by J. Post

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

How do you study the Bible? First, you need a translation that makes sense to you as a reader. Not everyone can decipher the King James Version, and the whole purpose of studying the Bible is for it to benefit YOUR life, and the lives of those around you, by being a "doer of the Word, not a hearer only." How can you do that if you don't understand what you read? So, first get a translation that appeals to you as a reader.

I personally recommend the New Living Translation, New Century Version, or the New International Version. (*Whatever Bible you have you need Reference verses in the margins of the text.)
Next, how to do dig in and get with the study?

You need to see why you are studying in the first place.
The reason to study the Bible is the same reason why you eat food everyday. You need to feed your physical body with food to stay healthy and feeling good. In the same manner, you study the Bible everyday to feed your spiritual body, which is your soul. Thus, what Jesus said,"Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

You also study to remind yourself of the truths that you have learned, that way you renew your confidence, your strength, your vitality, your love for God, all the reasons you're a Christian in the first place.

You also study to know what God wants to tell you for the day. He speaks through His Word to us all. If you don't study and just pray, it's like holding a one-sided conversation. He speaks through His Word and various other ways also.

So, now how do you study the Bible? Now that you have a translation you're comfortable with and you have an understanding of WHY you want to study the Bible.

Start with the New Testament. Get a notebook and pens.
Now start at Matthew 1:1 and read the passage (all the verses that are together under one subject)
Write this down in your notebook under the title of TEXT. That is the passage or text you are going to start studying.
(*Note: With another piece of paper, write down all the reference verses related to this passage, just jot them down for now, these are found in the margins of the page)
Then start look up each reference verse, writing each passage down in your notebook, and number them. Write them under the heading of your page, which is the TEXT or passage you are studying. It will look like this.

Text: Matthew 1:1-12, (passage written down here)
1. (Reference Verse 1, written out)
2. (reference Verse 2, written out)
And so forth and so on.
See how it works? Use

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