How to Study the Bible

Tips for studying the Bible, whether you're a new or seasoned believer!

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Since you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the Law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
Hosea 4:6 NASB

This episode goes over some tips for studying the Bible. Some tips are for those just starting out and others are for those who are looking to take their studying up to the next level. Note: the most important tip I can give is to pray before you read/study the Word.

Choose a Translation

• Some translations are "word-for-word" others are "thought-for-thought"
• There are modern translations, as well as older translations (e.g., the KJV)
• Use online resources like Bible Gateway to access all translations and compare
• Ideally you'll want to read multiple translations

Use an Interlinear Bible

• Interlinear Bibles allow you to see the original text (usually in Hebrew or Greek)
• You can compare how a word is translated elsewhere in the text

Acronyms

• FEAST - Focus Your Heart & Mind, Engage the Text, Assess the Meaning, Spark Transformation, Turn toward God[1]
• WORD - Write, Observe, Relevant, Declare[2]
• SOAP - Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer

Cross Reference

By the testimony of two or three witnesses is a thing confirmed (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16); therefore, what you read is often mentioned in another book of the Bible. Try to find other passages related to the passage you're studying. As you get deeper, you'll start to be able to notice patterns with symbolism (e.g., the Feast days mentioned in Leviticus correspond to the work of Christ).

Ask Questions & Word Studies

When you read a passage, pause to ask questions. In the episode I read Genesis 13:7.

Moreover, quarreling arose between Avram’s and Lot’s herdsmen. The Kena‘ani and the P’rizi were then living in the land.Genesis 13:7 CJB

It wasn't the best example but from it, I asked what is meant by quarreling? This is a perfect candidate for a word study to gain better context with the action in the passage. Who are the Kena'ani (Canaanites) and P'rizi (Perizzites)? Find out where else they're mentioned in the Bible and look at the genealogies to see who they descend from and how they relate to Israel.

References

1. Asheritah. "How to Study the Bible Using the FEAST Method". One Thing Alone Ministries.visited August 2021
2. "Feminism". Merriam Webster; visited July 2021