Bible Question: The Bible is vast and at times mysterious. At times I feel that I could study the Bible for the rest of my life and still gain only a small measure of the knowledge that is to be gained by reading the Word of God. What is the best way to study the Bible to gain a deeper knowledge? Are there resources that assist us in understanding more of what we read? Are there sources we can use that are guaranteed to have accurate historical information? How do I learn how to "rightly divide" the Word of God? |
Bible Answer: When Jesus left us He said He would send us a teacher the Holy Spirit. And Jesus did! However we seldom allow the Holy Spirit to teach us. There are many excellent resources available to aid us in the study of scripture but the best and least used is the Holy Spirit. Before you start your study stop and take time to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken your senses, to open your understanding and to illuminate the truth God has for you in scripture. Then as you read take time to stop and reflect on what it is you just read, allowing the Holy Spirit to quicken you mind to points and truths you would have missed in the natural. Once you develop a working teaching/learning relationship you will have the best and greatest resource for understanding scripture there is, your own personal tutor the Holy Spirit. The truths of God will literally jump off the pages at you and will find yourself growing by leaps and bounds. |