If you have never studied your
Bible before, the information we have been covering the past few weeks is
probably a little overwhelming. You might want to try it all or you might want
to give up. Please, take things one step at a time.
Pray
Ask God how He would have you to
study. It might be something completely different than what I have suggested
and that is fine! Do as God leads.
Study
Some people need to study a few
minutes every day, others prefer to set aside several hours once or twice a
week. Again pray to see what plan God would have for you.
Apply
As you study God's Word, He will begin to use it in your life ("For the word of God is
quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12).
To study and
never apply is described in James 1:22-25, "But
be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For
if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding
his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the
perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,
he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed." As we begin to study God's Word, are we entering
with a humble spirit to learn and apply, or are beholding God's truth then
turning away, ignoring His Word in disobedience?
Great Study Amanda!!! I really enjoyed and benefited from all of it. My Bible study right now is through the book of Ephesians (I just finished the first chapter this morning). The Lord allowed me to finally be able to purchase a Strongs concordance and Hebrew/Greek dictionary for my Kindle so it is is SO simple to do my studying now. It actually came as a "Bible study suite" which has a KJV Bible, Concordance, Hebrew/Greek dictionary, and a couple Bible dictionaries. I of course still use my own regular Bible, but I go to the same place in Kindle Bible to follow through with the words, etc. that I'm studying. I haven't used the other Bible dictionaries so far... as you say, the Bible explains itself. :-) There were actually a couple times when I would say, "Well, let me go see what the Bible dictionaries say about this passage", and then I would think, "No, I just need to pray and ask the Lord to open it up to me through His Word and the Holy Spirit, and meditate on it some more," and the wonderful thing was that He spoke to me every time. I LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, there's half my long email already written... Just kidding! :-)
Have a wonderful day,
~ Janell
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
Thank you SO much for your comment, Janell! Oh, I'd love to hear more about your Ephesians study (in the next half of your email :D)
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad to hear that you were finally able to purchase the Strong's concordance for your Kindle. I know that will be a huge blessing to you!
Amen.
I look forward to "the other half" of the email. ;)
Love you!
Amanda
"If ye love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15