Standing on the Word Worldwide Ministries - Dr.
Sharon Hazelwood
Training to make a Difference -To Make Him Known
Tool: CPI,
Queensland
Australia
2008 - Outline
PRINCIPLES OF PROFITABLE BIBLE STUDY
INTRODUCTION
The Bible is the greatest book ever written because it is uniquely inspired by God Himself. It is through the Bible that God speaks to mankind, He gives wisdom and instruction for every circumstance of life. He gives comfort in times of sorrow and guidance in times of confusion. Through the Bible God reveals and uncovers sin but He also makes known His desire to forgive and how we can obtain that forgiveness. It contains daily inspiration and the ability to inform and inspire us regardless of what circumstances we may find ourselves.
1. IT IS NOT REALLY A BOOK-IT IS A LIBRARY OF BOOKS.
2. IT IS A LIVING BOOK.
3. IT IS UNIQUELY GOD’S BOOK.
THE
BEST WAY TO STUDY THE BIBLE
The most important factor in studying the Bible is to get to know the author and study it together with Him. Begin every session with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your reading and study. Expect Him to guide you and to illuminate the scriptures as you read them.
Read it consistently every day in this manner. Study it prayerfully and carefully and meditate closely. Keep reading until you sense the Holy Spirit revealing some truth to your heart. Keeping reading until you sense the Holy Spirit working God’s Word into your very spirit. You will feel excited as you realize that God is revealing spiritual truths that will enrich your life and enhance your service for God.
25 BASIC IDEAS FOR BIBLE STUDY
- Get a version you can easily read.
- Read it regularly.
- Begin your day with Bible reading.
- Start with simpler portions.
- Personal and Pastoral (Devotional and Doctrinal)
- Don’t just read it, eat and devour it.
- Read it aloud.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to be your interpreter.
- Practice biblical meditation. Ps.1:2, Ps.77:12,ll9:15,78,99,19:14,1 Tim.4:15
To meditate means to:
Think about it carefully;
To consider something minutely from every angle;
To investigate and scrutinize something closely;
To reflect on something at length and with great care.
The concept of meditation infers:
Getting away from all outward distractions;
Spending time in quiet personal contemplation;
Reading the Bible in private without distraction;
Being still within your soul while deeply considering spiritual truth;
Learn how to listen quietly to the voice of God in your spirit;
Practice those things that God reveals to you;
Becoming a “doer of the Word”, and not simply a hearer.
- Interrogate the Scriptures
As you consider a particular portion ask yourself leading questions.
Ask yourself such things as:
WHO is speaking?
WHAT did he say?
WHEN did he say it?
TO WHOM did he say it?
WITH WHAT RESULTS?
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
WHAT MAY I LEARN FROM THIS?
What does this passage teach me about Jesus?
- Memorize the Scriptures
Memorizing the scriptures has many benefits.
- The Scripture goes with you wherever you are.
- You may meditate on it at any time.
- It becomes part of your thought processes.
In order to effectively memorize Scripture you should
a. Read the Scripture aloud.
b. Read it over numerous times.
c. Repeat it to yourself many times.
d. Include the reference, chapter and verse.
12 Mark your Bible and make notes.
13 Keep a spiritual diary or journal.
14 Apply the Word to your life.
15 Practice what you learn.
16 Study it chapter by chapter
Choose an appropriate book and begin to read it one chapter at a time. Concentrate on that chapter. Read through it several times. Read it slowly and carefully, examine it minutely. Look for significance in every word. If your Bible has a “cross reference system,” follow through on every significant word.
In the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, there are l, l80 chapters. In a little over three years a person could study the whole Bible by reading one chapter a day. Perhaps you can manage to complete one chapter each day, or one chapter may take a week or more. Whatever the case you will learn a great deal from this method of study.
17 Read through an entire book
This method helps us get a grip on the purpose of the whole book. It is like reading a letter from beginning to end. It is usually helpful to do this several times with a particular book before you begin a chapter by chapter study.
Reading an entire book in one session has numerous advantages. It enables one to feel the mood and emphasis of the book. Ideally, you should read it several times, asking yourself important questions as you read.
a. What is the central theme and main emphasis of this book?
b. What does it teach me about God?
c. What can I learn about myself?
d. How may I apply these teachings in my life?
18 Plan to read through the Bible in one year.
19 Reading Psalms and Proverbs
20 Reading the words of Jesus.
21 Studying the life of a major Biblical Character,
22 Study a topic or theme.
23 Study the miracles of the Bible.
24 Doing a word study.
25 Studying types and shadows.
