Bible Study vs Bible Reading
Bible Study Is about Asking Questions
Begin a Bible Study Journal
Bible Study Tools
Every sincere Christian wants to have a more meaningful personal Bible study, to understand the Bible better. While learning the Bible is the joyful task of a lifetime, I'd like to offer several suggestions that can enrich your Bible studies.
Recognize that Bible reading and Bible study are both important, but different. In order to grow, you need to read the Bible every day as part of your time with God -- your devotions or Quiet Time. But taking time for more in-depth study is also important so you really understand what is going on.More on reading vs. study.
The real key to Bible study is being inquisitive, learning to ask questions of the text. First, read the passage. Then be a detective; look for clues. What's going on? What stands out to you? What don't you understand?More in asking questions of the text.
One main difference between reading and studying is writing down what you learn. This isn't just so you'll remember it later. The very act of writing requires you to formulate your thoughts clearly. Writing forces you to recognize fuzzy thinking for what it is and push beyond it. Write down what your learning because it helps you understand it better. I recommend starting a simple Bible study journal for your studies.More on a Bible study journal.
I amso gladI began the habit of note-taking with my Bible study. Now when I study a passage again, I know what I learned the last time I studied it and what I need to explore next. For Bible teachers, small group leaders, and preachers, such a notebook of previous studies becomes especially valuable.
One of the keys to Bible study is to get a good modern translation. You know, of course, that the Bible wasn't written in English, but in Hebrew (and a bit of Aramaic) in the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament. A good translation tries to render the original languages into clear, accurate, understandable English. There are two types of translations:
The New International Version (NIV) is a great balancebetween word-for-word and readability. That's why I use it for preaching and as the basic text for my online Bible studies.More on Bible translations.
A good study Bible is a modern translation that contains a number of extra aids to study -- cross references, Bible book introductions, study notes or annotations, a concordance, a topical index, and maps.More on a study Bible.
Obtaining a study Bible is the place to begin. But as your Bible studies increase, you may want to invest in some more specialized books. Some to explore are: a Bible handbook, Bible dictionary, Bible concordance, Bible commentary, word study tools, a topical Bible, and a Bible atlas.More on Bible study tools.
It's possible to be so engrossed in Bible study that you forget the most important purpose of Bible study. It's not Bible knowledge for its own sake nor being able to quote verses and recite orthodox doctrine. Ultimately, the purpose of Bible study is to learn exactly what the Bible teaches so that you canapply its teachings to your life.
Perhaps the simplest approach to Bible study is to use the three basic inductive Bible study questions to ask of a Bible passage:
My prayer is that your Bible study results in a heart that is tender to listen to what the Spirit is saying to you through Scripture and a will that is determined to live out in your everyday life what you're learning.
Dr. Ralph Wilson is a retired California pastor, director of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries, and author of more than fifty freeonline Bible studiesfrom the Old and New Testaments. EachBible studyis also available ine-book and printed formats. Copyright © 2006, Ralph F. Wilson <pastor@joyfulheart.com>. All rights reserved.
When used in its entirety, Dr. Wilson grants the right toplace this article,including all hyperlinks-- on your website.You may also reprint it in newsletters, brochures, and books, so long as the article is published without alteration.Copy a clean HTML version here. Or use these shorter versions of the article:How Bible Study Differs from Bible ReadingBible Study Is About Asking Questions -- Pure and SimpleBible Study Is Better When You Take NotesWhat Is a Bible Study Journal?Bible Study Begins by Selecting a Bible TranslationBible Study Tools that You'll Eventually Want to HaveBible Study Is Aided by a Good Study Bible