WE dont just read the Bible. We study it and pray about it. One should get a good concordance, and look things up as they study, to understand the meanings. A good Bible study will always have a Bible dictionary of ppl, places and times. WE must always see who is talking, who to, what about... and go from there. Its not one passage. Its precept upon precept. line upon line. The Bible is like a giant , huge, wonderful, glorious, beautiful jigaw puzzle, fitting together a piece at a t time, and in layers. Like if I read something now I may get it, but a year form now get an even deeper meaning of it, the same passage. Many say the Bible has so many contradictions. No, it doesnt. If it seems like it, just know you are still missing a vital piece that will put together with the ones you have, to make it connect, and be complete. Once that puzzle it done, you realize, wowowow, its like you just started a whole new bigger puzzle, and its even more deep and serious than the previous one. We are to be always learning, knowing, studying, and praying. The more we do, the more we will understand. Pray and ask for answers. Prayer works. Ask God for new revelation, and it will come, ifyou believe it.


But, how athiests study their books doesnt matter. The Bible is not a book study. its Bible study, as its the word of God. Each word has meaning and purpose, not just about knowledge, but knowledge about God and what He wants from all of us. Obedience is the key, as God says it leads to blessings, and disobedience leads to curse. So, the more we understand the Bible, Gods love letter to HIs ppl, the more we know what to obey. God is good, all the time, God is good.


Let us all know what you find once you begin to do serious Bible study. YOu will soon find, you dont even have time for all those other books. This one leads to life... The one book all should read, understand, and obey. Press on...
Reply:Stop reading the parts of the bible that suit you, and read it all. You will then begin to see all the errors, contradictions and lies it contains. It is a proven fact that the gospel according to Mark was written by a Greek writer attempting to get christianity to appeal to the lower classes.


Why do the others Mathew, Luke and John contradict each other.


The events supposedly written by Moses in the old testament happened 200 - 300 years AFTER he died.


The list is endless.


You may, instead of studying the bible, like to study the history of christianity , if you dare - you won't like what you will find.





One last thought,"If religion is the truth, why do they all die out?", even christianity will eventually. It's all out there if you have the courage to look - but you won't will you because religous people are afraid of the truth and what they may find.
Reply:so far you have reli gd tips by other ppl i cant reli say much but mebe u can be a bit more creative





jot down your thoughts, pray about it, and try apply it to your life


art is a reli good way to do things (for me)





basically dont treat reading the bible like a text book or as literiture maybe more so as reading the newspaper.. i think buying some bible walk is good but sometimes their methods can get a bit boring =P





pray after your devotion time /quiet time asking for god's guidance for me is a good way to end





gd luck!
Reply:My tip for Bible study is don't! Read some other literature and get a rounded education from it.

Eye pencil