The Study at Sainte Chapelle
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
One of the primary ways God speaks to us is through the words of Scripture. Growth in understanding and knowledge of scripture is an essential part of the Christian walk. Why? The Bible says it best:
Where should I start?
You can't go wrong, no matter where you start. There are many guides to Bible study, both in print and online. A commonly suggested starting pointis one of the Gospels, one of the first four books of the New Testament. The first three of them, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are called the "synoptic gospels," which means "common view." They are called that because there is a lot of similarities between the three. Of these, Mark is generally considered to be the oldest; its also the shortest. John's gospel is the most recent and contains many things not found in the others.
If you have a pressing question or an important issue in your life for which you need guidance, you may want to try a topical study of the Bible. Topical studies concentrate on a particular "topic" or word. To get started, you can use a concordance, or use the Bible search engine below. Just plug in the term and press the search button. If you don't get any results, try a related term or a different version.
It's your choice. The only way you can go wrong, is not to start at all!
Which translation should I use?
For many years, the King James Version, translated in the early 1600s, was the primary version used throughout the English speaking world. Since that time, many advances have occured in our knowledge of the ancient languages and many ancient manuscripts of books of the Bible have been found. An example of this is the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the middle of this century. Our language has also shifted and the meanings of some words have changed. The result is that there are newer translations that are more reflective of these advances in understanding and shifts in language. However, the King James is the Book that many of us are most familiar with. The best suggestion is to find a version that is comfortable for you, one that you can read and understand.
You can use the search engine below to compare several common translations. Just plug in a scripture reference, like Psalm 23, or John 3:16 and see how different versions translate the same text.
Is there anything else I need?
Yes! Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to what you're reading and to lead you into the truth that God wants to teach you. You'll be amazed at the life changing treasures you'll find in God's Word!
The Relationship Between Prayer and Bible Study
Prayer and Bible study are complimentary disciplines for Christians. Many times it is easy to spend time in prayer and neglect Bible study. It's important not to fall into this trap. The reason is that God speaks to us through the words of scripture. It is important to have a balance of speaking to God and listening to God speak to us. Both are important.
As you spend time with God's word, you may find the distinction between prayer and Bible study begins to blur. The word of Scripture may lead to prayer as it reminds you to intercede, confess, praise, or offer thanks. You may find yourself praying the scriptures, which is a venerable part of the Christian tradition of spirituality.
I can't get any where with this! What should I do?
Don't give up! Find a translation that is "user friendly." Pray for God to speak to you as you read and study. Don't worry if you don't get very far, a few verses that are relished and meditated on are better than chapters that are rushed through. Be patient and keep at it. It will come, I promise!
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by Larry Holder.