| ||||||||
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Beliefs - Bible Studies How to Study the Bible |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
1. Introduction
The Bible is divine revelation. God himself speaks to men through the word.
The Bible reveals the truth about God. It gives us the origin of man, explains the
problem of sin and shows us the way to salvation.
The central truth within scripture is the person of Jesus Christ and his work of
redemption. This is pictured in the Old Testament through types, promises and
prophesies. the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is revealed in all his truth in the
Gospels. The full meaning of his life, death and resurection is explained in the
Epistles. Finally, in the book of Revelation, we are told of the certainty of his
coming again to earth to receive his church.
The purpose of the Bible, the written word, is clearly stated in the first chapter of
St. John. This purpose is to reveal the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
2. Some of the things we can get from a study of God's word:
A. Who God is.
B. Our relationship to him
C. Sin is revealed
D. Conviction of Sin
E. Knowledge of what we must do
F. Receive strength
G. Sword of the Spirit for victory over sin
H. Teaches us to pray
I. Makes our lives fruitful
J. Revelation of doctrinal truths.
3. Bible Study Methods
A. Personal Bible Study
The study of the Bible is the way to know God and his will for us. God gave the
Bible to us to help us know him and to do his will on this earth. Personal Bible
study is commanded of us in 2 Timoth 2:15, "study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth." Our daily devotions will allow us to read and study the word of God.
As we study, we can hear God's voice speaking to us with loving instruction of
how we are to live our lives. The end result of Bible study will be a better
Christian walk as we allow the Holy Spirit to "teach us all things" (John 14:26).
The way to begin Bible study is with prayer. Ask God to reveal his truths to you
by the leadership of the Spirit. Carefully read the passage or chapter you are
studying, looking for the main subject presented in these scriptures. Find hat
you feel is the key verse and then see if the whole passage points to this theme.
Does this scripture convict of any sin of which you need to repent? Does this
passage teach me about the Lord Jesus and his will for me? Are there any
commands for me to obey? As you study the Bible, asking these questions, you
will begin to gain a deeper insight to the will of God. This will lead to a greater
desire to be obedient to the word of God.
Second Timothy 3:16 says, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness." The Bible has been given to us to enable us to live a holy life
that will be well-pleasing to God. Therefore, God says to us in James 1:22 that
we should be "doers of the word and not hearers only."
B. Group Bible Study
This may be church study in class settings or a family Bible study. The
principles outlined above should still be the rules of study. The study of the
Bible should be the most important function in a Christian home. The singing of
a hymn, a family member offering prayer and a time of meditation in Bible study
followed by a family prayer will bond together any family and prepare them for
their daily walk and service to God.
C. Techniques of Bible Study
As you begin any serious study of the word of God, it is helpful to develop an
outline of the subject matter. You can make notes of important topics or points
covered. As you read these scriptures for the second time, you will begin to see
developing areas of emphasis that leads to a final truth the Spirit has been
leading you toward all through your study.
A great way to approach scripture is to take advantage of some of the good
study Bibles that have been published. It is recommended that you stay with the
Authorized King James Version. In a study Bible, each book of the Bible has an
outline at the beginning. This information will help you start looking for doctrinal
truths and practical Christian living truths right from the very frist verse of the
book.
4. Example of an Outline of Ephesians
I. Doctrinal: what the church possesses in Christ.
A. Spiritual blessings given - Ephesians 1:1-14
B. Understanding those blessings - 1:15-23
C. New relation or standing with Christ - 2:1-10
D. New relationship with other Christians - 2:11-22
E. Mystery of the Church revealed - 3:1-13
F. Divine fullness of the Church - 3:14-21
II. Practical: the believers new walk in Christ.
A. Growth of the church in unity and love - Ephesians 4:1-16
B. The character and conduct of a Christian - 4:17-32
C. Spirit-filled Christians vs. Unbelievers - 5:1-21
D. Unity of Christians to one another - 5:22 - 6:9
E. Spiritual warfare with the devil - 6:10-24
Summary
The book of Ephesians presents the church as members of the body of Christ,
equipped with all spiritual blessings needed to bring the church into the closest
relationship with Christ and with each other. The practical teaching of
Ephesians is that as Christians are members of the body of Christ, it is the
purpose of God that all men, whether Jew or Gentile, stand on the same
common ground of grace through faith.
Shirley Billingsley
The Bible is divine revelation. God himself speaks to men through the word.
The Bible reveals the truth about God. It gives us the origin of man, explains the
problem of sin and shows us the way to salvation.
The central truth within scripture is the person of Jesus Christ and his work of
redemption. This is pictured in the Old Testament through types, promises and
prophesies. the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is revealed in all his truth in the
Gospels. The full meaning of his life, death and resurection is explained in the
Epistles. Finally, in the book of Revelation, we are told of the certainty of his
coming again to earth to receive his church.
The purpose of the Bible, the written word, is clearly stated in the first chapter of
St. John. This purpose is to reveal the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
2. Some of the things we can get from a study of God's word:
A. Who God is.
B. Our relationship to him
C. Sin is revealed
D. Conviction of Sin
E. Knowledge of what we must do
F. Receive strength
G. Sword of the Spirit for victory over sin
H. Teaches us to pray
I. Makes our lives fruitful
J. Revelation of doctrinal truths.
3. Bible Study Methods
A. Personal Bible Study
The study of the Bible is the way to know God and his will for us. God gave the
Bible to us to help us know him and to do his will on this earth. Personal Bible
study is commanded of us in 2 Timoth 2:15, "study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth." Our daily devotions will allow us to read and study the word of God.
As we study, we can hear God's voice speaking to us with loving instruction of
how we are to live our lives. The end result of Bible study will be a better
Christian walk as we allow the Holy Spirit to "teach us all things" (John 14:26).
The way to begin Bible study is with prayer. Ask God to reveal his truths to you
by the leadership of the Spirit. Carefully read the passage or chapter you are
studying, looking for the main subject presented in these scriptures. Find hat
you feel is the key verse and then see if the whole passage points to this theme.
Does this scripture convict of any sin of which you need to repent? Does this
passage teach me about the Lord Jesus and his will for me? Are there any
commands for me to obey? As you study the Bible, asking these questions, you
will begin to gain a deeper insight to the will of God. This will lead to a greater
desire to be obedient to the word of God.
Second Timothy 3:16 says, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness." The Bible has been given to us to enable us to live a holy life
that will be well-pleasing to God. Therefore, God says to us in James 1:22 that
we should be "doers of the word and not hearers only."
B. Group Bible Study
This may be church study in class settings or a family Bible study. The
principles outlined above should still be the rules of study. The study of the
Bible should be the most important function in a Christian home. The singing of
a hymn, a family member offering prayer and a time of meditation in Bible study
followed by a family prayer will bond together any family and prepare them for
their daily walk and service to God.
C. Techniques of Bible Study
As you begin any serious study of the word of God, it is helpful to develop an
outline of the subject matter. You can make notes of important topics or points
covered. As you read these scriptures for the second time, you will begin to see
developing areas of emphasis that leads to a final truth the Spirit has been
leading you toward all through your study.
A great way to approach scripture is to take advantage of some of the good
study Bibles that have been published. It is recommended that you stay with the
Authorized King James Version. In a study Bible, each book of the Bible has an
outline at the beginning. This information will help you start looking for doctrinal
truths and practical Christian living truths right from the very frist verse of the
book.
4. Example of an Outline of Ephesians
I. Doctrinal: what the church possesses in Christ.
A. Spiritual blessings given - Ephesians 1:1-14
B. Understanding those blessings - 1:15-23
C. New relation or standing with Christ - 2:1-10
D. New relationship with other Christians - 2:11-22
E. Mystery of the Church revealed - 3:1-13
F. Divine fullness of the Church - 3:14-21
II. Practical: the believers new walk in Christ.
A. Growth of the church in unity and love - Ephesians 4:1-16
B. The character and conduct of a Christian - 4:17-32
C. Spirit-filled Christians vs. Unbelievers - 5:1-21
D. Unity of Christians to one another - 5:22 - 6:9
E. Spiritual warfare with the devil - 6:10-24
Summary
The book of Ephesians presents the church as members of the body of Christ,
equipped with all spiritual blessings needed to bring the church into the closest
relationship with Christ and with each other. The practical teaching of
Ephesians is that as Christians are members of the body of Christ, it is the
purpose of God that all men, whether Jew or Gentile, stand on the same
common ground of grace through faith.
Shirley Billingsley