Before we get to the resources, please read this about studying the Bible…
How To Study The Bible Rightly:
The majority of Christians will disagree, but there actually is a way to study the Bible incorrectly. Here are some basic Do’s and Don’ts:
Do
- Study with the aim of knowing all three persons of The Godhead more deeply, as HE wants to be known. In other words, practice good exegesis. Here’s a good chart that illustrates this point further: Exegesis vs Eisegesis
- Cross reference — if this is important even for pursuits outside of studying the Bible (scientific research, thesis writing, journalism, etc.) why should it be any different for gleaning truth from the most important book in history, God’s revealed word? By cross referencing, you are building context around the passage you are studying, making your edification more rich and accurate. I primarily use the John MacArthur ESV Study Bible which offers a plethora of cross reference passages to every verse. Here is a video on cross referencing.
Don’t
- Make The Bible about you — it is helpful at times to compare ourselves to the people and lessons that the scriptures describe to us. However, do not get caught up in studying The Bible as a self-help guide to your personal success. For example, don’t read about David in 1 Samuel 17 in order to learn how to “slay the giants in your life”. The Bible is about Jesus, every word from Genesis to Revelation. The best self-help you can get from The Bible is to know Jesus and know God’s Word deeper and richer. Reading the scriptures for our gain has only temporal benefits that we cannot sustain. Reading the scriptures simply for the aim to understand our Lord better, and thus deepening our ‘knowing’ (relationship) with Him, has benefits in this life and eternal rewards that God Himself sustains forever.
- Use the Bible to justify something the Bible clearly warns against. For example, Matthew 7:1 says, “judge not, lest you also be judged”. Many people either use that verse to justify carnal living or they read it and condemn themselves for every thought that comes to mind that is remotely judgemental. God also tells us to judge our neighbor in Leviticus 19:15 and John 7:24 says we must judge, but judge rightly. We must consider all that the Bible says about a topic and wrestle with what God is truly communicating before we apply it to our lives.
A final note: I always say that I’m a “hermaneutics nerd” or “a hermaneutics gal”. I will do an article on this later, but until then, if you don’t know what exactly hermaneutics is here is a great article by Grace Theological Seminary.
For more Bible Study tips, checkout this great article on BibleStudyTools.com Here.
Free Original Publishings by The Sola Gratia Life:
Notes: Proverbs 31 & Ruth (and check out the accompanying video series here)
Other Free Resources:
Curated and vetted for sound theology.
American Gospel: Christ Crucifed – Study Guide
Note: This is 125 pages and well worth the 3 minute or so wait to load the PDF
The Well-Watered Woman Philippians Reading Guide
Bible Study Guides published by Westminster John Knox Press
Book by Book Bible Study Guides published by BibleStudyLessons.com
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