rev 01v03 Studying the Word of God

STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD

Revelation 1:3

It encourages me to know that many of you spend time reading and studying the Word of God for yourselves. Let me offer some suggestions which might make your Bible study more profitable to you.

1. Study the Bible Reverently. This is the Word of God. It is not to be studied as a textbook on religion. The only way to understand it is by Divine illumination. So ask God the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as you read the pages of inspiration.

2. Study the Bible Submissively. Do not try to mold the Word of God into what you think it ought to say. Submit your reason, your logic, your doctrine, and your religious traditions to the Divine Word. To a believer, “Thus saith the Lord”, is the end of all question. We may not understand all that God says; but we must bow to all that he says.

3. Study the Bible in its Context. This is very important. If you desire to know what God is saying in a text, study the passage in its setting. I heartily recommend reading and studying whole chapters and books of the Bible at a time.

4. Study the Bible with Spiritual Eye. That is to say, look for Christ in every text. The Bible is to be interpreted literally. But the true literal interpretation of scripture always has a spiritual lesson. All scripture, in some way, points to Christ. This is our purpose in reading the Bible: we want to see Christ in it. So look for him on every page. Every text will yield some lesson for your heart about Christ – trusting him, loving him, serving him, worshipping him, expecting him, or simply meditating upon his Person and work. Did he not say, “Search the scriptures, for they testify of me”?

5. And study the Bible Practically. Believe it, obey it, and talk about it. You will be amazed at how faith and obedience will open the Word of God to your soul. As a general rule, if you walk in the light God has given you, he will give you more light. And discussing the Word of God with your husband, wife, children, and friends who are believers will help you to remember what God has taught you; and it may well increase your spiritual understanding.