How To Study Your Bible

​One of the toughest struggles in the Christian walk is studying the Bible. It is not a Bible study until you do something about it. It is not enough to just put thoughts in your mind; it must change your life. The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge. The Bible was given to change our lives. So, the last step in every Bible study is: What am I going to do about it?

How do I know and understand the meaning of a text? Let us be honest—there are parts of the Bible that are hard to understand. Have you ever read a section repeatedly, trying to figure out exactly what God is trying to say?

Fortunately, our heavenly Father has blessed believers with a Counselor. This teacher is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and serves as the bridge between our limited understanding and divine omniscience. In John 14:26 NIV, Jesus tells the disciples, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  The truth is, if we have difficulty understanding a verse or are struggling to remember a biblical truth, the Holy Spirit can guide us to the knowledge we are seeking.

God sends the Holy Spirit not only to help us understand but also to transform our lives. The Spirit’s goal is not to fill your mind with information but to bring you to a deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He wants you to understand the truth so you will fall in love with Jesus. He wants to shape and mold us into Christ followers, so He reminds us of areas in our lives that need forgiveness and shows us how to deal with them.

But all these resources of God’s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the thoughts of God. Nehemiah 1:5 NIV says, "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands.”

Thankfully, God did not design the Christian life to be a solo journey. Every single believer has a close companion and instructor—the Holy Spirit. As questions arise and insurmountable tasks pile up, trust in Him to provide answers and carry you through. Through the Spirit's guidance, we will gain an understanding of its application to life. This process helps us absorb His truths so we can live by them.

Next, we must keep up an active prayer life. A committed and consistent prayer life is essential for every believer who wants to grow in his relationship with Christ. Prayer is conversation with God—it includes both speaking and listening. God did not design prayer as simply an avenue for requests; spending time in conversation with our heavenly Father is meant to help us know and love Him.

You and I are to meditate, which involves prayerful consideration of what we read in the Word. Pray for a hunger to study God's Word and for the Holy Spirit's discernment as you read the words. Pray for a desire to share what you learn with others and to use the Bible's transforming power to be a light in this darkened world. Psalm 119:105 NIV says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

If you really want to take your Bible study seriously, the best thing you can do is to join a Life Group at church. Doing so will not only provide you with a solid Bible reading plan, but it will also pretty much ensure that you actually do the reading involved with that plan; it is a rare person who is comfortable being the only one at a Bible study group meeting who did not do the reading the group has come together that week to discuss.

Make Every Day Count!

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