Reading the Bible is not the same as studying it. Christians think that the Bible is a revelation from God, and therefore should be respected. The Bible is one of the most misunderstood books, and most people find it very difficult to understand. A long time and various cultures have been involved from the time of the creation of the Bible to modern times. The purpose of studying the Bible is to understand its contents in the original language. If you don't know where to start, how often you should read your Bible or how much you should read in one sitting, or how to learn from it, this article can help you.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Common Way
Step 1. Create a study plan
Take the time and place to study the Bible. Make a plan for what you want to do. You may want to write down your plan in calendar format and specify what you want to read each day. Making a plan can help you stay motivated and focused.
Step 2. Get a good Bible to study
Choose the translation you will use to study. You should choose translation instead of paraphrasing, as this is more consistent. Avoid "paraphrasing" translations – like The Message, The Living Bible. or God's Word.
Paraphrasing is good to read, but not to learn. You don't want an interpreted and reduced Bible: you want the real version! Translations that are quite accurate with the original text are the New International Version (used by historians and academics), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), and the King James Version
Step 3. Study the Bible as you pray
This is your first step in understanding the Bible. Studying the Bible must be done with a prayer-filled desire. Follow God's Words. The Bible will live for you. This is food for your soul.
Step 4. Pray
Ask God to help you understand His words before you begin. Take the Bible literally. Don't guess at the meaning of a parable or story just because you don't quite understand it. Don't try to interpret the Bible. The most important thing you should know is that the prophecies in the Scriptures are not to be interpreted according to their own will (2 Peter 1:20) This is where the misunderstanding begins.
Step 5. Focus on the New Testament first
Although the New Testament complements the Old Testament, and vice versa, it's a good idea to read the New Testament first if you are a beginner. You will understand the Old Testament more clearly if you read the New Testament first.
Step 6. Consider reading John first
John is the easiest gospel to read, introduces who Jesus really is, and prepares you to read the other three gospels. You may need to read it two or three times to understand the author, topic, context, and characters. Read three chapters per day. Read with concentration and patience.
- When you have finished reading John, move on to Mark, Matthew, and Luke, because that is the easiest material next. Read the entire book – one at a time – until you have read the entire Gospel.
- When you finish reading the Bible, try reading the letters from Rome to Jude. Since Revelation is pure prophecy that is not discussed in the New Testament, don't read the book just yet. When you are familiar with all the great prophets, you can study Revelation.
Step 7. Choose a topic to study
Topic-based studies are very different from book-by-book or chapter-by-chapter studies. The topic index in most Bibles is topic specific. Once you've found an interesting topic, you can start by skimming the verses. This will give you an idea of what the verses contain. For example: salvation, obedience, sin, etc. Remember: reading a few chapters a few times will help you find things you may have forgotten or skipped before.
Method 2 of 4: Study Techniques
Step 1. Use a one-language dictionary
Make sure you look up the words in the chapter you are reading. This will help you understand the Bible better.
Step 2. Create a Bible notebook
This will remind you what you read each day. Also, ask yourself questions and write them down in your Bible notebook. Use the "Who", "What", "Where", "When", "Why" and "How" formulas. For example, 'Who was there?", "What happened?", "Where did this happen?", "How did it end?" This simple formula will help you understand the story in the Bible.
Step 3. Underline an important point or something you really like in your Bible
But don't do this if the Bible belongs to someone else.
Step 4. Use cross-references and footnotes if they are in your Bible
These are small numbers or symbols that tell you where to look for more information, or show you something that was discussed earlier. Footnotes, usually at the bottom of a page, will tell you where the information came from or explain complex historical ideas or events and concepts.
Try picking up some of the words that confuse you and looking them up in a concordance book to find other verses that talk about them
Step 5. Follow the references in your Bible until the first time it is used
This is where the Biblical chain of reference becomes important.
Step 6. Keep a journal
You don't have to write too much. Just use a single page notebook with the date, book/chapter/verse at the top. Ask yourself questions and explain the outline of what you read. It helps you to see what God has revealed to you through His Words. Write down some ideas or verses or thoughts that come to your mind as you read. Think "Who, What, Where, When, How." Answer all the questions in each category. Then look at your answers and pray to God that your answers are correct.
Step 7. Get rid of all distractions
Turn off the television and radio. Unless you're studying in a group, find a quiet place with a desk where you can read while you take notes. This is your time alone with God.
Method 3 of 4: Study with Others
Step 1. Find a study group
Find a group of people who want to study with you. Bible texts are very complex and studying together can really help you understand them. It will also keep you motivated and inspired.
Step 2. Share what you have learned with others in your study group
Discuss what you have read with others who have more experience reading and studying the Bible than you.
Step 3. Think of people's opinions on a topic as a guide only
Let the Bible inspire you. Increasing your knowledge of Biblical Principles will only come with years of hard work and dedication.
The Bible is not just a book from Genesis to Revelation. There are 66 books, each from a different author and a different period. Some authors wrote more than one book, but they were written at different times for various reasons. You will find similar topics and meanings throughout the books of the Bible
Method 4 of 4: Sample Study Plan
Step 1. Determine your study order
You can read the New Testament in order if you want but you can also read in a different order for certain purposes. One of them is described in the following steps.
Step 2. Start with the Gospel
Each of the Gospels depicts a different picture of Jesus. Matthew describes Jesus as King; Mark describes Jesus as Rabbi (Many scholars believe that Mark was Peter's son (1 Peter 5:12 and 13). Further research showed that Mark was a missionary who worked with Paul (2 Tim 4:11); Luke showed the human side of Jesus (Luke was a doctor, possibly a Greek from Asia Minor (Col 4:14); and John describes Jesus as God, the Messiah.
Read John again for continuity. This will give you a clearer picture of the gospel. John was the last gospel written. Matthew to Luke are known as the "Synoptic Gospels" because they tell the same basic story but from their own point of view. John fills in the blanks of the other gospels. This is a book that completes the story in the Bible
Step 3. Next, read the Story
The Acts, also known as the "Acts of the Apostles" was written by Luke, and is a big picture of revelation and the early development of the church.
Step 4. Read Galatians to Philemon
These six short letters are personal letters from Paul to the three churches he attended, and to his three friends, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
- Read the Epistles to the Romans. In it are the ways and the way to Salvation, then the Epistles to Corinth. It is an introduction to the Holy Spirit, and extends His doctrine and Gifts, followed by Hebrews to Jude.
- Unless you have been a Christian for a long time, and have a good understanding of prophecy, leave Revelation for a while until you have a firmer understanding.
Step 5. Proceed to the Old Testament
The Old Testament is arranged in order for convenience of reading, not chronologically. You can read it as a group to make the process easier. There are 929 chapters in the Old Testament. If you read 3 chapters per day, you will finish them in 10 months.
- Read Genesis. This is the process of the creation of the universe and the initial relationship with God.
- Continue to Exodus to Deuteronomy. This is the Law.
- Read history books. Joshua to Esther.
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After the history section, read the book of poetry and wisdom.
- Job, often considered the oldest book, shows how a man relates to God, and is full of lessons for improving it. This is a very good lesson about what God expects of man.
- The Psalms are the writings of a king of Israel who is trying to find God, even though he is not only a sinner, but also a murderer.
- The Song of Solomon, written by King Solomon when he was young. This is a poem written by a young man in love. King Solomon was the richest and wisest man in the world.
- Proverbs was written by King Solomon when he was an adult when he became King of Israel, and was learning the lessons of life.
- Ecclesiastes is King Solomon's lament over a man who spends his time in debauchery, many wives, concubines, wine, women, and hums. Ecclesiastes is a textbook on what no man should do.
- After the book of poetry and wisdom, begin reading the five great prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
- Continue to the 12 minor prophets to complete the Old Testament.
Tips
- At first reading the Bible every day may sound scary. But when you have entered into the Word of God, your mind will be opened and will make you more ready to go about your day. One part of that is reading the Bible. Do not give up. If you feel hopeless, pray to God.
- There are 261 chapters in the New Testament. If you read three chapters per day, you will finish them in less than three months. If you just want to read the entire Bible, you can read three chapters of the New Testament in the morning, and four chapters of the Old Testament in the evening, you will finish the New Testament in 87 days. You just have to read 668 chapters of the Old Testament. If you do it like this you will finish reading the Bible in six months. However, you are better off reading three chapters per day. Don't worry about the time you need.
- Pray before you start studying or reading the Bible. Ask God to clear your mind and show power in His Words before you start reading them. There is a prayer for wisdom and revelation in Ephesians 1:16-23 and you can read this prayer.
- Research the version or translation you will be using. Is it accurate? Is it just a more readable modern version, or can it be used for learning?
- The reason for reading the Gospels out of order is that each describes Jesus in a different way. John = Lord; Mark = Servant; Matthew = King; Luke = Human. Also, you don't want to be bogged down by the genealogies in Matthew and Luke when you're first learning. Each has a different purpose, and it will help you if you are familiar with the topic.
- Make an appointment with yourself. Get up early to read the Bible. The promise is: "No Bible, No Breakfast, No Exceptions." King David studied the Word of God day and night. (Psalms 1:2).
- After you have finished the Bible at least once, with the help of a teacher, read the layman's guide to hermeneutics and apologetics. This will help you look up questions as you read and study the Bible.
- As you begin your study, turn to the Holy Ghost for help. John 14:26 says that He will teach you all things and remind the words of Jesus. 1 John 2:27 has a similar content.
- As a way to keep up your daily reading speed, you can use the Bible of the Year. This is not for study, but you will finish the Bible in one year which will make you more familiar with each book as you study it.
- There are many reference books and study guides. You don't need to read all of them, because you will need hundreds of millions of rupiah to buy them. Buy only what you need. There is a long list of these below.
Warning
- Don't immediately believe what Bible experts say about a topic. You will get conflicting opinions and make you confused and give up. Be like the Bereans, and ask questions and prove everything you hear in the Bible (Acts 17:11). Listen to the words of the Bible. The author (God) will inspire and open your mind.
- The Bible was not written in English, but in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. This means that some words and concepts are not direct translations but, the translator's attempt to express feelings and intentions in a sentence. Some are translated literally and work fine. Read with a broad mind, pray, discuss it with others, and be patient in trying to understand the author's original point of view.
- Sometimes your science or common sense seems to contradict the Bible. If this happens, don't jump to conclusions; remember your interpretation of the Bible will never be perfect. That's why you shouldn't interpret the Bible (2 Pet 1:20, 21). Look for sentences that are odd to you and learn the context and tone. Usually, your own understanding of these words is wrong, so look for other meanings that can clear your doubts. If you're still unsure, ask a Bible-savvy friend to explain it to you. If you are still not satisfied, know that any conclusions you draw must agree with the rest of the Bible. The unclear passage will be evident elsewhere in the Bible.
