BISHOP'S STUDY CORNER

Bishop's tips for studying the Bible.

The ultimate purpose of our studying the Bible is to have a transformational encounter with God’s son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 

 

The Bible is not a humanistic toolkit of moral principles and practices. It is God-breathed revelation that has power to transform our character into the character of Christ. 

Tips for Studying the Bible

  1. ​Begin your study with prayer.
    Ask God for wisdom to help you understand what you read. Ask God to speak to you through the Bible.
  2. Choose a topic that is relevant to you.
    Follow the hunger in your heart (i.e. faith, love, courage, wisdom, strength, hope, etc.).
  3. You don’t have to start at the beginning of the Bible, but choose a version you can understand.
    You can start with the gospel story of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) or even Romans. While online Bibles are great for when you are on the go, I recommend a hardcopy Bible for your regular study so you can underline or highlight as needed.
  4. Journal daily what you learn from your time of studying the Bible.
  5. Read the Bible with someone else or share those passages with someone so they can read it on their own.
    This can easily be done online.
  6. Pause and listen to the Holy Spirit as you read.
    Reflect. Listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
  7. Look up or research what you don’t understand.
  8. Be consistent with your Bible reading plan.
    Don’t give up. Keep going.
  9. Share with someone else the revelation you are receiving from your study of the Bible.
    Sharing what you learn reinforces the lessons in your own heart.

Put on Your LENSES

PERSPECTIVE is what you see—viewpoint. 
PERCEPTION is how you interpret what you see. 

Your perspective (lens) through which you look determines what and how you see. 

Here are some lenses through which people interpret the Bible: 

  • The lens of culture (contemporary cultural values) 
  • The lens of doctrine (i.e. Calvinism [pre-destination], Arminianism [free will], etc.) 
  • The lens of inward mystical truth (treats the Bible as an allegory) 
  • The lens of political activism  
  • The lens of social justice 
  • The lens of moral principles 
  • The lens of truth from the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) 

QUICK TIPS:

#1

There are three key things you should seek from the Word of God: 

  • Revelation (What is God saying to me right now about this passage?) 
  • Interpretation (What does God mean by this?) 
  • Application (In light of this revelation, what should I do?) 

#2

As you study the Word of God, you will: 

  • See (signs of God’s love for you) 
  • Feel (moments of God’s deep love for you) 
  • Know (thoughts of God’s purpose for you) 

#3

Don’t just read the Bible; search it for something. Ask questions before reading, so that you will get more out of your reading.  

Ask: 

  • Is there a confirmation here to something God has been speaking to me? 
  • Is there a word I am to be equipped with for someone in my path?  
  • Is there a behavior or association I need to abandon? 
  • Is there a lesson to learn? 
  • Is there a new truth/revelation to take with me? 
  • Is there a reminder of something God has told me to do or not do? 

#4

If God is silent, it is not punishment, it means: 

  1. He has already spoken to you, and you need to review and heed to what He has said. 
  2. He is trying to connect you to the right people who will add the perspective of the missing pieces. 

#5

The Bible is good to:   

  • Change you—D.L. Moody said: “The scriptures were not given for our information but our transformation.”
  • Convict you—Show you where you are wrong. Mark Twain wrote these words: “Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me most are those I do understand.”
  • Correct you—Teach you how to get it right.
  • Coach you—Teach you how to keep it right.

ACRONYMS

S.P.E.C.S

Put on your S.P.E.C.S. before you read God’s Word.  

See if there is a: 

  • Sin to confess
  • Promise to claim
  • Example to follow
  • Command to obey
  • Stumbling block to avoid 

H.E.A.R 

As you read the Bible, H.E.A.R it: 

  • Highlight—underline, circle, or highlight verses that stand out to you. 
  • Explain—look to understand and interpret what the Bible is saying (use study aids)
  • Apply what you learn. [Pinpoint when and how you will apply it.] 
  • Respond to the scriptures with prayer and thanksgiving. 

STUDY REFERENCES

Books to enhance your Bible studying.

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

By Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart is a guide to understanding and interpreting the Bible accurately. The book emphasizes the importance of reading Scripture in its proper context, considering literary genres, historical backgrounds, and original audience intent. It explains how different parts of the Bible—such as narratives, poetry, prophecy, epistles, and wisdom literature—should be approached with appropriate interpretive methods. Fee and Stuart also stress the role of exegesis (drawing meaning from the text) rather than eisegesis (imposing personal meaning onto the text). By providing practical tools for studying Scripture, the book equips readers to apply biblical truth effectively in their lives while avoiding common misinterpretations.

Purchase

How to Study Your Bible

By Kay Arthur

How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur is a practical guide to inductive Bible study, helping readers engage with Scripture deeply and personally. Arthur introduces the inductive method, which involves observation, interpretation, and application, encouraging readers to examine the text carefully, understand its original meaning, and apply its lessons to their lives. The book emphasizes studying the Bible directly rather than relying solely on outside interpretations, using tools such as marking key words, asking questions, and considering historical and literary contexts. Arthur also highlights the importance of prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance in understanding God’s Word. Designed for both beginners and experienced students, this book equips readers with hands-on techniques to cultivate a meaningful and transformative Bible study practice.

Purchase

The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

By James Strong

The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong is a comprehensive reference tool designed to help readers study the Bible in depth. It provides an extensive index of every word in the King James Version (KJV), allowing users to locate specific verses and understand the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek meanings through Strong’s numbering system. This expanded edition includes additional word studies, updated cross-references, and insights from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, enhancing biblical research. The concordance is particularly valuable for pastors, scholars, and serious Bible students seeking to explore the deeper meanings of Scripture, conduct word studies, and better grasp the original languages of the Bible without formal training.

Purchase

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

By W.E Vine

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E. Vine is a thorough resource that provides detailed explanations of key Hebrew and Greek words found in the Bible. Organized alphabetically, the dictionary offers a deep dive into the original meanings and nuances of words used in both the Old and New Testaments. Vine's work is aimed at helping readers understand the full range of meanings behind biblical terms, offering insight into their historical and cultural contexts. The book not only defines each word but also traces its usage across different Scripture passages, making it a valuable tool for in-depth Bible study, sermon preparation, and theological research. It’s a go-to reference for those looking to enrich their understanding of the Bible’s language and theology.

Purchase