How to....Study the Bible

It has come to my attention that people don't know how to study the bible....I will try to get across how I study the bible. Mind you I am not the end all be all on how to study the bible, but you could try my way there are many different resources you could use, there is a book called the bible in 365 days where they do some thing like what I am going to show you but it is a daily bible study that takes about 20 mins to go through daily... Here is my way of studying the bible see if it works for you see if it works for you:

A few things you will need

1 A Bible (If you are Catholic I would say use a Catholic Bible (translation New American Bible, NAB)

2 A Notebook of some kind

3 A pen/pencil ( I prefer pens)

4 A place where you can study your bible where you won't  be bothered

* Optional Catechism of the Catholic Church, this will help you see the church teaching on say "Being Saved", or "predestination" This will help your journaling...If you don't have a CCC or a Catholic Bible Come see me...I will hook you up =)...You may also want a diconary to define some terms you come across 

Now that you have gathered all of that stuff lets talk about how you pick a verse or a book to study. This can be the most daunting task. There are 73 books in the Bible and some are easier to study than others because of the writer of the book.  Lets Just start with some thing easy Romans.

Take at least 5 mins and pray if you need a prayer to open do this one:

Lord I come to you to study your word. YOU  Inspired the writers to put these words down. Open the eyes of my hear to see your words and  your meanings. I come humbly to you asking for the virtues of Wisdom, Understanding, and wonder & awe. In your name I pray AMEN!

I like to spend time looking at the 4 W's (Who, What, When, Why)...Most of this info is found int he Introduction of the Book.

Who is writing and Who is he writing to?

What is He/She (95% of the time He) writing about, What is the Significance?

When is the writer writing, year...Time period?

Why is the writer writing this letter/Book/Gospel

After I explore all those things I actually read the verse(s)

1st time: Just read it for what it is worth (just read what it says)

2nd time : Read it for context clues what is the writer saying

3rd time: Read it to understand, write what you think the writer is saying

Journal for a bit:

What do you think the writer is saying.

What do you feel about what he is saying

Write what you feel after you read this

Now Lets try it,  are you ready?

 Get all your stuff together....and

Lets Do Romans Chapter 2:1-2

Start with all of the back round info the 5 W's

Who is writing and Who is he writing to?

 St. Paul is writing this book to the Romans of Rome in Italy. What do we know about Rome: It is one of the Greatest empires of all time it reached from Great Britain to India   (see Map)

Rome (the city) was a place that had all kinds of sin, it was a place where pagans lived and where early Christians were martyred.

What is He/She writing about, What is the Significance?

 He is writing to introduce himself as a Christian (because remember Paul was Saul) to the Christians of Rome. It is his 1st letter it has also been the reason why a lot of Catholics believe what we believe.

Paul's Letter to the Romans is a powerful exposition of the doctrine of the supremacy of Christ and of faith in Christ as the source of salvation. It is an implicit plea to the Christians at Rome, and to all Christians, to hold fast to that faith. (from the intro of the letter to the Romans)

When is the writer writing, year...Time period?

 We don't exactly know when it was written, we know that it is after he was converted (see acts 9). We also know that he wrote it while he was leaving the holy land and finishes it after leaving Corinth (a city state in Greece). 

Why is the writer writing this letter/Book/Gospel

To inform them that they are living against God in what they do, and trying to get them on the straight and narrow path

Now it is time to read the verse:

1.) Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.  For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.

We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true.

* You can journal in between readings, at least I like to:

  What I see from these verses is that Paul is talking about Judgment, and how the Romans judge others who sin, but they do the same things.  And how though they judge God is the judge in the end.

2.) Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.  For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.

We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true.

3.) Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment.  For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.

We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true.

Paul is saying that we are not the Judges and we are all going to be judged on the same level not one person will be on a different level it is all one level. It also says how "you judge another you condemn yourself since you, the judge, do the very same things." So when we judge others we condemn ourselves or in simple terms it is a sin to Judge others.

(Journal)

It is that easy, that simple it is a really easy formula to use to study the bible. The whole processes should take at least 20 minutes to a half hour to work all of this out.  Make sure that your Notebook is clearly only for your Bible Studying or religious writings. Also remember That you want to stick with one book and then move to the next if you are going to study the bible traditionally. That way you won't be spending time in Romans & then go to Philippians.

~Bobby =)