PRACTICAL GUIGLINES ON HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE 3

Joshua 1 verse 8: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’

You are welcome back to the continuation of this lesson. In our last lesson we laid a solid foundation on the practical guidelines that can help you study the Bible in details. Our focus today is to go a step further in unveiling more practical guidelines that can help you study the Bible. So if you are ready, here we go.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

Below are other practical guidelines that you need to consider when studying your Bible:

 5. Meditate on the word as you study. Ps1v2. Jos1v8.

To meditate means:

• To preoccupy one’s mind or heart with something and ruminate on that thing until it finally becomes a part of one’s life.
• To think upon or about something. To roll something over in your mind.
• To think and speak. To muse, talk, mutter, speak, ponder, consider, reflect on, commune.
• To fix your mind on a thing, occupy your attention with.

These are just some of the meanings of the word ‘Meditate’.

Why is it important to meditate on God’s word? You need to meditate on God’s word because.

1. It will help you to internalize, digest the word i.e. Make it a part of your inner consciousness.
2. To suck the honey out of the word. The riches are not on the surface but on the inside
3. To see things you would not have seen or noticed. Ps119v18
4. To understand and comprehend the Word. Ps119v99
5. It helps in renewing the mind. Eph4v23; Rom12v2

So, my dear friends, it’s time to start meditating on God’s words as you study his word. Ps119v15, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148; Ps77v12.

6. Jot down you findings and observation as you study.  As you meditate on the word you will begin to receive some insights, revelation and understanding etc. So endeavor to write down the things you have observed. Isa8v1. Get a notebook. Write them done. These have several advantages such as;

• So that you won’t forget easily the things you are studying.
• So that you easily recollect and retrieve it back when you need it.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is an essential part of studying the Bible that you need to inculcate into your study plans because this will greatly enhance your Bible study experience.

7. Engage the laws of scriptural interpretation in your studying of the Bible. These laws are designed to help you understand the Bible better. So what are some of the laws you need to consider;

1. The law of Use. This has to do with how a word or phrase is used. The way words are used in the scriptures differs i.e. A word can mean one thing in one place and another thing elsewhere. So you need to pay attention to how words are used i.e. is it talking about what has been done or will be done later, something that requires your participation or will or something that does not require your will, or is it in the past, present or future tense etc. And how a word is used often affects its meaning. You can consider the following Scriptures as Examples: Gal3v13-14, 29: 2Cor5v21: 8v9; Eph1v3; 1Pet2v9. So what are your findings from these scriptures?

Other Scriptural References: Ps19v14; 104v34; Gen24v63; Ps119v97, 99, 148: 77v12

Prayer for Today: Thank you, Holy Spirit for these mind blowing revelations and insights.

CONFESSION: By the grace and help of the Holy Spirit. I declare that my Bible study life is changing for the better. By the virtue of the light and revelation of his words to me, I am moving to another realm of glory and grace. This shall be my testimony and experience in the land of the living.