Home Going Deeper: Bible Study Tips
Bible Study Tips: Beginning a One-on-One Time With God
Decide on a time and place
God is with us throughout the day and we can talk to him anywhere, anytime. But our lives are filled with distractions. There are so many other things that demand our attention that we need a time set-aside just to spend quietly with God. Set a time to meet with him each day. Try to find a place with few distractions where you will be able to concentrate on talking with God, listening to him and reading the Bible.
God is with us throughout the day and we can talk to him anywhere, anytime. But our lives are filled with distractions. There are so many other things that demand our attention that we need a time set-aside just to spend quietly with God. Set a time to meet with him each day. Try to find a place with few distractions where you will be able to concentrate on talking with God, listening to him and reading the Bible.
- Come expecting to meet with God. He is present here with you.
- Come to him as you are. Don’t let your mood swings dictate your relationship with him.
- Be honest with him. Confess your sins to him. God is big enough to handle anything you can bring him and already knows your actions, thoughts and motives anyway!
- Think rightly about God. He loves you more than you can possibly imagine! He is good and holy, righteous and just. Believe it and act in accordance with truth.
- Come before him humbly. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6. Be still before him and listen to him.
- Ask God to help you understand and apply his Word to your life. Read his Word with the intent to obey him and align your life with him.
Memorize God’s Word
Memorizing God’s Word is a great way to actively engage in the process of life change that God wants to bring about in you. We have prepared eight verses for you to memorize in this guidebook. Let God’s Word wash your mind and penetrate every area of your life.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:11.
Memorizing God’s Word is a great way to actively engage in the process of life change that God wants to bring about in you. We have prepared eight verses for you to memorize in this guidebook. Let God’s Word wash your mind and penetrate every area of your life.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:11.
Navigating the Bible
We have prepared the following tool to help acquaint you with the Bible and how to find your way around in it. Using your Bible, please follow the instructions below.
We have prepared the following tool to help acquaint you with the Bible and how to find your way around in it. Using your Bible, please follow the instructions below.
- Turn to the Table of Contents in the front of your Bible.
- Notice that the Bible contains two main sections: the Old and New Testaments (testament means a covenant or agreement between God and mankind).
- The Old Testament spans from the account of creation to about 400 years before Christ. The books of the Old Testament (OT) are arranged by type of literature – not chronologically.
- Genesis through Deuteronomy are the five books written by Moses. Sometimes we also refer to them as the Law or the Pentateuch.
- Joshua through Esther comprise the twelve historical books of the OT.
- Job through Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) represent the five poetic books of the OT.
- Isaiah through Daniel we call the five major prophets of the Bible – major in the sense of the length of the book, not importance.
- Hosea through Malachi represent the twelve minor prophets – minor in terms of length, not importance.
- The New Testament (NT) spans from Jesus’ birth to nearly the end of the first century AD. The NT is laid out as follows:
- Matthew through John make up the four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- Acts records the beginning and expansion of the church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to God the Father.
- Romans through Philemon are 13 letters written by the apostle Paul to various churches and followers of Christ.
- Hebrews through Revelation are nine letters written to early followers of Christ by other apostles including: James, Peter, Jude, and John.
- Now, looking at the Table of Contents, find the Gospel of John in the NT and turn there using the page numbers.
- Each book of the Bible has a numbered reference system that enables us to locate specific passages more easily. The numbering system contains chapters, which are further broken down into verses. For instance John 3:16 refers to the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16. Go there now.
- Try looking up Romans 5:8 and Philippians 1:6 and read those verses.
- As you develop a regular habit of reading the Bible, you will become more and more familiar with navigating it. Meanwhile, use the Table of Contents and ask others for help. If your Bible has a concordance in the back of it, you can also look up passages using a key word.
- When you read the Bible, come to it with an attitude of expectancy in meeting with God!
- Ask him to help you understand his Word.
- Read the Bible with the intent to align your thoughts and lifestyle with God’s design for you.
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