A few months ago, my (Funmi’s) sister asked, “How should I study my Bible?”. Seemingly straightforward, many of us struggle or out rightly don’t know how to study the Bible.
The aim of this article is to help you understand the Bible and, in turn, who God is.
Principles for Bible Study
As with understanding every other thing, certain principles help you truly understand how to study the Bible. Here are 5 key principles that you should apply:
Understanding Context
As with everything in life, understanding the reason why something was written gives you and I a better understanding of what was written. So, in understanding the bible, we need to have certain things in mind. For example:
- Who is the writer writing to?
- Pre and Post text
Pre and Post text
Understanding the pre – and post text, meaning, what was written before and after.
The Bible was originally written as letters, and letters by nature have a singular train of thought to them. It wasn’t written in English Language, hence, not in chapters and verses.
Chapters and verses were put in place later on for easy reference. Originally, the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. (Reference: Biblica.com)
Consequently, if you see a verse that you don’t understand, while studying , you have to read what has been said and what was said afterwards to get a better picture.
In Bible study, you must be slow to jump into conclusion. This means you need to have read the entire chapter or book to have a full idea of what the writer is referring to, before jumping into conclusion.
Certain things said in chapter 1 of a book can be properly explained in chapter 5. So, reading the entirety of a book does wonders before taking time to dissect one by one.
Who is the writer writing to?
Understanding who the writer is writing to will enable one to get the full picture. For example: Moses who wrote the first 5 books, Genesis to Deuteronomy, uses a figurative way of speaking to explain Christ, because the people he was writing to were full of disbelief and were ready to stone him.
As a result, he used figures of speech to explain Christ. Also, Jesus would use parables to explain things about the kingdom.
See Matt. 13:13-17 NKJV (Please read this scripture). Here’s a snippet:
Therefore, I speak to them in parables because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;
Matthew 13:13-14 NKJV
Again, He did this because of who he was speaking to.
The summary of the Bible
Contained in the bible is a compilation of books, 66 in total. In them are writings of men who wrote, about things either to come, or, explaining things that have happened. Luke 24:44 gives us an idea of why people wrote what they wrote.
Then He said to them, “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 NKJV
Although, the Bible isn’t a history book, history (genealogy) can be seen. Also, it’s not a book about money, but how to handle money can be seen. It is not a book on marriage, although how to treat a spouse can be seen. Ultimately, it is a book about Christ, His Death and Resurrection.
Hence, when you & I read, we must read in view of Christ; speaking of His birth, death, and resurrection.
How is Moses explaining Christ? What does David say about Christ? How do the prophets speak about Christ? In what way do the apostles talk about Christ? All of these are important questions to ask and answer while doing bible study.
Christ is your view and summary in Bible study.
Asking Questions
A question is a communication tool you and I use to understand things we don’t understand. In Bible study, your mind should be engaged because studying the Bible provokes your mind into thinking.
When in doubt about scriptures – the writings in the bible – ask questions. Preferably to one or a group of people that will have the answer. Ignorance is never bliss.
Being teachable
The Bible is the only document that we have to explain God’s character. People can either understand rightly or falsely. How can you explain/teach it correctly?? You do so when you see and communicate Christ as your conclusion.
In essence, you must learn to unlearn and relearn the things you know about God. Which is why we need to study or read as the case might be with Christ, as the substance, because if not, heresy will emanate. See 2 Corinthians 3:14-18 (Please read this as well).
Here’s a snippet: But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
II Corinthians 3:14-16 NKJV
Patience
This is an essential tool that you must grab a hold off. Meaning, when studying the bible, you are studying about an eternal God, that means you can’t know all about him in 2 weeks, or 2 months or 2 decades. You take eternity to know Him.
That shows Bible study will make a student out of you. Despite, the length of time you spend in it, it is a school you never graduate from. The beauty about it is, the more you do it, the more you get better at it.
A big thank you to my friend, Michael, who wrote today’s article. This makes it the 120th article on the blog.
Read Previous post: The little things that influence
Thank you for reading – Funmi
