A Bible

Obvious enough, but often overlooked. I mean by this, not that we do not think we need a Bible, but that we are so casual about it. Yes, any printing of "the text" is God's Word. But it seems to me, if we are really interested in Bible Study, in really learning it, then we will invest ourselves in it. A Gideon Bible given to us, or a five dollar edition, with cheap paper and binding, does not seem to me to show the interest that a dedicated Christian should have.

Obviously, if that is all you can afford, wonderful, I understand. But, when we can spend several hundred dollars a year for newspapers, magazines, cable TV, etc., and cannot spend fifty dollars on a Bible, our priorities are messed up! Our treasure reveals where our heart is (Matt. 6:21). Buy a Bible you can be pleased with and then make it your Bible - like your chair, your house, your pillow, your bed, etc.

An Attitude To Learn

Now, before you open your Bible, do you really want to learn what it teaches and cause its words to change the way you think and live? Be honest! Do you really? Just having a Bible, even a fifty dollar Bible, does no good unless you make this commitment. It is a commitment of time and effort. I know, it is not easy in our busy lives, but like anything else that is important to us, we must take and make the time. So, make this commitment to yourself. But remember, you are making it ultimately to God - a contract with Him to learn! "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority" (John 7:17). "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17).

Read It Harmoniously

A belief that the Bible is God's written revelation is a belief that all its parts (books, chapters, verses) are in harmony with each other. To believe otherwise is to reflect negatively on God's ability to accurately express Himself.

Just as we make a commitment to learn, so we must make a commitment to this idea. It is based on God's righteous being and character, on His concern and love for us. If God is not such, then He is not worthy of our obedience.

This means that when we are confused by a text or a certain topic, we do not assume something is wrong with the Bible; rather, we assume something is wrong with our understanding. This means that when we have studied, asked others, sought diligently for answers, and none are forthcoming, we do not give up or abandon our commitment to God and His Word. Although we may never completely understand the issue that troubles us, our faith in God is strong, unwavering, and we will continue to serve Him to the best of our ability.

Practical "Tools"

1. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Before you ever open your Bible, pray. "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9). Do not neglect this. It is absolutely necessary for understanding.

2. Read it. That is right. Read it. Now read it again. What do the individual words mean? If you do not know, look them up in a dictionary. What do they mean together? How do the sentences tie together? Are there parallel thoughts in the context or elsewhere? Note carefully what I call signal words, like "therefore, for, and, by, that, in, be, from, to," etc., to help you understand. Read it.

Keep the text in its context. That may be the verse before or after or both, or a paragraph of verses, or a chapter, or a book. And, study the same topic in other parts of the Bible.

4. Start with what is easy to understand. Start with something you already think you understand. Search to see if your understanding is correct. For example, find, learn, remember where those texts are that teach a person how to become a Christian. Leave harder, more complex topics for future study.

5. Make notes - in your Bible and/or a notebook. No one can remember everything. Use your Bible's margin for recording other texts or ideas you have found that are helpful to understand the text you are studying. The next time you read that text those notes will be there and remind you.

6. Be careful to always observe who is talking in the text you are reading. Sometimes the Devil is quoted, or sinners speak, or uninspired people. Note their words, but obey only God's words or the words of His inspired people.

7. Always remember in which Bible time you are studying. Is it during patriarchal times, before Moses? Is it during Israel's time, before Christ? Remember we are Christians, followers of Christ, and what He authorizes, in His words or through His inspired writers, is what is acceptable for us to believe and do. Only when other portions of the Scripture agree with Him are you to believe it as acceptable faith and conduct for today.

Apply It

All you have done to this point is useless unless you are willing to apply it to your life. Does what you read change and remove from your life unacceptable attitudes and conduct? Does what you read lead to improving and strengthening good attitudes, to increasing your doing of right things? This is the final, all important test of the quantity and quality of your faith and whether you are really studying the Bible. A knowledge of facts alone will not save. Remember the Devil believes, and even trembles (James 2:19).

Carefully study 2 Timothy 3:16-17. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Think about it. "For" what? Let's get busy!

- Rogers Reflector 11/26/2000