how do i learn the bible

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coolcap2007 Apr 30, 2007

I go to a calvary church and the pastor knows the bible so well...he reads for the whole hour, but constantly explaining the scripture. He can understand every single thing from the old and new testament...i cant hardly understand much from the old testament, and he also can find meanings from verses that seem like they dont even give much meaning...he taught me that every single verse from anywhere in the bible really is god breathed. I want to know scripture just like him. just like when i want to learn math i go to school and can read my math book and study it...do i have to go to a bible college, or can i start now? where can i find something that explains every single verse in the bible so that i can know it so well. the old testament is hard and i want to be able to explain everything in there also. but my pastor went to a bible college. is that what i need? i dont want to ask questions on this site all the time because in that case i will just say right now for everyone to explain to me almost every verse from every book in the bible, but see i would like to have resources to sit down read the bible and really actually study. i heard something about comentaries. im not sure what they are but where do i find comentaries atleast if they explain many verses

sermonindex Apr 30, 2007

It is good to want to know the scriptures but ensure you are getting to know the "God of the Scriptures"

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." - John 5:39

I would encourage you to possibly purchase a "Matthew Henry Commentary" George Whitefield encouraged his disciples to read it on their knees. And adopt a consitent bible reading plan, so that you read a few chapters of the bible daily and study through them with the commentary.

C

crsschk Apr 30, 2007

Greg is right brother ... Really there is only one way to get where you wish to be as simple as it might sound ... Dig in and read. A lot of the Old Testament will begin to become clear as you read the New, scripture interprets scripture it is rightly said.

But commentaries are helpful, just be sure to test them against the scriptures themselves and pray for understanding. Take your time and take time.

Here is a great, free resource that many of us use here; http://www.e-sword.net/index.html You can download different Bible versions for comparison and quite a few commentaries, including the Matthew Henry mentioned by Greg.

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firstfruit Apr 30, 2007

The Holy Spirit can use many ways to teach us the Word.
I would say to pray and ask the Lord to lead and teach you.
Commentaries are good but some of them can be difficult for beginners. Different translations are always helpful too. May I suggest Phillips' New Testament translation?
Years ago when I was a new born believer, a teen, The Lord used Christian radio Bible programs to teach me the Bible. One program in particular that helped greatly was Thru the Bible by the late J.Vernon Mcgee. He went thru each book in the Bible verse by verse, taking five years to complete. As a teen I never would have found an old southern preacher interesting; but he was!
As I said the Holy Spirit can and does use various ways to teach us the Bible. So don't be discouraged; ask Him! He is the Helper to lead you into all truth.

sermonindex Apr 30, 2007

Coolcap,

We are such an "instant" generation and we want everything today. But "knowing" the Bible will take time but it's time well invested. Everyone here has advised well, it's all about "doing"... reading, praying, reading, praying!

A lot of people know the Bible and can use it against you in various ways and this is just my humble opinion, but more importantly than studying the written word is to know the Author intimately. You may not understand this right now, but in your studies, don't forget about the Author!

God bless you in your walk with Him,
Lisa

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hmmhmm Apr 30, 2007

here is a thread about this subject, there are many great articles that you can get some good things advices from, somewhere among the articles i have linked to several sermons on the word and about the bible, hope you find something that will "enrich" your bible study,

God bless you

Christan

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=15692&forum=36&55]~~How to get the most from reading your bible [/url]

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iansmith Apr 30, 2007

Reading is probably the best way to learn your bible.

Next to that I would recommend scripture memorization (the bible never says 'read,' it always says that we should meditate on and memorize His Word) try to memorize key passages from the gospels, psalms, ephesians and romans for starters. Members of persecuted churches around the world routinely memorize entire books of the bible -that way they always have the word of God with them, even in prison.

Another good way is to download bible MP3s and put them on a walkman, and listen to them while you get ready in the morning or while you're walking. I gained my appreciation for the KJV this way...

Fourthly, while these brothers have recommended a great commentary (Matthew Henry) and great bible software... for now, get yourself a good study bible, almost every bible printing company has study bibles available. When I became a Christian I had the NIV Zondervan Study Bible, and it was really good to me. My understanding of the bible went up... however my appreciation for the bible came later (by the previous methods).

Remember, knowledge puffs up... always make sure that the reason you're in the Word is to know the person of Christ.

B

beenblake Apr 30, 2007

My Dear Brother,

Understanding the bible in truth comes by revelation from God. This means that God opens the bible to you. It doesn't matter how many times you read the bible or how many books you read, you will not understand it unless God explains it. This is important.

The bible is God breathed, but the danger is that you might read it and see yourself in it. God may have wanted to say one thing, but instead, you read something entirely different. Obviously, you want to see Christ in the bible. You don't want a false interpretation.

There are a great many resources that can help you on this journey written by Christians guided by the Holy Spirit. But, before you begin on this quest, you need to take all these questions to Jesus Christ. Bow down before Him and plead day and night that He will reveal scripture to you as He did the apostles.

Luke 24:45(NIV)
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Once Christ opens your mind, then be ready to read constantly. I would start by reading the bible cover to cover. Once you have done this, read a chapter a day and study it with different commentaries. Make sure you keep a record of your thoughts by writing stuff down. When I read the bible, I keep a little journal handy. Whenever I feel like God is showing me something, I write it in the journal. This way, I can come back later and learn it again.

The journey of learning scripture is a lifetime process, as I am learning myself. We always have more to learn. We should always be willing to learn and never think to highly of ourselves. Even new Christians can teach older Christians, as Christ is in us all, leading us.

I will pray for you my brother. May the Lord answer your prayer.

In Christ,
Blake

sermonindex Apr 30, 2007

Get yourself a King James Bible and read the New Testement, stop at the book of Jude, leave the book of Revelation for another time. Once you've read to Jude, start over. Do this several times if you like. Once you've been broken in and are comfortable in reading it, you'll want to venture out into the deep by reading the Old Testament. The wonderful thing about reading the Old Testament is that you'll remember some key verses in the New Testament and you'll say, "Hey I read that verse in the New Testament" and that will encourage you to read more and more. Genesis and Exodus are great reading books, I would avoid reading the Leviticus, Numbers, Dueteronomy, they contain laws that will just tire you out. Leave that for another time. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Get acquainted with the one who fulfilled those laws and you'll understand more of what your reading when you do read the books of the law.

Whatever you do, avoid reading the book of Revelation for now. If you want to become spiritually dry read the book of Revelation. Many have studied that book have missed the wieghtier matters of the word. In time you will read it, but allow your mind to focus on righteousness, holiness and faith. These are far more important.

The bible is the most unique book that you'll have ever read. It never is the same book everytime you read it, it's always different. When you read a novel, the story line is always the same, you can do an essay on it and summerize the book in a few pages. But the bible is more than that altogether, you can write an essay on one verse and then read it again and find a deeper meaning to that one verse, and it can go deeper and deeper still. You can never exhaust the word of God.

God Bless you as you read.

sermonindex Apr 30, 2007

I was going to respond, but Greg nailed it.

The best place to start is Genesis 1:1... and go from there.

I'm reading thru the Bible again right now, and I have a "read thru the Bible in a year" Bible... but I sometimes find it hard to keep up with it because situations within the church will demand that I spend time studying different topics and issues. So what I did is I simply wrote what they had sceduled for each day... and then left off the calendar dates. This way I'm not getting caught up in a self imposed "I have to read this today!!" and then feeling guilty when I dont.

But Matthew Henry is invaluable. At times I wonder if Matthew Henry was inspired just like the writers of the scriptures were. I mean, I know he wasnt, and his commentary is not scripture... but his insight was so far beyond that of any other commentator or expostory teacher that it boggles the mind.

And considering he wrote it at a time when English literature was at it's height, it is extremely easy to read and comprehend.

Krispy

sermonindex Apr 30, 2007

If you want to become spiritually dry read the book of Revelation.

I would agree and disagree... I think it's ok to read it, but perhaps not spend a lot of time studying it until you really understand some other key foundational things in scripture.

Revelation is the only book of the Bible that declares of blessing to ~~[b]~~all[/b] who read it, and to caution people to ~~[i]~~not[/i] read it is to rob them of a blessing.

Krispy

J

JelloTaster Apr 30, 2007

I have never heard a pastor preach a message about this subject and I find it a bit disturbing. First of all, it is important to know how to study the Bible and who better to teach this than a man who is able to devote a huge chunk of his day doing this very thing. Secondly, it reinforces the idea that pastors or preachers are the ones with the knowledge and we as lay people should just leave that Bible study stuff up to them.

A few months ago I was invited to a mens retreat with a group of men outside of my congregation. We spent Saturday morning and afternoon studying Ephesians 1 and, using it as an example, learned how to study scripture.

First you read the passage and look at it as a whole. What is the theme of the passage? This is often found by noticing words or phrases used more than once. For example, Eph 1 talks about the praise of His glory three times in the first 14 verses.

Then you look at phrases and words that stand out and you meditate on them and research them with a Strong's Concordance or such. There is also a book called Englishman's Greek Dictionary or something and it gives you all the different english words which were translated from a same greek word. It can also be helpful to cross reference these words to other places in the Bible.

These tips have helped immensly in preparing studies and also for my own personal scripture reading.