Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 1)

In review of Psalm 119:18 it says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Bottom Line:

Open my eyes that I may discover the wonderful truths in your Word.

What this means to me:

I ask God to keep my mind open so that I can discover the wonderful truths that are revealed in his word.

Any study of God’s word requires not just reading it, but putting it into practice. Be even this requires a willingness to get into studying the Word in the first place. Today’s verse says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18 ESV).

God has much he wants to show me, but I must be willing to look into his Word with open eyes and mind. What I’m learning is that effective Bible study, has five parts. The first two are:

1. Ask the right questions. Learning to study the Bible is learning to ask good questions from the text. There’s no limit to how many questions that can be asked of the Bible, because there’s no limit to its wisdom and insight. The deeper I can dig, the more gold I’m likely to find. Asking questions of the text while I’m reading helps me to look at the text through a whole new set of eyes. In this manner, every time I pick up God’s Word to study it, new truths will jump out.

2. Write down my observations. I should never study the Bible without pen and paper in hand (or in my case keyboard). When I ask questions and find answers, I am to write down what I learn. I can read the Bible without writing something down, but I can’t study it.

Dawson Trotman, who was the founder of the Navigators ministry, used to say, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.” In other words, if you can’t say it and you can’t write it, then you haven’t really thought about it. Even if you don’t see anything in the verse, the suggestion is to just write down that you don’t see anything. Often the act of writing that down alone will potentially open up new thoughts.

Location, method and what I do with it is also important. When it comes time to my actual study part of my quiet time, I have chosen to do it at a Starbucks near my office. I enjoy my first cup of coffee and enter into my study. This can be a bit distracting, especially if it’s really busy, but for the most part I’m able to focus and enjoy my time. I’m often able to get answers by looking at different translations or studying notes from other trusted individuals. At times I’ll even take some difficult ones to close friends or my pastor. I’ve been in the habit of posting my quiet time insights into my personal blog. This is more for me to easily search my notes/comments from any place that has Internet access. I can also point others to specific web links. In addition, I’ve been able to share my insights in any one-on-one sessions or group meetings with others. For my quiet times, I use a combination of devotionals from Rick Warren’s “Daily Hope” (for the daily verses), Biblegaeway.com (so that I can look at multiple translations simultaneously), Youversion for individual verses and google docs / blogger for recording my insights.

Getting Enough Light for the Next Step

In review of Psalm 119:130 it says, “Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.”

Bottom Line:

The teaching of your word gives light for the next step, it’s easy for anyone to understand.

What this means to me:

The explanation of your teaching brings light and understanding so that I can understand the next steps.

Everyone needs light in their life. Physical light is needed to make sure I can see the world around me, and so that I can avoid running into obstacles.

Through his Word, God wants to provide light for my mind. The Bible says, “Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people” (Psalm 119:130 CEV).

God wants to give light to every everyone. He wants to light up our minds with the truth of who he is and his next step for us to take.

Biblical meditation is often the key to turning on that light. I need to soak my mind in this light. Biblical meditation itself is focusing on the Word of God. When I do, I can bring his light to into my life.

Through his Word, God helps me to see my life through a different perspective. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (NIV). God’s Word will give me direction in life; it will show me the path God wants me to be on.

As an analogy; If dark and you have a flashlight. In order to get more light on your path, you need to take the next step. Your vision is still limited, however taking the next step allows you to see further down the path.

I think I’m learning is that often I get stuck in moving forward, as I’m looking for a light from God for my whole path. I want to see everything from start to finish. I want to know what the path will look like and what obstacles lie ahead, and I’d like to know how long it will take to get there. What I need to remember is that God gives just enough light for the next step. I need to take that next step. When I do, God will give me light for the step after that and the step after that, etc.

One of the best ways to turn on the light of God’s Word is to pray God’s Word, like Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” To see wonderful things from God’s Word, I just need to simply ask God to open my eyes to what he he is saying and what he wants to do through me and my life through what he has revealed.

One thing that is certain, God is ready to turn on the light.

As much as I’d like it, God isn’t going to supply the full light for my path. He only provides enough light for the next steps. He does this so that I can rely on him, rather than myself or a plan.

The Bible Can Do The Impossible in Life

In review of James 1:18 it says, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth.”

Bottom Line:

He brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we would have first place and be his own special people.

What this means to me:

God of his own will has chosen to give me life through his word of truth, so that I would be one of his own special people. As such, God uses his word to give me a fresh start each day. Today I recognize that without God’s Word, I could never have been saved. Without it I wouldn't be headed for Heaven. I wouldn't know about Jesus’ death on the cross. And I wouldn't know about God’s purpose for my life. In short, without the Bible, I wouldn't know God. I am grateful for its presence.

God offers a much better life. It all starts with his Word. Through his Word, God is able to recreate my live. Likewise, when I feel like I’m at the end of my rope or when everything is falling apart, God can use his Word to give me a fresh start, a do-over. In James 1:18 says, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth” (NIV).

The Bible can be compared to a seed. Once it takes root in a heart, it begins to sprout and grow and bear fruit. As God’s Word does this, it can actually change a life for the better.

Jesus says this in John 6:63 about his Word: “The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life.” God’s Word isn't just words on a page. It’s spirit and life. It’s spiritual power. His Word can transform society and history. It can do the impossible. It can change a life!

D.L. Moody, a famous Chicago pastor from 100 years ago, said, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge; the Bible was given to change our lives.”

I try to use my time in his word each day to live the life he wants me to. It has truly changed my life.

The Bible Will Survive, It Has the Power To Change Lives

In review of Matthew 24:35 it says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Bottom Line:

While Heaven and earth will disappear, Gods words won’t.

What this means to me:

I can be assured that even while the Heavens and the earth won’t last forever, God’s word will.

The Bible is the most despised, derided, denied, disputed, dissected, and debated book in all of history. It has been under attack for centuries, for everything imaginable.

Yet the Bible is still the most read, most published, and most translated book in the world. And, most importantly, it is still changing the lives of those who apply what it teaches.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (NIV). The only item on this earth that will last, is the Word of God. Everything else will burn up, but God’s word won’t, because truth is eternal.

No matter what attacks come the Bible’s way, it has always survived, and always will. I can depend on that.

I have come to depend on the Bible as God’s guide for living. As I read, study and apply what’s written in it, I learn God’s perspective and how he designed everything to work. When I follow his principles, life never being perfect will flow so much better. I know that everything that is present in this world is only temporary. It will not last forever. The only thing I can count on lasting forever is God and his kingdom.  Today, I thank God for leaving me with such a wonderful instruction set, useful for understanding and getting through this life.

The Bible Has One Theme, and That’s a Miracle

In review of Luke 24:27 it says, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

Bottom Line:

Everything in Scriptures points towards Jesus.

What this means to me:

Everything in Scripture points towards Jesus. He explained everything written about himself, beginning with the Law of Moses and then with all the Books of the Prophets. There is a consistent message throughout.

Only God could have put the Bible together. It’s 66 books written over 1,600 years by 40 authors; and it has one theme. Having a single unified theme is one of the reasons we know that the Bible is God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about God redeeming man, and Jesus is its star.

The fact that the Bible has only one theme is nothing short of a miracle. It’d be one thing if one person wrote the Bible. The Koran was written by one person, Mohammed. The Analects of Confucius were written by Confucius. The writings of Buddha were written by Buddha. You’d expect them to be uniform.

The Bible, on the other hand, was written by 40 different people, at every age and in every stage of life, on three continents. And they all wrote the same story; Jesus’ story. Prophets and poets, princes and kings, and sailors and soldiers all had the same story. Some were written in homes, others in prisons, and others on ships. You couldn't have put together a more diverse group of authors. Yet the story is the same.

Imagine we give 50 people a piece of paper, and I told them to tear their pieces of paper into different shapes; but we never tell them how were going to use them. What’s the likelihood we’d be able to take those pieces of paper and make a map of the United States out of them? Those odds would be astronomically low. If we could, most others would think it was a trick.

That’s the miracle of how the Bible was put together.

I tend to think that the New Testament is about Jesus and the Old Testament is about Israel and God. But this is not true. The Bible says in Luke 24:27, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (NIV). The New Testament wasn't even written then.

The pictures, the metaphors, the analogies, and the illusions, from beginning to end, are about God’s plan to redeem people and build a family for eternity. It all began with Jesus. You can see him in every book. That’s a miracle.

I have one class left toward getting my Bachelor’s degree. It happens to be a class regarding the Old Testament (Exodus and Deuteronomy.)  I look forward to studying this. I will keep my eye out for the references that tie this all together.

Why I Should Start Memorizing Scripture

In review of James 1:25 it says, “Whoever looks intently into the perfect law … and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.”

Bottom Line:

Continue to pay attention and focus on the perfect law that sets you free. This is not just listening but actually doing what it says. If you do, then God’s blessing will be there.

What this means to me:

I should focus (look intently) into the perfect law. It has the power to set me free. But I must not only listen to it, but actually do what it says. I’m to take action regarding it. If I do, God has promised me his blessings.

What I’m learning is that, one of the best ways to grow in my on spiritual maturity, is to develop a habit of memorizing Scripture. This verse today reminds me that it’s one of four habits that leads to a blessed life: “Whoever looks intently into the perfect law … and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do” James 1:25 (NIV).

This breaks down into:

1. Reading the Bible. “Whoever looks intently …”
2. Reviewing the Bible. “… continues in it …”
3. Remembering the Bible. “… not forgetting what they have heard …”
4. Responding to the Bible. “ … but doing it …”

It’s time to grow up and live the blessed life I’m meant to live. Memorizing verses, or “Hiding” God’s Word in my heart is an important way to start.

So when it comes to memory, I know I can remember what’s important to me. I remember the phone numbers and dates that I care about. If I can quote songs and movie lines. Given this,  I can certainly memorize scripture. Memory is a skill I can learn. It’s a muscle I can strengthen.

I’m learning that memorizing Scripture is important because:

If I do, I’ll always have God’s Word with me. When I’m tempted, I may not have a Bible open or by my side. When I’m witnessing to someone who doesn’t know Jesus, is under stress, needs comfort, or is in a crisis, there may not be a Bible around. I need God’s Word in my mind so that I can remember it and review it right when I need it.

I can also meditate on Scripture wherever I go. I won’t be able to review God’s Word unless I remember it. If I’ve memorized Scripture, I can think about it when you get into bed at night or as I drive to an appointment. I can think about the Bible because I’ve memorized it. That’s called meditation. The only promise of prosperity and success that God gives in the Bible says that meditating on his Word is the key (Joshua 1:8).

The real key for me will be what changes will I need to make so that I’m regularly memorizing verses. I think today, I will look for apps for my smart phone that will help me in practicing my memorization of verses. This is much like carrying around a pack of verse cards, but much easier, since I always have my phone with me. With a tool like this at hand, I should set myself a goal to memorize a certain number of verses a year, such as, one verse a week (52 in a year) or maybe just one verse a month (12 in a year.)

Learning How to Get Better Reception

In review of James 1:19-21 it says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Bottom Line:

Listen more, speak less and avoid anger. Anger gets you nowhere. Move forward in life by getting rid of moral filth and evil that comes so easy. In humility, accept God’s word, it has the power to transform you.

What this means to me:

I need to listen more than I speak. I should avoid anger. Anger will not allow me to do anything that God wants from me. Therefore, I need to eliminate any moral filth and evil that comes so naturally. In humility, I am to accept and follow His word. It has the power to direct and save me.

Given the example of a gardener, one can take the exact same seed and plant it in three different locations and get three different results. In one spot, you’ll get giant tomatoes. In another, you’ll get small tomatoes. And in a third, you’ll get nothing. What’s the difference? It’s not the seed; it’s the soil. The soil must be prepared for the seed.

The same is true when I hear God’s Word. My heart has to be prepared for the Word. If I’m late, have trouble finding a parking spot, and are irritated as I rush into church, I’m probably not going to hear God’s voice! I’m not in a receptive mood.

That’s why you can take two people to church, set them side-by-side, and one will walk out thinking God really spoke to him and the other won’t get anything out of the service. The heart of one person was prepared; the other’s heart wasn't.

This verse reminds me that, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:19b-21 NIV).

For good reception, this passage teaches that you have to have four attitudes:

You must be quiet. You can’t hear God if you’re talking.

You have to be calm. You can’t rush God. If you’re frantic, you’re not going to hear him. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God.” My translation of that is: “Sit down, and shut up.”

You have to be clean. Before you can meet with God, you need to take out your emotional and spiritual garbage. You need to get rid of the stuff that stinks in your life. You get rid of the garbage by confessing your sin to God and agreeing with him that what you did was wrong.

You need to be humble. Be ready to do whatever God tells you from his Word. A prideful attitude won’t work.

When it comes to my quiet times, I need to keep my mind clear and turn my focus to him. I should not be thinking of my todo list.  I need to confess any wrong doings so that I can be clear in my relationship with God.  I can always pray for assistance in accomplishing my todo’s or for help overcoming any recurring sins.

This verse, also helps me in my daily interaction with others. Being quieter and listening more are skills that I need to develop. Often, I’m not listening completely because I’m formulating what I’m going to say, or making up my mind about whatever it is. I need to slow down and not rush. It’s important to hear everything, otherwise I’m imposing my own thoughts / desires. In order to listen more / speak less, I’ll need to tell myself to wait at least 5-10 seconds before responding. I’ll also need to eliminate distractions, such as focusing on my cell phone or my computer.  I should turn and look at the one speaking to me.