How to read/study your Bible

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Important to Study

• We live in these times - Amos 8:11-12
• People don't even want to hear - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
• The only way we'll find life is in the Word
• Jesus commanded the Jews to study it - John 5:39

Jews at Berea

• Paul and Silas went there
• From Thessalonica where they were rejected
• The Jews at Berea were "more noble" - Acts 17:11
• As a result many believed - Acts 17:12

Weird Ideas

• Some think less study means God requires less of them
• Acts 17:30 - times of ignorance
• Willful ignorance isn't an excuse
• We have to study to receive Gods approval - 2 Tim 2:15
• In doing this we have to "rightly divide the Word"

If we expect to receive God's approval we must diligently read, study, and interpret the Bible in a careful, thorough, and correct manner

The Bible is our sole authority

• 2 Timothy 3:15-17
• Deut 13:1-4 - Only way is if we know the Word
• Galatians 1:8-9 - Only way is if we know the Word
• 1 John 4:1 - Only way is if we now the Word
• Only protection we have is knowing the Bible

More Weird Ideas

• A good-luck charm - open it at random
• Hit and Miss - pick a verse hope it's God
• Smorgasbord - pick a verse here and there
• If you built a house that way...?

Five-Man Jury

• WHO is speaking the verse and to WHOM is he speaking?
• WHEN was the verse written or spoken?
• WHERE was the verse written or spoken?
• WHAT related verses of scripture further explain it?
• WHY was it written?

Tools for Study

• Some only use the Bible
• Study Bibles - maps, outlines
• Concordances - Strongs
• Word study aids - Hebrew and Greek
• Bible dictionaries - subjects, people, 

Tools for Study

• Atlases - lives of characters 
• Commentaries - discussion of verses
• We have to be careful how we use these tools
• Always in the light of truth
• Try to understand the verse before going here