An Approach to Bible Study
If I want to be a musician I will not only spend time practicing my instrument but studying music theory, reading about great composers, and learning a variety of techniques. If I want to be a Christian I will spend time not only reading the Bible but in Bible study – learning the wealth of guidance and promises it contains, coming to a greater understanding of its themes, getting to know not only the authors but the Author. Just as learning music takes time and effort, so does Bible study.
Why bother with the Bible? That depends on what you believe about it. If it is just another book then there’s no reason to put a lot of effort into understanding it, but if it is the unique communication of God to humanity then it is worth all the time and effort we can give it. We begin serious Bible study with the belief that it is God’s Word. While many different people took part in the process, behind every word is the voice of God speaking. What’s more, the Bible is not just the written record of what God said long ago, but the means by which God still speaks to us today. It is a living Word that can strengthen our faith and direct us on our path. This is why Bible study is so important.
There are two basic ways to do Bible study – by taking a book or passage of the Bible and learning all we can about it, or by taking a theme or topic and following it through the Bible. The first method helps us to see how God speaks to a specific situation, whether the people of Israel or the church, or an individual. The second method helps us to see how God speaks to a specific issue, such as faith, obedience, suffering, etc. Both methods involve determining the text, learning the meanings of words, the context they were written in, and the historical circumstances.
There are three basic questions to ask in any form of Bible study:
- What did the author intend by what they wrote?
- How does this apply to my life?
- What am I going to do in response to what I learn?
In this way the Bible comes alive and becomes spiritual food for the soul.
Finally, approaching the Bible with an open attitude to hear God’s word, allowing the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and guide, and being willing to obey what it teaches, will make our time in Bible study most rewarding.
Submitted by Leigh Johnson