All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Let’s face something. The Bible can be quite intimidating. Especially for new believers. Or for stunted believers who’ve put off a more thorough (and therefore more challenging) study. Many people I know have snatched the Bible off the shelf, knocked the dust off, and dove into the book of Genesis with the honorable ambition of reading through the entire Bible. No one I know has finished this, most of them surrendering before law sixteen (of hundreds listed) in the book of Deuteronomy. That “no-man’s-land” has gunned down many a seeker charging out of the trenches of complacency. My last desire would be to discourage you from such an undertaking. I, like your fearless pastor, am merely advising taking it in chunks. Slowly. Over time. The following is a basic outline of Bible study ideas John offered, along with some I’ve learned along the way. As John related, the most important thing is that you “dig in and drink deeply.”
- Make up your mind (and your will) to study the Bible.
- Pray for understanding each time you open the Word.
- Take one day at a time.
- Conduct your Bible study during the “best” part of your day.
- Buy (or borrow) several translations of the Bible to get a different perspective.
- Buy (or borrow) extra resources to help…commentaries, handbooks, etc.
- Write down your observations so you can track your growth.
- Share what you learn with others (which is perhaps the greatest reason).
Now you have some guidelines. No more excuses.
Now it’s accountability time. After doing this for a week, come and share what you’ve learned with me, John, or the wiser and wittier Jason. And I’ll be prepared to share mine as well.
