Study Habits
By Rev. Marion Pastore
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all the readiness of mind, searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. John 7:17 If any man so his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself.
Max Lucado writes:
The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over it the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has thrived. It is the single most popular book in all of history. It has been the best selling book in the world for years.
There is no way to explain it. Which perhaps is the only explanation. The answer? The Bible’s durability is not found on earth; it is found in heaven. For the millions who have tested its claims and claimed its promises there is but one answer – The Bible is God’s book and God’s voice…
The purpose of the Bible is to proclaim God’s plan and passion to save his children.
That is the reason this book has endured through the centuries… It is the treasure map that leads us to God’s highest treasure, ETERNAL LIFE!A. Preachers on average deliver a Bible message one hour a week; is that enough?
1. Rarely is more than a few verses covered in depth.
2. Average church going Christian attends 1.5 services a week.
a. Includes Sunday School, Worship Services, and Bible study
3. R. A. Torry said, “Nothing goes further to help one understand the Bible than resolving to obey it!”
Jesus said, “If any man so his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself.”
a. You must study God’s Word in obedience!
b. Jesus wanted us to know the Word that He preached was of God.
c. He gave us this passage to teach us to study and obey the Word, letting us gather our knowledge from the Scripture and to test His ministry for validity.
d. Should we do less because we have a pastor and we attend 1.5 church services weekly?
e. How clear would the passages that confuse us become if we studied daily and gave complete passion to the irrefutable Word of God.
B. How do I study the Bible daily?
1. Set aside a time for study.
a. Regardless of your schedule make time for study.
b. Get up a ½ hour earlier than you do now.
c. Use breaks and down time to read
d. begin a journal and systematic study
1. Lay the foundation
2. Systematically in John if a new Christian. Luke, 1Thes., 1 John, Romans, and Ephesians
a. read 5 times - once out loud
b. natural divisions
c. most important facts in order
d. principal lessons
e. central truth
f. key verse
g. your definite resolve due to this chapter
3. Read comprehensively
a. read entire book to get complete picture
b. Main subject
c. principal thought - one sentence
d. Truth most clear to you
e. Who are the principal characters
f. What does it teach about Christ
2. Study Dutifully
a. Study the entire Bible - don’t restrict yourself
b. Look up the words not understood
c. don’t be hasty
d. get a Strong’s Concordance
e. Let the study be joy in your duty
f. Be ready for change in your life - new orders from the King!
3. Study Prayerfully.
a. Let the Holy Spirit be your instructor
b. Let God be your interpreter
c. Ask Jesus to be your tutor
4. Study and believe. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all the readiness of mind, searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
a. The Bible IS the Word of God
b. Compare Scripture to Scripture
c. Best commentary on Bible is the Bible itself
d. Rely on the promises - absolutely
e. Each day look for the promises
f. Claim the promises for yourself as well as others
g. Commit to memory
C. What version of the Bible do I use?
1. First of all, God is not the author of confusion. God desires to reveal Himself to man.
2. In Eph. 3:3,4 Paul said: "that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,"
3. God wants to reveal His will to man, not hide it in a cloud of multiplied interpretations. The reason so many interpretations are accepted is because of ignorance. People do not know what the Scriptures say, so it's not difficult to make some grand pronouncement and have a number of people accept it.It's like the ancient Chinese story about the young Chinese boy who wanted to learn about jade. He went to study with a famous old teacher. This elderly gentleman put a piece of jade into the boy's hand and told him to hold it tight. Then the old man began to talk of philosophy, men, women, the sun, and almost everything under it. After an hour, he took back the stone and sent the boy home. The procedure was repeated for weeks. The boy became frustrated. When would he be told about jade? he wondered. But he was too polite to interrupt his venerable teacher. Then on day when the old man put an ordinary stone into the boy's hands, the boy cried out instantly, "That's not jade!" the boy now knew the feel of jade. He would not be fooled by something artificial.
The F.B.I. investigates all reports of counterfeiting in our country. Do you know how they train? By looking at the real thing long enough that the counterfeit is easily spotted.
4. Hosea 4:6 (NASB) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
5. Get the best version that suits you first
a. King James considered the original
1. is a dead language but still one of the most reliable
2. NKJV, NLT, Life Application. Amplified, NIV & others
a. Start with the version that you can read and understand best
b. branch out to multiple versions laterConclusion:
God demands obedience to His word. The scriptures tell us to receive the Word. Our knowledge of the Bible is the guide to a beautiful existence. Great joy and abundant happiness is ours if we follow the plan God has set forth for us if only we adhere to the instructions given. He will guide us, He provides a systematic comprehensive plan laid out for us in His voice. God has provided, it is up to us to have the readiness of mind to know and obey His Word. Do not be destroyed for lack of knowledge. Open your Bible, read His words. How great is it that when we open this Book we have the privilege of God Himself to be with us. Begin today, brighten your path with the light given by the most high himself. Search the Scriptures daily and be prepared to accept God’s highest treasure, ETERNAL LIFE!