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.’

Today we will be delving into the nitty gritty of Bible study. I mean we will be looking at a step by step guide on how to study the Bible. This is the main crux of our Bible study and I trust that God will be opening your eyes of understanding to these truths which will ultimately transform your Bible study life in Jesus name, amen. Eph1v17-18.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

Below are some of the practical guidelines on how to go about your Bible Study:

1. Read the place you want to study i.e. a verse, text, passage, chapter, book etc. depending on the kind of study you are doing. ITim4v13. You may have to read it more than once to familiarize yourself and understand what has been said. So how should you go about your reading?

• Read it over and over again either silently or loudly.
• Read it meditatively. I.e. while thinking and pondering on it
• Read it prayerfully i.e. with prayers. Ps119v18-19, 73.

As you do this, some words will strike and catch your attention and heart. Make sure you take note of them. These are things that will form the basis of your Bible study. So my dear Friends, by every means make sure you give attention to reading.

2. Check up on the meaning of Keywords, person(s) or places in your choice of study i.e. either word, phrase, passage, chapter, character, topical etc. depending on the kind of study you are doing. 2Tim2v15.

How can you do this?

• Via your English Dictionary. This will obviously assist you in understanding the words in English. 
• Via your Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Why Hebrew and Greek Dictionary?

• Because that is the original language of the Bible (The Old Testament was written in Hebrew while the New Testament was written in Greek Language)
• Because it is richer and better than English Language. For example Love is love in English Language but Love in Greek Language can either mean: Eros- (Sensual or Romantic Love), Philia- (Affectionate Love i.e. love for your friend),  Storge- (Famliar Love i.e. Parent-child love), Philautia- (Self-love i.e. not as selfish or stuck on yourself but positive and healthy), Pragma i.e. Enduring Love i.e. Love that has matured and developed over a long period of time)- Mania (i.e. obsessive i.e. A destructive kind of love that can lead someone to madness, jealousy or even anger), Agape- (Unconditional love i.e. altruistic, selfless, spiritual love), just to mention a few.
• Via your search engine i.e. Google, Bing etc. This is basically leveraging on the power of technology either on your phone, tablets, laptops etc. Once it is connected to the internet.

Let us do some practical examples i.e. Assuming you were studying any of the following words, places or people: Moses, Deborah, David, Solomon, Midian, Gilead, Jericho, Jerusalem. Jn3v16 (Check the word: loved), Acts1v8 (Check the word Power), Lk10v19 (Check up on the word: power here it occurs twice) Phlip4v19 (Check up the word: supply), Ps23v1 (Check up on the word: want), Pro3v5 (Check the word: trust), Psalm 91v10 (check up on the word: fresh)

HINT: Use your search engine to do the above exercise because it will be faster and easier. So what are your findings and discoveries? I am sure that you will be encouraged by the results that you are going to get. This is part of the beautiful encounters that you will have as you begin to study your Bible. I pray that today will be the beginning of such encounter with you.

Other Scriptural References: Isa34v16, Lk4v16; Acts17v2; Ps119v125, 144, 169; Lk24v45

Prayer for Today: Lord, give me grace to be a doer of your word in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: Lord, I believe and I receive grace to be a doer of this words. I receive the wisdom and courage in putting them into practice. And as I do this I know that my Bible study experience will be getting better and better in Jesus name, amen.