In preparing to write this, I went to Pinterest and typed in the words “how to study the bible”. Was I ever surprised to see what came up! There were all kinds of methods; different styles for both beginners and experienced people. Inductive and deductive; routines and note-taking suggestions. A person could easily become overwhelmed at the amount of information offered.

Then I went back and typed in the words “things you need to study the bible”. No results came up that fit those words. I thought for sure a few would come up; at least showing suggested supplies; but no, nothing did.

That surprised me because I thought my idea for this post wasn’t very original. I thought quite a few people had to have written on it already, but apparently not. So here I am hoping this will be a help to you, or at least give you something to think about.

As believers, we’re supposed to have a living, deepening relationship with God, yet many seem to not care enough to find out what He has to say. What kind of relationship will survive if there isn’t communication; if there is only one party doing the talking, but never listening. Yet this is exactly what many people are doing.

I believe there are at least five things we need if we’re to get the most out of reading the bible. If you put them to use, you’ll find they’ll make a big difference.

1. Respect and reverence for God’s word

When it comes to reading or studying God’s word, I think we need to take it more seriously than we do. Here in the western part of the world, we have lost a lot of the reverence and respect for the bible compared to what people used to have. Jokes are made and fewer people stand up in defense of what it says.

Think about it, our God has used His written word to speak to us; to show us the way to Him and how to live for Him; so that we can spend eternity with Him. His word is true, eternal and life-giving to us. God even values His word above His own name! Do you take it that seriously?

2. Spiritual protection

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

The enemy doesn’t want you to read your bible, so he is going to do anything he can to interrupt you; distract you, and hinder your comprehension and memory of what you read. We need to act like sons and daughters of the King and use the power we have through Jesus’s name and the power of His blood to block these tactics of the enemy.

Then he said to me,

“Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day

that you set your heart to understand,

and to humble yourself before your God,

your words were heard;

and I have come because of your words.”

Daniel 10:12

You need to pray that God would put His warring and protective angels around you on all sides. You need to arm yourself in the armor that God provided (see Ephesians 6). He will send His angels to us if we just ask Him to do so.

3. Guidance of the Holy Spirit

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,

He will guide you into all truth;

for He will not speak on His own authority,

but whatever He hears He will speak…

John 16:13

We also need to ask that the Holy Spirit guide and direct us as we read. He’s our Helper and Teacher and will bring back to mind things we have heard and learned.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in My name,

He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 14:26

4. Wisdom and discernment

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,

who gives to all liberally and without reproach,

and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

Two other things we need to ask God for is wisdom and discernment. Discernment is the ability to perceive or recognize something. Wisdom is putting knowledge to use. We shouldn’t attempt to try and understand everything in the bible without seeking these two things from God.

For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth

come knowledge and understanding

Proverbs 2:6

5. A willing spirit

Blessed are those who hunger

and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Do you have a hunger to know God better? A hunger for His word? Are you open to finding out what needs changing in your life? This is what a willing spirit looks like. Our journey as a believer is to grow closer to and become more like Him every day. We need to pray to have a willingness to act on what we read and what we hear. Our hearts need to be ready to hear God when He speaks to us through His word. We need to stay open and keep our hearts soft so that the Holy Spirit can do a work in us.

…you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda

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