The devil would like you to believe you are not smart enough to study the Bible on your own. But he is wrong.
Studying the Bible – You ARE Smart Enough!
In our American culture, it is easy to become soft or dumb. If something is hard, we wish to wiggle our way out of it. If it doesn’t come on a sugar-laden spoon, we simply don’t want to partake of it. Or we are made to believe it is too complicated and that we are too stupid to figure it out. We must leave it for someone who is smarter.
Neither one is right. God has given us a brain and we should use it – in everything. Even if something is hard, we should still try. I am guilty of negligence in this in many things concerning my husband’s side of the home. He wants me to learn some information about the vehicles so I know when something is falling apart! It is hard for me to grasp the inner workings of an engine . . . it honestly is not my nature to wrap my mind around transmissions and power steering pumps. But I am still learning the importance of paying attention when he speaks – even though it is still a work in progress.
The same is true with the Scriptures. You won’t study just like your sisters around you. It might come harder for you so you find that it is the simpler verses you navigate towards. Or you might be the one that finds herself skimming over the simple verses and really intrigued with the ones that take lots of thought and digging to discover what God has hidden there.
But the fact that both types of women are relying on the Spirit to enlighten the Word of God is precious beyond measure! It’s when people begin to rely too much on what they find in devotionals, articles, or great speakers . . . that the danger lies. We must know how to study the Word of God so that we can take these ideas we hear back to the Scriptures to see if they are true.
I also firmly believe that your spiritual authority is key in helping you interpret Scripture. My husband is so valuable to me in this! We discuss many topics – Scripture included. We women can get hung up on petty issues or running down rabbit trails. And if we are honest, we will realize how easily we can be deceived. But if we have a concern or question regarding Scripture – especially regarding something we believe is a new concept or idea, we need to run it past our authority figure. This would be either your husband (if married), your father, your minister, or even a wiser, older person in your life. If this person is not Christian or you have watched their life and words and this person does not follow Scripture, you will need to find a solid, older person who meets those requirements.
We were not made to be little islands – we need the brothers and sisters in the church. My husband even does this with his own major concerns. He will take it to the bishop and ask his opinion.
So grab your notebooks and Bibles, ladies. You ARE smart enough to do this.
Exegesis. You will find this word mentioned in topics on Bible study. And you might be thinking “say what?!” This word simply means “an explanation or critical interpretation of a text”. In Biblical exegesis, this would be interpreting or explaining Scripture.
I am going to give you several resources and links that I like to use personally in studying – as well as my three main methods of studying. And we will follow that up with a video on how to use the program E-sword. This is something I’ve been teaching the children how to use when studying the Scriptures.
My Personal Study Methods
Fill Up My Cup
This method is one I like to use when I have been feeling like so much is going out of me – and not much coming back in. Have you ever felt this way? You give and give, you teach and teach . . . and then find your cup is empty. I especially love to go to church during those times – it’s a blessing to sit under someone’s teaching and feel God filling my cup to overflowing.
For this way of reading the Bible, it is very simple. I start with a notebook, pen, and my Bible. Many times I will be in Psalms since they are so refreshing and full of praise to God. But as I read, I will find a verse or verses that speak directly to me and what is going on in my life. Then I will write the verses down. Very simple. But it is amazing that when I look back through my notebook, I will see a journey that takes place in my heart. Just by reading the verses I wrote down. God was working!
Gather Me Some Goodness
I began this way of studying quite a few months ago. I purchased a 5-subject notebook with dividers. My main purpose for this was that I would hear lots of people say “this is what God says about prayer” or “this is how you should be hearing God”. But I wanted to see what exactly the Bible said – and I didn’t want to forget it! I wanted it available at my fingertips.
So as I go through my week, especially during our Sunday sermons (which are so precious to me), I will listen carefully. If the topic is one that I have put into my notebook, and I hear or read a verse pertaining to it, I will jot it down and put it in my notebook later. Or as I am reading my devotions, and come across a verse directly for that subject, I will slip it in there as well.
Think of it as a basket of ripe and juicy grapes. You are gathering all through the day and week – these morsels of goodness. And then I put them all in my basket.
It makes it easier, when I have a question or am approached with a question, to have a place to turn to that came straight from the Word of God. Not through man’s filtering.
The Meat of Scripture
This is the method that takes lots of time and effort – but is so worth it. I enjoyed school as a kid and this is my version of school as an adult.
You will find this method uses more commentaries, concordances, etc. I don’t even have a particular order to this – but it is good to start with a background to the book I am working in. My Bible has great info on the history, timing, and audience of the book. Maps are another awesome way to put it all together. And getting a feel for the context of the passage you are studying is essential.
Some good questions to ask yourself:
- Who is the author talking to?
- Where did this occur in history?
- What are the previous chapters speaking of? (we don’t want to take things out of context)
Once you have a good picture of the book and chapter, read through the text. Usually I will think I know what it means, but then I like to check several commentaries. And looking up the Hebrew and Greek definitions is something I rarely skip. That, to me, is important! I want to know what the word meant to the author at the time he was writing it.
Cross-referencing the text to other parts of the Scripture is another good way to explain it. Scripture will never contradict itself. Once I have thoroughly studied it, I like to then write down my definitions that I found and an overall explanation of the text.
There is not just one perfect way to study Scripture. God made us all different in the ways we process information. But the key is to ask the Spirit to guide you in your study of it!
Resources
- Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – This is my #1 resource. I like to know what the original text meant and this concordance gives that to you. It is all the words in the King James Version Bible defined in the Greek and Hebrew text.
- Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – This book is excellent to use alongside Strong’s Concordance. It takes the meanings of the words listed in the concordance and explains them in our language. It includes Strong’s numbering system.
- Nave’s Topical Bible – This is a book that I do not personally have on my bookshelf, but I do have it downloaded in E-sword. Sometimes it helps to find a few quick references according to topic and this book is good for that.
- Cross References – This is interpreting or explaining Scripture with other Scripture. You take a verse and look up other verses related to it, to see if it helps explain the original verse. If you want to do this online, here is an excellent site for finding cross references. However, lots of Bibles come with a couple referencing verses already located within the center margin of your Bible. Example in the photo:
- Maps, Geography, Culture – Many Bibles come equipped with several maps. However, I am hoping to get this book to help the children (and even me) to picture where things happened in the Bible, as well as the background and culture that affected its characters: Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas with Biblical Background and Culture. I love knowing the history, geography, and culture of the Biblical settings! Also, in the Life Application Study Bible (which we use) you will find excellent introductions to each book, as well as character profiles on well-known Bible figures. These introductions are invaluable with their information on dating the book, overview, intended audience, etc.
- e-Sword – I have mentioned this already, but if you want to study digitally – this is an excellent tool. It is built for laptop/desktop. I love using this and will show you how in the video. {FREE download}
- MySword Bible app – This is a very similar version to eSword – only it is made for a smartphone. Very handy! {FREE app}
Now for the video!
Hopefully these are just a few suggestions to help you ladies realize that, yes, you CAN do this! The Scripture was inspired by God and He continues to send it out – accomplishing His will. May He make it prosper in your heart and mind!
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth:
it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
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Regina S says
Thanks Kendra! This is a really great post because some folks think one has to spend years in seminary to understand and study the Word. I’m going to check out the resources you mentioned.
Kendra says
I agree…we do not need special knowledge to understand the Bible! That is what is so beautiful about it…it speaks to all ages, even children.