Studying the Bible
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God's Word is His love letter to us.  I don't beleive the Bible was meant to be read as a normal book, from front to back. How can you when it's composed of 66 different books, written by various authors over the course of 1,600 years? I do, however, believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, written for us to help us know our Creator. A lot of people don't know where to begin when it comes to reading the Bible, so I've come up with a brief, cliff notes version of some of my favorite places in God's written Word. I hope this ignites your curiosity to begin the journey. Old Testament The Old Testatment is probably my favorite place to go when it comes to examples of how God our Father deals with his children. These 39 books are filled with examples of people just like us. It tells the stories of their struggles, their victories, their shortcomings, and their failures. Other than the fact that we have the Bible as our life handbook, the one thing that makes us different than our counterparts of the Old Testament is that we have the Holy Spirit living in us to help guide us through this life. In Old Testament times, God spoke to His people through His chosen prophets. Psalms Psalms is a record of 150 songs, prayers and sacred texts. It is the place to go for comfort and renewal. A lot was written by David when he was running from his enemies and when he didn't understand what God was doing. From complaining to praise and answered prayer, this is the place to go when you are feeling depressed, alone, afraid or confused. When you read the psalms, you will feel God's arms wrapped around you, reminding you that He is right there beside you. Proverbs Proverbs is a compilation of words of wisdom completely applicable for today's life. It gives instructions on everything from business and money to family and raising children. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) The Gospels are where we learn about God's Son, Jesus Christ. These men walked with Jesus. They were taught by Jesus. They saw the miracles and the healings of Jesus. They give us a detailed despcription of our Savior. Matthew, Mark & Luke are very similar, however, John explains more about the divinity -- or Godhead -- of Jesus. Acts Acts is all about the beginning of the church and how God used persecution to spread His Word throughout the known world. It is where we are introduced to the promised Holy Spirit, and explains how Jesus fulfilled the prophesies of the Old Testament through His dealth on the cross for our sins. James James is a short, to-the-point book, filled with relevance as it talks about applying God's Word to our lives. Revelation This is not an easy book to read/understand but it tells what we can expect in the last days when Jesus is to return to claim His people. |
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How can you
get to know someone without spending time with him? Getting to
know God and His character requires spending time in His Word.
The Bible shows us the character of God, the blessings He longs
for us, the powers He holds, and His purposes for our lives. It
also contains multitudes of examples from the lives of those who
have gone before us. The Bible is our roadmap for this life.
There are many different versions of the Bible and many different kinds of Bibles. There are study Bibles, life application Bibles, women's Bibles, & men's Bibles. I have several different kinds of Bibles, and I don't necessarily think one is better than the other. The most important thing is to get a Bible that is easy for you to understand. 1. Use a Daily Devotion Daily devotionals are filled with insights for living and are a great way to study God's Word. (Devotions can even be emailed to you) Each day has a Bible verse. Use this verse as a guide for your day. Take this verse and cross-reference it throughout the Bible. Take notes for the way each verse speaks to you, and review them together at the end. 2. Bible Roulette Although this is not a recommended way by the "experts", I found that it often was a help to me. If you need a specific answer, pray earnestly, and open your Bible at random. As you read, you may come across that particular passage that speaks to you. Then cross-reference that passage throughout the Bible. 3. Highlight and Date Using a highlighter in your Bible will draw out those verses that have special meaning to you. I date my verses, and when I happen to refer back to them, I can know if I've applied it to my life or if it is still a change that I need to make. Dating is also a good way to see the progress you've made as you travel the passages of the Bible. 4. Mark it up Don't hesitate to write in your Bible. Personalize it. Claim the promises that you come across by writing "It is written" next to specific verses. Write "Thank you, God" next to promises that have been fulfilled. Write out your prayers if space provides. Personalizing your Bible will make it a valued treasure in your life. 5. Open It Daily Even when you don't feel like reading the Bible, force yourself to open the pages to read just one verse. After time, you will feel the strength that comes to your life, and your faith and focus will be on God's words. 
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