Lesson 1: Principles of Studying the Bible
Thought of the day
1 Peter 2:2 - Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
Please read these verses:
Proverbs 1:1-9: 23:12, 23; Deuteronomy 11:18; Ezra 7:10; Matthew 7:7; Luke 10:38-42; Luke 11:28; John 8:32; 17:17; Acts 17:10-12; Romans 10:17; 12:1-3; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Timothy 4:7, 13; 2 Timothy 2:15-16; 3:16-17; James 1:5, 19-25; Hebrews 4:11-13; 11:6
Challenges for Growth
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this Discipline of Study from God's most precious Word by examining your life and the passages above. Now ask yourself:
How do I exhibit a life of daily study as an offering to God and others?
How can I develop the willingness to be a more disciplined person and realize I have a calling to learn and grow?
What blocks the willingness to study from working and being exhibited in me?
How can I initiate better study habits, and discipline myself to carry it out?
What can I do to be a better learner and function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainty and stress?
Positive exemples
Deuteronomy 5:1-3; 31:12-14; Ezra 7:9-11; Ecclesiastes 1:12-14; Luke 10:38-42; Acts 2:42; Acts 17:10-12; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Timothy 4:13
Negative examples
Proverbs 19:24-26; Ecclesiastes 12:11-13; Luke 10:38-42; John 5:38-40; Acts 17:13; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2: 22-24.
Introduction
You must learn and make a commitment to be diligent in, engage in, and apply your study of God’s word. Don't be the Christian who thinks that it is unimportant and irrelevant to the development of your faith! Your goal here is not just to be informed, but to be transformed, to be improved, and to learn to think and pray the way God wants you to. Your goal is to cultivate what you are learning and focusing more upon Christ and His Word!
The Study of the Bible simply means to receive information, then process it and become transformed in such a way that we are renewed. We study the Bible for the Kingdom of God, ourselves and those around us.
When you study
1. Hear it: The intake aspect of study is acquiring the information from reading or hearing or researching or a more in-depth investigation of the information.
2. Examine it: To analyze, with logic, the material or concepts into smaller structures; to organize and differentiate between fact and fiction in order to evaluate the information and understand what needs to be taken in and what needs to be gotten rid of.
3. Know it: The cognitive part; building our mental skills with knowledge and learning, this aspect requires that information to be cultivated by our active diligence of focus and concentration.
4. Repeat it: Repetition, the synthesis part, working with a structure when we learn, which is necessary for recalling data or information. This allows the information to take hold, as we ponder it and test ourselves so we know what we learned.
5. Understand it: This is the comprehension aspect of learning. We should understand the meaning of what we studied and be able to interpret the instructions and work out problems with our preconceived ideas of the information. We must really understand and reflect over the information to make sure it is really true. Once we understand, true transformation of thinking and applying the information can occur.
6. Apply it: This is the taking of a useful and true concept into a real situation. With the Bible, which has the purpose of changing us, we apply what we learned into the narrative of our lives, relationships, church, and all situations in life and work.
7. Practice it: This is allowing what we learn to be continually effective to our personal growth and emotions. To practice is to make this an impact with what we learned and be useful to the Kingdom of God. We live out what we study if it is real truth and pass on what we learn in a humble and kind way. If you have it, give it. If you do not have it, you can't give it. Give the fruit of your faith.
Studying the Bible
To engage in proper study, we are to open our minds with the purpose of filling our knowledgebase with what God and His godly people have instructed us. We must have the attitude of seeking and applying truth and then responding appropriately. The Bible is our primary book of instruction, other good instruction books are secondary. We are not limited only to the Bible since we can explore science, humanities, mathematics, life, culture, language, relationships, etc… to grow in understanding and life application.
It is entirely possible to move our mindset to deeper maturity and character, and be willing to trust our source of instruction. We can trust His Word, and we can depend on God. We can be persuaded away from presumptions and falsehoods and be turned to God's true Truth. When we encounter any good lesson in truth or God's true Truth, we listen, learn, apply and adjust our thinking and behavior to what is real, relevant and glorifying to our Lord.
What study is not, is laziness. Thinking "I already know all I need to know" or that "the Holy Spirit will supply all that I need, so why bother" is lazy. Not being willing to learn something new hinders us from doing better. Not being willing to unlearn a bad behavior or bad thinking causes us to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Not being able to relearn something we may have forgotten will also hinder our spiritual and relational growth. Others fear knowledge and think that it may hinder the Holy Spirit.
These claims are, of course, ridiculous because they contradict the Bible and only satisfy one’s slothful or prideful attitude. We can't just copy others thinking or behaviors; you and I must be transformed, so it is natural and genuine. Pride is our enemy. A lack of passion for God’s Word and a tendency to be idle, is not right. Friends, there is nothing more profound or better than to learn about our Lord and put His precepts, to practice and build faith and a church! Remember, we must constantly practice discipline. We should be able study God’s word not based on if we feel like it, but so we can be more like Christ and please Him.
The key is to realize that studying God’s word is not a burden or a chore we must do. This is something that is done as a response of our love, gratitude and humility. We make it a practice. It is our fruit and character in action. It is a discipline because it is not something we are to do occasionally or when it is convenient. When there is an opportunity, we jump in and learn something new. With the Bible, we make it a commitment and a habit. We are always open for opportunities to study God’s word on a regular basis.
Conclusion
When we are learners of God's instructions, we have a concern for His Truth. We want "true-Truth," which is God's Truth, and not philosophical truths that change on a whim. God’s truth is absolutely true. God's truth is fact, not some idea that can be manipulated by faulty reason, relativistic ideas, or personal or political agendas. (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:1-8; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18).
When we don’t study or practice God’s word, we remain in ourselves, closed off to the opportunities and call that Christ has given us. We miss out on so much. Our faults will end up loudly echoing into eternity because we never put our faith in action. We will have an ineffectual Christian life and contribute to building a weak and purposeless church. We have to be careful to watch our attitude and composure, because we are not the only one’s affected by our lack of knowledge of God’s Word (Revelation 3: 7-13).
More Destination Heaven Lessons:
Note from Rev. Mirlande Besson:
The information that you will be learning are not written by me, but are studies that I myself have studied. I saved them and wanted to share this information with you so that you can know what I know and grow spiritually mature. I hope that you take advantage of this and become formidable spiritual warriors for Christ.
