A good New Year’s resolution would be “to study the Bible more.” To some folks, that idea sounds as burdensome as climbing a mountain. I’ve had seasons like that, especially when I’ve gone for a long time not getting into the Bible. But I’ve discovered a way to study it that really isn’t hard at all—and it is so rich. Life altering, really. I’ll share it.
First, you only need two things to study the Bible: the right tools and a healthy curiosity. But you have to have both. One without the other won’t work.
What are the right tools? Before I tell you, I have to ask you to set aside a tool that you may currently use. That is Bible study guides written by your favorite teachers. Go ahead and put those on the shelf for now. You will thank me later. OK. Done that? Now you need a computer (a laptop will do) with a good Bible app on it. So, I guess you’re also going to need a desk or table and a chair. Sounds like school, I know. Perhaps. But don’t school students need a computer, a desk and a chair? Ah.
There are some good free Bible apps you can download on your computer. My favorite is Bible Analyzer. Another is e-Sword. I encourage you to click the links here and have a look. I like them because these are searchable Bibles. You can type in words and phrases and find everywhere they are mentioned in the Bible. You can then copy and paste them into a computer file. So instead of taking your notes in a physical journal, you will take notes in a document on your computer. Is this starting to sound too academic? Remember our topic is studying the Bible.
If you have a laptop with Microsoft Word and a Bible app, along with a nice cleared off desk and a chair with armrests, you are ready to study the Bible!
The second thing you need to study the Bible is a healthy curiosity. That’s because without it, you will have no desire to seek and search anything. Here are some tips on “how to be curious.”
- How many times does the Bible say X? You fill in the X. How about “the just shall live by faith” I’m using the KJV (here’s why). Those exact words are found in three verses. I copy and paste them into my Word file, and I read 3 or 4 verses before and 3 or 4 verses after each reference, and it gives me an idea of what and why the Bible says this.
- In Gen 22:8, Abraham is offering Isaac, and Abraham says (after Isaac asks about the lamb to be offered) “God will provide himself a lamb.” I think I know what that implies about Jesus being the lamb, but how can I find that? If you’ve downloaded one of the two apps I suggested, if you go to Gen. 22:8, you will find many cross references (more than in the margin of your Bible) that explain that. Look up those cross references and be amazed at how Jesus totally saw Himself as that lamb.
- There really seems to be something with the number 7 in the Bible. It seems to be God’s signature number. In your Bible app, look up such phrases as “seven days” or “seven times” or “seven years.” You’ll only do that if you’re curious. Expect to learn something when you look those up. See what I mean?
That was pretty simple, wasn’t it? Maybe you need a third thing to study the Bible. Accountability. You see the value, you’re curious, you have the tools, but you’re not sure you have the willpower. You need some forward momentum.
One time in my 20s or 30s, as a single, I decided one Saturday morning that if I was going to keep up with daily Bible study and reading, I was going to need to hold myself accountable to someone. Seriously, I went through my friend list trying to decide who might be the best candidate to hold me accountable. One name rose to the top. Debbi. I decided to call her. But before I could dial the phone, my phone rang. It was Debbi. How “coincidental.” But even more so when, before I could say more than “hello,” she asked me a question: “Could I be accountable to you to read my Bible every day?” I shared with her how I was thinking the same thing at the same time. It had to be of God. From there, we took turns calling each other every morning for several months to make sure each of us was up and ready to read. It was exactly what both of us needed. So, I’d like to suggest the same thing. Find someone who will hold you accountable for a set length of time, like a month, or six months.
Decide to be one of a small private club that actually studies the Bible and learns the riches of Christ, making a difference in your life—and those around you as you interact positively with what you learn.
Jody
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