Five Vital Tips for Bible Study

The Bible is the book of books, the oldest book in existence, the most circulated and the best read book in the whole world. More than 1631 languages in which all of part of the Bible is available, represents what is spoken by some 98% of the world's population.

It is thus a universal book and the greatest traveler in the world. It is seen in the royal palace and in the humble cottage and read by emperors and beggars, giving comfort, light, and salvation to millions. It has been marvelously preserved for us down through the centuries in spite of Satan's many fierce and fiery efforts to destroy it. Many have been martyred for it, choosing rather to die than to deny its precious truths."

"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me" (Luke 24:44, 45).

How did the disciples respond to the words of their Lord? Their eyes were opened. Their hearts burned within them. Their strength was renewed. Their faith was enlarged. One can experience the same thing as he or she study the Bible to learn more of Lord Jesus Christ.

If one keep the Bible handy and study and keep in mind the eternal value of its contents, he will not be disappointed.

Lord Jesus Christ is the grand theme of the Bible from cover to cover. He himself said so just after His resurrection. Speaking two of His disciples, He went back to the very beginning of the Bible and "expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27).

Speaking later in the same chapter He said: Although the Holy Spirit has been given us as a guide to understand the Bible (John 14:26; 16:13), we must diligently study what it says to discover its precious truths. Here are 5 important ways to do this.

BIBLE READING:

Initially it involves reading a portion from the Bible-may be a chapter or more or even a whole book of the Bible. The main purpose of reading is to get a general view of what God is doing or saying. In the last book of the Bible, We read like this: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Revelation 1:3).

BIBLE HEARING:

This involves listening to others as they teach the Bible, whether in person, over the radio, on tapes, or in other ways. In listening to other, we need to have our Bibles open. We need to be like some early Christians of whom it is said: "... they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts of the Apostles Chapter 17: verse11).

BIBLE STUDY:

This involves analyzing a Bible passage in order to grasp its meaning; and to see its significances in relation to other parts of the Bible. A good reason for studying the Bible is found in II Timothy 2:15:

"Give diligence to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

BIBLE MEMORIZATION:

This involves repeating a verse or passage of the Bible over and over again until you can quote it without looking at the passage. In Psalm 119:11, this is called, "hiding the Word in our hearts." If we memorize the Bible, we can think about the Bible at times when we are not able to read it. It becomes even more valuable when we understand the significance to the verse or passage we have memorized. Then it is not merely a matter of rote memorization of words and phrases.

BIBLE MEDITATION:

This involves thinking and reflecting on what we have already learn from the Bible, as we heard, read, studied or memorized it. If we truly delight in the Word of God, we will do this often. Psalm 1:2 speaks about the blessing of one who meditates on the Word of God:

"But His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."