The FireBible is full of tools to help you understand the Word of God. Some Have Not Learned to Rightly Divide It (2 Timothy 2:15). Did the Disciples Steal the Naked Body of Jesus? It is, much more fundamentally, a sacred book, addressed to believers, to be read with faith and love. Have you ever meant to read your Bible, only to get to the end of the day (or the … Relationships. He said, “It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day.” Yet only 26 percent of Americans said they  read their Bible on a regular basis (four or more times a week). Looking up words in the source language gives a depth of understanding you don’t get when just reading in English. A famous preacher once said that any true devotional reading of Scripture has to care about understanding what the text is actually saying to truly be devotional. So seek help to understand what you are reading. Those who are afraid they will find their sins in the Bible fail to realize that ignorance does not excuse (Romans 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). It's a ministry of the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth and help you understand. Engineering. I'll guide you through a big-picture, edge-to-edge reading with daily insights and a proven plan. I can't understand it. The Bible says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 3. Watch this video about one of the tools available for every book of the Bible in the FireBible. But the thought of reading the whole Bible intimidated me. As strange as it sounds, we need to put the Bible back into our religious curriculum. Understanding in a wondering world (Psalm 119:130). A great number of people do not know that the Bible is divided. This makes proper interpretation impossible. Bible study must become important enough to us that we make time for it. Permissions Evangelical number two says to an unbeliever, the natural (non-Christian) people cannot understand the things of God (the Bible) because they are spiritually discerned. FireBible Friday 5/7/21. I get it. Nor should it be something we do just to mark it off of our To Do List. Scripture speaks of those who are willfully ignorant (2 Peter 3:5). Related Videos. Many could not point to the Bible as authority for what they believe (cf. Similarly, he suggested, a person could read the Bible through, but unless the Spirit of God was permitted to enlighten the Word, it was just a compilation of lofty but abstract ideas. Was it impossible for God to give a book that the minds He created could grasp? By so doing, freedom is gained (John 8:32), faith is attained (Romans 10:17), access to the Father is sustained (John 6:44-45), man is perfected (2 Timothy 3:17) and the world neglected (2 Peter 1:3; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-­17). When you invite someone to read the Bible, make sure she understands she is not signing up for life. Meditate on the Bible. Reading and studying God’s Word equips us to better handle life’s challenges Avoiding a sin of omission (not reading the Bible) can prevent sins of commission: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Light in a darkening world (Psalm 119:130). 2:14). Genetics. Talk to others about … Only twelve percent read the Bible every day, and among these, the average time was only nine minutes a day. Giving Up on God? Some Minds Are Cluttered with Other Things. To ease my anxiety, I went to my local Christian bookstore with this thought: If I'm going to read the whole Bible, certainly I need a new Bible. That’s why Christians should try to read the Bible daily. Similarly, he suggested, a person could read the Bible through, but unless the Spirit of God was permitted to enlighten the Word, it was just a compilation of lofty but abstract ideas. Colossians 3:17). https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/top-5-places-to-start-reading-the-bible.html Religious people often do not study Scripture, relying instead on the traditions of their parents and the views of their preachers. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Matthew 24:15. As you approach the study of a book of the Bible, keep in mind that your primary responsibility is to understand God’s Word, not what people say about God’s Word. FireBible Friday 5/7/21. “Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20). There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you: 1. One must make a surrender of his life to Christ through personal repentance and faith, and then watch the ways in which all spiritual input is enhanced—church attendance, fellowship with other Christians and Bible reading. Their lack of knowledge about the Bible … Even among Bible readers, ignorance can remain if they fail to meditate on the Bible’s precepts (Psalm 1:2). So, you could say, I'm a pretty big fan of the good book. God wants us to desire (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2), dig into (John 5:39), divide (2 Timothy 2:15), discern and learn His Word (John 6:44-45). Fitness. No knowledge is as important as Bible knowledge. Christians possess the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) and Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) in written form. 5. As you read your Bible regularly, you will begin to understand more of it. Accounting. “Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20). The Holy Spirit can help you, and you will begin to see life from God’s perspective. . … He said that a person could well read the figures on a dial, but would obviously know nothing of the exact hour unless the sun was shining upon it. #firebiblefriday #firebible. The Bible condemns sins; therefore, sinners do not enjoy reading it. Not just reading what people say about the Bible. It is possible to understand the Bible. (1) Ask God for Guidance: Before beginning your Bible study, ask God to open your mind to better understand the Bible’s spiritual principles. If one misses this, he will never understand the Bible. James 1:22 says “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Simply reading the Bible is not enough. Messianic Lifestyle , Theology Feb 22, 2016 Messianic Lifestyle Feb 22, 2016 Read the Bible 2. Reading it in a modern version is very helpful. He does this through the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder that thirty-one percent said, “The Bible is too difficult to understand?”. One way of gaining a better understanding of the Bible is a critical reading technique called exegesis, “critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text, especially of the Bible.” It is analyzing the text in such a way that one draws out the information, morals, and messaging from the Bible. I have, and it always is embarrassing and has even led to some deep misunderstandings.   •   Topics: Bible. It is impossible to have a saving, strengthening Scripture knowledge without regular study (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15). Attend meticulously, carefully, attentively to the words themselves, because the words are going to form knowledge in your mind.” From Mind to Heart Matthew 15:10. If you're not … #firebiblefriday #firebible. We can remove these obstacles from our path and run the race to heaven (Hebrews 9:27). BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Jesus spoke of thorny-ground hearts where the seed of the Word was choked. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. Translations of the Bible… not only influenced literature but also shaped the development of languages.” Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 It is very common for people who decide to read the Bible for the first time to do the logical thing: start at the beginning and read to the end -- just like they would read most other books. The Bible is inerrant and it is completely sufficient for […] Math. My mind naturally thinks of “love” as affectionate or romantic, but that’s not what this verse means. 5. 1:32. Read Multiple Translations. Deeds of darkness do not enjoy exposure to light. Bible verses about reading the Bible Reading the Bible each day shouldn’t be a chore we dread doing. Look carefully at particular details. These points are briefly detailed below. The average per­son spends 7.5 hours sleeping, 7.1 working, 5.3 in leisure, 1.45 doing housework, 1.15 eating, and .3 hours grooming per day. Cards on the table: 1) I read the Bible -- not as much as I should, I'm sure, but still pretty regularly. Is the Bible that hard to understand? God expects all men to understand His word alike (1 Corinthians 1:10). Privacy Business. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Surely, there is time for God in there. We should study the Bible because it gives. Fifty-seven percent of those ages 18-28 read their Bibles less than three times a year, if at all. Instead, it is through the Bible that we get to know Jesus (John 5:39). Personally, I love to read my Bible at a local coffee shop, but I once read through the entire Bible while waiting in carpool lines. Some spend more time with Swindoll or Lucado than they do Peter and Paul. Not just attending topical Bible Studies. Moreover, I get paid to talk about the Bible with folks all across the country and have written a popular book to help people read the Bible with more confidence and enjoyment. If you are reading words or if you are hearing words and the words are just going by, he is saying: “Don’t let them go by. This book was recommended as a possible different way of reading the Bible that could ease my criticism. You might invite her to a one-time … People know more about more things than ever before. For example, I may read “For God so loved the world” in John 3:16 . Architecture. Home Read Proverbs to gain wisdom and strengthen your relationship with others. Film. It's clear throughout the Bible that God does not withhold his Spirit. You Simply Forget. This is he which received seed by the way side…. John Quincy Adams read four or five chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising. Remember, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit indwells you (Romans 8:9). History. You cannot understand the bible if you do not have a relationship with Him; God. Local: 704-401-2432 Many come to the Bible with their minds already made up as to what it says. Some Do Not Want to Understand It. images. #5 Learn To Read The Bible By Re-reading The Bible. We shall not profit fully from reading the … By BGEA Staff   •   Trying to understand the Bible can sometimes be a difficult task, but with God’s help, it is possible. Technology. Reading the Bible well begins with following the human author’s train of thought from one sentence to the next, not isolating nuggets or pearls on a string that simply seem exciting out of context, but pressing to understand the whole. Start by reading the Bible five minutes a day. Some Do Not Want to Understand It. I always recommend starting with a translation that is more literal (word … Genesis - I generally would not place a historical book of the Bible, like Genesis, as the best place to start but if you want to read through the entire Bible in chronological order, Genesis is the place to go. Stability in a floundering world (James 1:3-6). The first step is to read through the book you choose several times. We need to be able to understand … People know less about the Bible than their great grandparents who followed a plow around a field for twelve hours a day. All you need to do is ask God to give you understanding. 5. Some Do Not Study It. He is the one who revels Himself to you through the word thus the bible, and He cannot revel Himself to you if you’re not His Child or son. Do you ever read the Bible & not understand the context of what you are reading? When the Bible serves as an introduction to the Person of Christ, it is fulfilling God’s original design. Reading just the book of Matthew will not give you a complete understanding of Jesus’ life, although some of … I’ve discovered a number of practical considerations that may help you begin to read the Bible with non-believers. I have a very simple thing to ask of you. A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world who has deprived himself of a knowledge of the Bible . Since non-Christians are dead in trespasses and sins and the Holy Spirit does not live inside them, they cannot understand the Bible. The value of Bible reading is not in some magical return on time invested—like four blessings for every two chapters. We live under the New Law (Colossians 2:14). Computers. God knows that understanding the Bible takes work and prayer, but so often we want quick benefits from the Bible without putting in the necessary labor. Of Bible readers, 57 percent only read their Bibles four times a year or less. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. We spend thousands for a college education, but a free Bible education is undervalued. Not every Christian is called to read the whole Bible in one go, but a lot of people swing to the other extreme of barely reading their Bibles at all. If two understand the Word differently, at least one misunderstands. To God be the glory. Reading the Bible without understanding can be worse than not reading the Bible at all. Where you start depends on your personal goals. Hebrews describes God's Word as livingand active(Hebrews 4:12). It can also answer questions you have as you strive to live a life that pleases Him. There have been times where I have read the Bible, got completely lost and had to flip back and re- read what I just read. There are a dozen basic rules for effective Bible study. Do you ever read the Bible & not understand the context of what you are reading? The Bible condemns sins; therefore, sinners do not enjoy reading it. Why? Ecology. Approval in a rejecting world (2 Timothy 2:15). Reading the Bible … It was an old English clergyman who suggested an apt comparison between the Bible and a sundial. Reading and Understanding the Bible. Remember, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit indwells you (Romans 8:9). Men can understand the Bible! With the "weaponizing" of scripture came a closer look at how it is used for science, biology, anthropology; etc. One must make a surrender of his life to Christ through personal repentance and faith, and then watch the ways in which all spiritual input is enhanced—church attendance, fellowship with other Christians and Bible reading. The Bible itself instructs this very thing (Ephesians 1:13). In "Understanding the Bible" Robert L. Plummer provides us with a wonderfully concise read that will enable us to teach the Bible well. This list is in no particular order. In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul tells us that we can only understand the things of God … Botany. Genesis 3:1-4; Matthew 4), fools (Psalm 14:1) and false teachers (John 9:34) are recorded. Pray for understanding. The FireBible is full of tools to help you understand the Word of God. June 1, 2004 The words of Satan (cf. This is not Bible study, it's Bible reading. For more information, read the article The Rules of Effective Bible Study. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. My greatest fears were failure to finish and not being able to understand what I read. Deeds of darkness do not enjoy exposure to light. Further, one must always consider who is speaking to understand the Bible. Above all, view it as a personal love letter opening up an exciting relationship that gets better with the passing of time. We do not expect to learn math, English, science, history or literature without cracking a book. The Bible’s message is too important for anyone to try to understand on his own by private Bible reading. Art. The Bible is not the book many American fundamentalists and political opportunists think it is, or more precisely, what they want it to be. I'm not sure yet whether my old love of scripture will return; but I'm finding it … The Bible is God’s Word to us. One of those thorn bushes was the “cares of this world” (Matthew 13:22). We begin June 5th. Medicine. You know the value of God’s Word, but you struggle with loving the Bible because it can be hard to read and understand. Mistake #3 – Reading the Bible and Not Internalizing What You Read Problem : If you’ve ever read any kind of book, then you know that you’re likely to read parts of it mindlessly . . A person can be intellectually qualified and educationally equipped to read and understand the Bible, but if his heart is not spiritually alive then he will fail to truly benefit from reading the Bible. Twelve Rules of Bible Study. But not everybody feels the same way, and for some it can be hard to get into, not because they don't have the heart to but because they have physical conditions like dyslexia that make it hard for them. If we wear sunglasses, the world looks dark. Always observe the context. I’ve been struggling with this problem a lot because the busyness of everyday life makes it tempting to open my Bible app, skim a devotion and a couple of verses, and be on my not-so-merry way. Economics. Scripture speaks of those who are willfully ignorant (2 Peter 3:5). That means that you’re just reading that book for the sake of getting … Watch this video about one of the tools available for every book of the Bible in the FireBible. Not just listening to sermons and “messages.” But actually sitting down to read the Bible … Here are 4 ways to get more out of your reading: Read the Psalms, the Old Testament book of worship, to enrich your devotion to God. At times, I’ve read the Bible thinking that it is a story primarily about me. I can't understand it . Don’t let any of the words go by. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Truth is, we're not meant to understand everything in the Bible the first time we read it. Like the ancient Jews (Matthew 13:15), they make it fit their beliefs rather than fitting life to it. If we were, we could read it once and put it on our shelf. The bible is the word which is God. Having knowledge of all scriptures, not just a few verses, will help one understand more. A good example is found in the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Knowledge in a confusing world (Proverbs 2:6). So, I want to tell you why I believe reading and studying the Bible is so important. Christ’s words are hauntingly real in our generation, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matthew 22:29). Not every word in the Bible is a direct instruction of how I should live. 7 Encouraging Answers from Billy Graham, Why Studying the Bible Is So Important in 2020, In Changing Times: The Word of God Never Changes, Going Deeper in God’s Word: A Summer Bible Study to Share, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 The Bible is unlike any other book. Try to make sense of how its argument progresses. Read it out loud in one sitting. The Bible is no different. How to read the Bible: Pray before you begin. And also, as you read the Bible having something to refer back to as you progress in your Bible reading can really help you retain information. Trying to understand the Bible can sometimes be a difficult task, but with God’s help, it is possible. 1:32. When we put shades over our mind’s eye, the Gospel light becomes dim. Pray before you read. By helping us to master essential tools we need to engage in biblical interpretation that is biblical, we are better equipped to be useful and God-glorifying Bible teachers. Some Are Prejudiced against It. Memorize the Bible 4. It’s His message of love and forgiveness, and shows us how we can have eternal life. If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, we encourage you to do it today. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. It is alive and active. Music. There is an old and new covenant, the Law of Moses and the law of Christ, called the Old Testament and the New Testament in our Bibles. Doing so will give you a better understanding of the Bible as a whole. © House to House Heart to Heart. Good, moral people sometimes get too busy with family, food, finances, and fun to give the Word space to grow. The Bible is not merely: a work of literature or a collection of historical documents, although certainly it can be approached on that level. When I do that, I’m reading to understand myself and not God. Reading the Bible is a joy for Christians because they get to immerse in God's Word and understand more about Him and His Kingdom. It's a ministry of the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth and help you understand. Contact Us. The Bible is not a book that a hurry-up bed­time chapter or a newspaper-style glance can do much good. Related Videos. You have entered an incorrect email address! Woodrow Wilson said. Study the Bible 3. Physics. ©2021 BGEA The Bible is God’s Word. Health. I ask every man and woman in this audience that from this day on they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their daily perusal of this great Book. 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