Bible Study Guide

Overview

The Bible contains a depth of wisdom and truth not found anywhere else, and anyone willing to dig for that truth is certain to find it. In addition, there are a number of easy-to-understand reference tools that will help you master the contents of the bible, and start you on a lifelong habit of “Feeding on God’s Word.”

It has been often stated that we are living in a bewildering age, and that many lack a sense of direction in destiny. Also, that they have lost their anchoring and are foundering in their quest for faith and salvation and are, thereby, lonely in the midst of millions.

Such a quagmire strongly suggests that God’s Message of Truth is the only source that can provide the total answer to such precarious situations. In other words, the Word of God is the Good News of forgiveness, faith, peace, purpose and Heaven.

Therefore, it stands to reason that one of the greatest needs for Christians today, is to become acquainted with the Scriptures by daily study and meditation. Then, through increasing dependence upon the Holy Spirit and the prayerful reading of God’s word, we soon discover that His eternal truth begins to grip our hearts with dynamic force. As a result, we begin to gain a deeper and fundamental understanding of God’s essential revelation of Himself.

It becomes quite obvious then, that the Word of Truth has Right Divisions, and increasingly clear that one cannot be “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed” without observing them. So any study of that Word which ignores those Divisions must be, in large measure, profitless and confusing.

Many Christians freely confess that they find the study of the Bible weary work. Many more find it so, who are ashamed to make the confession. However, it is believed that enough is given to enable the diligent student to perceive the greater outlines of truth, and something of the ordered beauty and symmetry of the Word of God. This, to the natural mind may, on occasion, appear to be mere confusion of conflicting ideas.

The Bible student, therefore, is encouraged to search the Scriptures daily to gain a proper and thorough understanding of ourselves, our world, and God our Creator.

Tools/Resources

There are a variety of study tools and resources to aid the diligent and determined student in more fully understanding the Word of God. The first, and most obvious one is the Bible itself. It all starts there.

Bibles

There are many different versions of the bible, printed in practically every language that exists. Nonetheless, it has been acknowledged that they all adhere very closely to the original writings found on scrolls and other period documents discovered centuries ago. It would appear that some of the most popular versions include the following:

King James Version

The King James Version of the Bible has become the standard for English-speaking Protestants. Its flowing language and prose rhythm has had a profound influence on the biblical literature of the past 300 years.

New King James Version

A new and modern translation of the Scripture; yet it is one that retains the purity and stylistic beauty of the original King James. With unyielding faithfulness to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic texts, the translations apply to the most recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies.

New International Version (NIV)

The New International Version (NIV) is a translation made by more than one hundred scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Texts. It is an accurate, beautiful, clear, and dignified translation suitable for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing, and liturgical use. It is thoroughly committed to the authority and infallibility of the Bible as God’s Word in written form.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The NASB has sought to render grammar and terminology in contemporary English. Special attention has been given to the rendering of verb tenses to give the English reader a rendering as close as possible to the sense of the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

Amplified Bible

The Amplified Bible attempts to take both word meaning and context into account in order to accurately transplant the original text from one language into another. It does this through the use of explanatory alternate readings and amplifications to assist the reader in understanding what Scripture really says.

Audio Bibles

Many scriptures are available in audio form allowing you to hear the richness and power of the texts. Some of these can be accessed on-line free, or purchased on tapes and CD formats in Christian book stores.

Additional Study Resources

Commentaries

Biblical Commentaries, written by some of the brightest theologians in the Christian world, provide a systematic series of explanations and interpretations of Scripture. Commentaries are intended to provide additional insight into the Bible, not to replace it, and can be valuable tools to assist in both casual reading and serious study.

Concordances/Dictionaries

The use of Bible Concordances and Dictionaries can provide tremendous depth to your study of a biblical text. They provide alphabetic listings of words and phrases in the Bible in a variety of grammatical forms and meaningful contexts. Entries provide useful history and the context for difficult names, places, and phrases in the Bible. They are also intended to provide additional insight into the Bible, and can be helpful in understanding the full context of difficult verses, places and passages.

A Spiritually Strong Church

Finally, unite with a spiritually strong and healthy church that is devoted to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God in its most Devine and accurate context. Then, do all that you can to be of service in its fervency to carry forth the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.