Even though I've been saved for the majority of my life, I often struggled in my younger years to know just what "studying your Bible" meant. I knew studying my Bible was something I was supposed to do, but I didn't really know how to go about it, nor did I press someone for a fuller definition of of what studying meant. In my young mind, I naively pictured "studying" to be some difficult task, in which a pastor or theologian was laboring for hours over a small portion of Scripture--trying to squeeze every once of meaning out of the text. While some studying methods may be similar to this, it certainly doesn't embody the whole meaning of the word.
Study: 1--the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, especially by means of books.
2-- a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation.
Don't get all discouraged if you're thinking studying means pouring hours into reading passages of God's Word. Although we should set time aside for in-depth reading time, that is not essential to studying whatever potion of Scripture you're reading. Here are a few tips for studying what you read.
1: Pray and ask God to open your eyes to the Scripture in a new way. He'll never disappoint you!!
2: Scripture never repeats Itself vainly. If you see the same word of phrase many times, stop and count how many times it appears, and see how much emphasis the Lord is putting on it. e.g look at Psalm 107. What is the recurring theme?
3: Be quick to look up the definition of any word you do not know or fully understand. This has helped me a lot. Even words as straightforward as diligent, take on new depth. Diligent: having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.
$: Be consistent and persistent in reading your Bible. Even if you are struggling with reading the hard parts, don't quit!! God will bless. Remember, Satan wants to bind and God wants to free! Even if devotions feel binding, or like a chore, God promises, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
Lastly. Why is it important that we study?
God has told us to--that's the most important reason. 2 Timothy 2:15,"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
The more we study the written Word, the more we'll understand the Author. You're not as quick to doubt the motives and actions of those you know and love--yet how many Christians are a stranger to what lies beneath the covers of their dusty Bible. No! That will not do! Spending time in God's Word is spiritual nutrition, and without it we're starving spiritually--weak and waiting for the attack of Satan
God's Word is a filter in our lives -- and a necessary one. It is pure, and it purifies our thoughts and heart. Spending time with the Lord and being in His Word are important. Don't cut yourself short.
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