Lesson 15: BIBLE STUDY
Apart from going to church to hear and learn more about Jesus Christ and what the Bible teaches, it is also important that we read the Bible ourselves, preferably each day, and let God speak to us personally and directly through it. If you do not already read your Bible regularly, there are three alternatives we would like to suggest:
First, start by reading through the whole of the New Testament, reading, say, one chapter each day. This only takes three or four minutes each day, but it is well worthwhile and will teach you God's Word. It also allows God to speak to you through it.
Second, ask at any Christian bookshop, the Bible Society, or Scripture Union, about what Bible reading notes they have available. They should be able to suggest a good Bible reading plan for you. Usually they publish small booklets containing a passage of Scripture to read each day, with a short commentary on it and a prayer or thought for the day. It is also a good idea to have a notebook in which you can write down, in a sentence or two, what you have learned or what God has shown you through your reading that day. Also write down any questions you might have – and see if you can find out the answers to them!
Third, some churches and Christian organizations offer simple Bible Correspondence courses. See if you can arrange to do one of these. Ask your minister, pastor or Christian friends if they know of any.
Perhaps you do not have a Bible, or find the one you have is difficult to understand. Your pastor or minister, Christian friends, Christian bookshop or Bible Society should be able to recommend a good translation for you. Most are available in paperback form so that they are not too expensive.
Some Bible Study books which I have written can be found by clicking the Online store tab. These cover some basic Christian topics and will help you in your understanding of the Bible and in your daily life.
The structure of the Bible
To help you understand how the Bible is arranged: it consists of 66 “books”, some of them quite long, and others very short. They are arranged in the following order:
The Old Testament:
Genesis – the story of the beginning, from Creation to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel).
Exodus to Malachi – the story of the nation of Israel. In the middle of this section there are some books of poetry and other teaching: Job to Song of Solomon.
The New Testament:
Matthew to John – the four Gospels which tell us about the life of Jesus on earth.
Acts – the story of the early Church.
Romans to Revelation – teaching for the Church throughout history (the past 2000 years).
QUESTIONS
- Why is it important for a Christian to read the Bible regularly? (Do you read it regularly?)
- The way of salvation and the Gospel are most simply explained in which book or books of the Bible? (Have you read these books?)
- Who can you go to if there are passages in the Bible which you find difficult to understand?
- To “meditate” is to think slowly and carefully over something, with God's help and inspiration. Meditate on Psalm 1:1-3 and see what God shows you.
- What do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 have to say about the Bible (“Scripture”)?
- What does Joshua 1:8 say about God’s Word?