Welcome back to our lessons on building a Christian life and what so that entails. Last time we started a study focusing on us, the Christian. In this lesson we'll be seeing how Bible study builds our relationship with God and strengthens our beliefs and lives.
The Bible is many things, it's a history of the planet, the early church, it has laws, prophecy, good news, it has poetry and music. The Bible is the most important tool in modern Christianity in that it is the most straight forward way God talks to us this side of Heaven. That said, it should come as no surprise, especially if you have gone through all of the lessons up to this point that there is value in continuous Bible study. In 2 Timothy chapter 3, Paul writes to the young pastor concerning this, "16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
We looked a little bit at this concept in our study of the Holy Spirit in regards to the divine inspiration the authors of the Bible received from Him. This verse emphasizes that scripture is God breathed, meaning spoken and that through it the Christian has instruction for the good works done out of love for Jesus. Psalm 119:105 has a similar point, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." The Word of God, meaning the Bible, is described as guiding light. Jesus Himself warned the path to Heaven was narrow and this verse lets the Christian know, not only is the path narrow, but it's shrouded in the darkness that is sin and that without God's guidance, we don't make it to the other side.
It's no surprise that this guidance and instruction build a spiritual maturity that grows as we study it and plants a firm foundation in Christ. In today's climate nonbelievers have a sour attitude towards Christians. Frankly put, they don't like Christians. Many use this to different advantages through either questioning a Christlike lifestyle based on non-Biblical principles or by changing the Word to benefit their own guilty conscience, to make a mockery out of what is right, speak out of ignorance or even to try to make the faith more popular by including love of earthly standards. As you build stability in Christ you'll find yourself unshaken by such criticisms. What's more is it's not just today's climate, Peter sends the church this warning in his second letter in chapter 3. After Peter addresses the situation laid out above he writes, "17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
Bible study is best done as often as possible. It's like praying, it should be done daily and admittedly many Christians fall short of this goal. Much like other things in life, there's always improvements that can be made but let's look at what makes for a healthy Bible study.
The first of which is securing a fitting translation, one that's written in language that's easy for you to understand. For instance I have a King James Version(KJV) on my phone, an audio version of the New King James Version(NJKV), and a podcast that goes through the NIV 1984 along with many NIV 1984 versions at home. The King James Versions are often free which is why you can find it so accessible across many platforms however, is written in a very obsolete form of English, even the NKJV. Everything on this site uses the NIV 1984. The problem with that is there is a NIV 2011 which I personally believe has some issues. As far as my church goes, they suggest the NIV(1984) or the New American Standard. The ESV is also commonly accepted though not provided as version suggested by Valleskey and Bivens.
As far as Bible versions go you want to pick one and stick with it. This will help you remember where to find things and to familiarize yourself with the text. An example in my personal life was I was going to write up an article on a verse that I found very interesting in the KJV but since I write everything citing NIV what I ended up finding was that in the dated language, the translation of the verses was not accurate in the context of modern language. Another good example is in the KJV oxen are referred to as unicorns which could be problematic for someone unfamiliar with the Bible in today's modern English.
Now all of the Bibles listed above, even the 2011 should lead you to a saving faith, but what do you want to find in a world filled with so many versions. First and foremost, the first thing that needs to be understood is that Bible was not written in English, it was written in Hebrew and Greek. This is where having a good seminary trained pastor helps. You need to know that the version you are using are accurate translations of these earlier versions. My synod has decided that looking at the original text provided, going line by line with comparisons to the original text that the two texts listed above are the most accurate translations. That said it's helpful to have on occasion a scholar who can during Bible study state, what the text literally translates here is, " . . . "
If I could take a moment to inform you of a particularly problematic Bible it would be the translation provided the Church of Latter Day Saints(Jehovah's Witnesses.) Unfortunately this next to King James is one of the most handed out free Bibles. The problem is that these people do not believe in Jesus' divinity and the translation of their Bible reflects it. I'm not fluent in Greek or Hebrew but there are presentations on how the grammar would appear if written the way Jehovah's Witnesses translated it, compared to the actual text that was used for other translations.
Now that you have picked out a Bible the next thing you want to actually do is read it. Much like your favorite television show to dinner or bedtime, set aside a determined Bible study time. Obviously this helps keep you on track. It may be helpful to group it in with your daily prayer and meditation time. A personal suggestion from myself is perhaps to start dinner off with a reading and then discuss it over the course of a meal, often times, especially at my house, dinner can turn into a gossip hour or even worse politics and what a good way to keep the negativity and sin away from family time.
I mentioned prayer above, one thing you should do is begin Bible study with a prayer for the Holy Spirit and enlightenment. First of all there should be an obvious thank you for the Holy Spirit for providing you with the words you are about to study. Then a petition should be requested that understanding be acquired as you study.
The Word isn't always simply grasped and that's why Bible study is so important. Be sure to focus on each word and to obtain an understanding for what it is you just read. Ask questions about what exactly you just read actually said, how would it apply to your life, what knowledge do I gain about my Heavenly Father, what was I commanded and how will this affect my life, do I understand and believe this? It's not always easy, do not be embarrassed to ask questions to fellow believers and especially your pastors. Often times it's easy to place yourself among the scenarios of the Bible. In our article about 1 Peter I wrote how it really felt as though the epistle was directed to Christians in America. It's easy to be a Jew in the dessert when studying what was happening with them and how the laws from those moments still affect your day to day life.
Don't just make it a lesson a day either, be sure to meditate throughout the day up until the next lesson about what you read the night before, use what you read to provide context through future lessons. The thing about the Bible is it is somewhat historically laid out in a timeline, the events tend to affect themselves throughout the history of the world through today. What's found in Matthew or Revelation is very much relevant to what happens in Genesis or Isaiah. If you have a nice family Bible that you like to keep pristine then I suggest you find a cheap version that you can mark up with notes and a highlighter. The Bible in and of itself is not holy, should marking it up help build your faith then that is what you should be doing. Perhaps keep a notebook to the side as well to jot down further notes.
Last go through the Bible book by book. Select verses are great for devotions but a general understanding of a book in whole provides a much needed context. This also allows you to see the progression of God's promises of Christ up through His arrival and second coming. Or read the books out of order as recommended through an alternative study guide. Study guides are a good way to provide talking points and provide context to what you are reading.
Bible study can be summed up using these verses from the first Psalm, "1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
That said a little more goes into Bible study. As warned about above context is very important and knowing it is one of the most effective tools found in the Bible. One thing nonbelievers love to corner Christians on is Old Testament laws in regard to living. Paul and Jesus effectively do away with many of these practices as they were required in a pre-crucifixion era. Now if I didn't know my Bible, I would have to look at those verses out of context and admit defeat. Most false teachings come from out of context passages. Sometimes the argument for an out of context verse is a few books over, sometimes it's the next verse.
Another problem comes from those trying to prescribe meaning to something that couldn't be anymore straight forward. Take everything in the Bible literally unless the Bible specifically points out otherwise. The Bible isn't symbolic, it's not an Aesop Fairy Tale, it's a very real history with very plainly written commands with very straight forward warnings about what happens if done otherwise. You will find things like prophecy in which the writer explains the symbols in the vision or parables which are followed by an explanation. Everything else is a historical, factual statement that should be taken at face value.
These last two paragraphs can be summed up in the next point, consider parallel passages or cross references. Let Scripture do the interpreting. Prophecy in the Old Testament for instance is made very clear as time progresses and the prophecies are fulfilled. The Bible interprets itself. Many times Bibles will have footnotes with where to find the tie in.
The final thing to address is what if you're starting Bible study for the first time and you've taken this all into consideration but what if you want to make sure your translation is correct and you don't speak Hebrew or Greek. The Bible itself tells us to put the text in the light, meaning to expose everything in it to God's truths. If something contradicts itself it's not of God. This applies to outside study guides as well and more so for translation contradiction as it is easily fact checked. Look out for messages dealing in man's selfish desires, grace through anything else but faith, questions about the deity of Jesus. The Galatians were warned of this by Paul at the beginning of his epistle, "8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Once again, it's taken a long time to state something incredibly simple. Study God's Word and often. Gain an understanding. God commands you to grow in your faith and to use the law as your guidance on the road to Heaven. The Bible is His Word, spoken to you, for your salvation. Join us next time as we discuss God's Will for us as given through His commandments. God Bless your faith.
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