How to Study the Bible
Do you have find the Bible confusing? Sometimes, you wonder what it's all about. The truth is… God speaks clearly and simply. He gives us tools so that we can actually understand and apply His words. Let's take a look.
MAIN MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE
God made men and women. He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Our sinful rebellion blocks our way from relating closely with God. The main message of the Bible is that God made a way for men and women to be close to Him and live with Him forever. God made a way for this close relationship through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus showed us how to relate to God. He also made a way for us to come very close to God by sacrificing Himself for our sins on the cross. So, the Bible is the story of God creating us, loving us, sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ, for us and calling us to walk with Him for eternity.
PRAY FIRST
Example: Dear Jesus, please help me understand what you are saying personally to me through Your Word. I am listening to You. I want to follow You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
WHEN YOU READ THE BIBLE, ASK THREE QUESTIONS
EXAMPLE
Read Mark 1:14-20
"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him."
Question#1: What does this Bible passage tell me about God? He talks to people. He wants people to follow Him. He gives people purpose (fishing for men).
Questions #2: What does this Bible passage tell me about people? People have a choice to follow God. People can follow Jesus. The people in this story dropped what they were doing and follow Jesus immediately.
Question #3: How can I obey or love Jesus more after reading this Bible passage? Listen to the voice of Jesus. When He speaks to me, I should obey immediately.
LISTEN (What is God saying to me personally?)
First, ask God what He wants to say to you personally through this Bible passage. Wait on Him. Listen for His ideas to come to you. You might need to look through the passage, as you quietly wait for God to apply His truth to your life.
Example: Dear Jesus, is there any area of my life that I do not immediately drop what I am doing to follow You? Do I make excuses why I cannot follow You or spend time with You? I will listen to you…. (now take time to be quiet and listen).
OBEY (How can I obey or love Jesus more?)
Example: Thank you, Jesus, for convicting me. I often put off spending time with You. I delay. I would rather play games or be with friends than listen to You. Please forgive me for not listening and not immediately following You. Thank you for your forgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
*IMPORTANT*
If you do not answer Question #3 each time you read the Bible, you will have a very difficult time growing close to Jesus. Your relationship with Jesus is built by you HEARING His voice and DOING what He says. Do not read the Bible for information. Always be asking Jesus how you can obey Him and love Him more from the Bible passage that you have just read.
Now, try it on your own!
PRAY
READ Mark 1:35-39
LISTEN (What is God saying to you personally?)
OBEY (How can you obey or love Jesus more?)
MAIN MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE
God made men and women. He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Our sinful rebellion blocks our way from relating closely with God. The main message of the Bible is that God made a way for men and women to be close to Him and live with Him forever. God made a way for this close relationship through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus showed us how to relate to God. He also made a way for us to come very close to God by sacrificing Himself for our sins on the cross. So, the Bible is the story of God creating us, loving us, sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ, for us and calling us to walk with Him for eternity.
PRAY FIRST
Example: Dear Jesus, please help me understand what you are saying personally to me through Your Word. I am listening to You. I want to follow You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
WHEN YOU READ THE BIBLE, ASK THREE QUESTIONS
- What does this Bible passage tell me about God?
- What does this Bible passage tell me about people?
- How can I obey or love Jesus more after reading this Bible passage?
EXAMPLE
Read Mark 1:14-20
"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him."
Question#1: What does this Bible passage tell me about God? He talks to people. He wants people to follow Him. He gives people purpose (fishing for men).
Questions #2: What does this Bible passage tell me about people? People have a choice to follow God. People can follow Jesus. The people in this story dropped what they were doing and follow Jesus immediately.
Question #3: How can I obey or love Jesus more after reading this Bible passage? Listen to the voice of Jesus. When He speaks to me, I should obey immediately.
LISTEN (What is God saying to me personally?)
First, ask God what He wants to say to you personally through this Bible passage. Wait on Him. Listen for His ideas to come to you. You might need to look through the passage, as you quietly wait for God to apply His truth to your life.
Example: Dear Jesus, is there any area of my life that I do not immediately drop what I am doing to follow You? Do I make excuses why I cannot follow You or spend time with You? I will listen to you…. (now take time to be quiet and listen).
OBEY (How can I obey or love Jesus more?)
Example: Thank you, Jesus, for convicting me. I often put off spending time with You. I delay. I would rather play games or be with friends than listen to You. Please forgive me for not listening and not immediately following You. Thank you for your forgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
*IMPORTANT*
If you do not answer Question #3 each time you read the Bible, you will have a very difficult time growing close to Jesus. Your relationship with Jesus is built by you HEARING His voice and DOING what He says. Do not read the Bible for information. Always be asking Jesus how you can obey Him and love Him more from the Bible passage that you have just read.
Now, try it on your own!
PRAY
READ Mark 1:35-39
LISTEN (What is God saying to you personally?)
OBEY (How can you obey or love Jesus more?)
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