For more than 20 years now, I have been studying the bible and it has drastically changed my life. The holy book has been the key to a radical transformation in my perspective on the world. Even now, I am continually amazed by all the benefits that come with the word of God.
The Bible is no ordinary book and the words it contains are like medicine to the soul. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth…and the truth will set you free…”
However, the bible is huge as it contains 1,189 chapters in the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, it takes good practice to fully study your bible.
Practical Steps to Study the Bible
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Prepare first
It might sound like a cliché but to successfully study the bible one needs to set aside time. One should preferably choose a room in the house where they can be alone and ensure they begin with a prayer. The Bible instructs us to begin and finish everything with prayer and that includes bible study.
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You don’t have to start at the beginning
The Bible is a long book and most chapters intermarry. Therefore, it is important to start where you are most interested. For instance, if you want to know about Jesus, you can start with the gospels.
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Read and re-read through the chapter carefully
No matter how keen you are, you are not going to understand the bible in one take. Therefore, it is best to read the chapters more than once, assign topics to each, and make an outline of the related chapters. This way, you can connect the dots between the related topics.
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Read or share with someone else
Everyone can understand the bible differently. Therefore, involve family and friends or theology experts to identify different meanings from unique points of view. This way, you can ask questions and discuss together to get a full understanding.
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Don’t get discouraged
Bible study is a lifelong pursuit that most people cannot see through. God is pleased by our consistent effort to learn his word no matter how much we understand or don’t understand. Greater understanding comes with time and consistency. Therefore, studying God’s word should be a priority because it has the power to change lives.