by Richard Ellis

Created on: May 29, 2009

How to Study the Bible

Obviously, there are many ways to study the Bible: one can study by verses, by chapters, by books, by paragraphs or even by words, with a good concordance. Suggestions can be found by the dozens on the Internet, but a word of caution: find someone, perhaps your pastor, or a trust-worthy friend, who has good knowledge of the bible, someone who can advise you and guide you in your studies. Going it alone is admirable, but difficult if you are new to God's word.

Whether it be KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV, ASV, LIV, AMP or any one of dozens of other versions, most publishers of quality Bibles will include instructions on how best to utilize and study their particular product. This article will not cover those methods of study which have already been written about so well and so thoroughly.

Here we will present a method of study taken straight out of the Bible itself.

We begin in Psalms:

Psalm 119:9-18
[9] Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
[10] With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
[11] Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. [12] Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
[13] With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
[14] I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. [15] I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
[16] I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
[17] Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. [18] Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Let's break it down...

#1. Mark It!
Verse 9 says:
"...by taking heed thereto according to thy word."
We must "mark" God's word. That is, pay particular attention (mark it) to what you are reading. Also, make notes; don't be afraid to highlight, underline, circle words and phrases or write notes in the margins of your Bible. You will be glad you did at some later time in your studies. -Mark it.

#2. Memorize It!
Verse 10 tells us:
"With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."
We have to memorize the word of God. Why? Because we will be less apt to wander from God's commandments if we have a solid foundation of scripture to support and sustain us, for as the next verse says:

Verse #11:
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Memorization

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