Tips for Beneficial Bible Study
INTRODUCTION.
A. There are five essential facets of Bible study:
1. Study with respect.
2. Study often.
3. Study seriously.
4. Study to retain.
5. Study to apply.
B. These five facets of Bible study will cause a person to respect, retain, and apply what he or she has learned. Without these five facets, one’s Bible study time becomes simple Bible reading with little or no respect and little or no retention.
C. With this lesson, we will cover three tips to beneficial Bible study. We will cover the following:
1. Four rules to remember.
2. Three necessary attitudes.
3. Avoid using the “I Think” Bible.
I. RULES TO REMEMBER.
A. God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
B. There is only one faith. (Ephesians 4:4-6; Jude 1:3)
C. The Bible is not subject to private interpretations. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
D. The Bible is the word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4)
II. NECESSARY ATTITUDES.
A. Accept the Bible for what it says.
1. Confusion is often caused by personal desires, emotions, loyalties, etc. (Ex. Matthew 19:16-22)
2. This is a simple principle taught by Jesus. (Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:15; 15:14)
B. Maintain the purity of the context!
1. Recognize the difference between figurative and literal language.
2. Ask: Who, what, where, when, and why about the text and writer in question.
3. Ask: Was the speaker inspired or was the record inspired? (Ex. John 9:30-33; the words of Pharoah, Ahab, Jezebel, Job’s friends, etc.)
4. Any verse pulled out of context can be made to teach any doctrine. (Ex. Romans 14:23)
C. Desire to know the Truth. You must do whatever is necessary to understand the Truth taught in God’s word.
1. Study daily to show yourself approved. (2 Timothy 2:15)
2. Study to test what the preacher has said. (Ex. Acts 17:10-12)
3. Study to test your own faith and beliefs. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5 )
4. Do not study to prove yourself right. Study to make yourself right.
5. Do not study to prove your belief. Study to improve your belief.
III. AVOID USING THE “I THINK” BIBLE.
A. The “I Think” Bible is a Bible used by nearly every person at one point or another. It is a Bible wherein each verse contains room for the person to form an “I think” statement. If we were to print such a Bible, it might look something like this. See Chart.
B. Consider the following examples of “I think” Bibles.
1. Genesis 1:1
a. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” {There are different ways God could have done this. I personally believe that God set everything in motion, then let it evolve itself.}
2. Genesis 1:5
a. “God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” {This is not intended to be a literal account. Since scientists say that the earth is billions of years old, then I must conclude that, at best, each “day” was a span of millions of years.}
3. Mark 16:15-16
a. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {This was stated only to the apostles and does not apply to me.}
b. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” {This passage teaches that whoever believes is saved. They are then baptized later.}
4. Acts 2:38
a. 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” {Peter was saying that one should be baptized because he has repented and has been saved. He is baptized because he has already been forgiven.}
5. Colossians 3:8-9
a. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. {I think this is more of a good idea, than a command. If the situation calls for such talk, then it would be ok.}
b. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, {Sometimes it is ok to lie, stretch the truth, and mislead if it is for your benefit.}
6. Matthew 19:9
a. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” {This is too strict for our culture. A person should be able to be happy. I just don’t see how this can apply in my life. My case is different.}
7. Romans 12:10
a. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; {This is a great idea, however, it is conditional. If the person hasn’t done anything wrong, then I can do this. If they are not deserving of my love, then I can’t.}
C. Many more examples could be given of how people use their “I Think” Bibles. And yes, even sound Christians have been guilty of using this same type of Bible.
D. You and I can theorize, speculate, and guess all we want too about religious matters. However, in the end, what you and I think does not matter. Only God’s words, written for us in the Bible, is all that matters!
CONCLUSION.
A. Whether or not you spend eternity in heaven will be determined by whether or not you study your Bible today.
1. The Bible will equip you to live a life that will lead you to heaven.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)
3. Without Bible study, you will NOT be equipped for every good work.
B. So, if you have been lazy or negligent with studying the Word of God, then make the necessary changes in your life today.
1. Apply the rules of Bible study along with the necessary attitudes.
2. Get rid of your “I Think” Bible and follow the God’s Holy Word.
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Tips for Beneficial Bible Study -- October 19, 2003 -- File # -110
by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK