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Tips for Effective Bible Study


Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2Ti 2:15

 

Click here for a Perpetual Bible Reading Schedule

  

Effective Bible study requires both READING (Deut. 17:19; Rev. 1:3) and STUDYING (2 Tim. 2:15). Reading and studying are two different things.

It is crucial, first, simply to read the Bible. There is probably no other one thing that can help a believer better understand the Bible than simply reading it and reading it and reading it.

It is necessary, also, to study the Bible. This involves slowing down the pace, doing word studies, analyzing individual passages, doing topical studies, outlining books, using commentaries, etc. This is the point at which we begin to use Bible study tools.

SOME TIPS ABOUT READING THE BIBLE

1.  READ IT SYSTEMATICALLY. That means read it all of the way through. Why should the Bible be read systematically? First, the Bible is not merely a series of writings; it is one Book; and to be understood it needs to be read and studied as one Book. Each individual book of the Bible complements the other books, and as the Bible is read systematically the pieces gradually fit together.

I supposed I knew my Bible,
Reading piecemeal, hit or miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah,
Certain Psalms (the twenty-third)
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs--
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there.
Just before you kneel aweary,
And yawn through a hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings
As you treat no other book--
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude impatient look--
Try a worthier procedure
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through!
-- Amos R. Wells

This is why it is good to have a plan to read the Bible through at least once a year. To do this requires reading about three and a half chapters a day. A yearly Bible Reading Schedule can be very helpful. There are many of these available. The Perpetual Bible Reading Schedule is a system whereby you read one portion from four different parts of the Bible each day: Historical (Genesis - 2 Kings), Devotional (1 Chronicles - Song of Solomon), Prophetical (Isaiah - Malachi), and Doctrinal (New Testament). The average amount read each day in this plan is less than four chapters.

2.  Pray.  This is important in understanding what is being read, since the Author of the Book is the same Holy Spirit who longs to give you understanding of His Word.