God’s Word is the most widely owned book in America today. The Barna Research Group has reported that nine out of ten Americans own a Bible, yet I don’t know many people who would argue that the Bible is being read and studied by those nine out of ten Americans today. God’s Word says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” yet so few are turning on the light to illuminate their hearts and homes today.
Just as most Americans own a Bible, most Americans also have electricity and lights in their homes and cities today. Can you imagine what life would be like in America if no lights came on when darkness covered the land? No streetlights. No car lights. No lights in stores or homes or schools where night classes meet. If none of us took the time to flip a switch on the lights that illuminate our land then we would be in big trouble. We would be stumbling around in the dark, running into things, wrecking our cars, knocking items off store shelves, and trying to feel our way around in the dark. We would all be black and blue from head to toe as a result of our decision to fumble around in the dark. Owning a lamp and actually turning it on so that we don’t stumble and fall are two different things isn’t it?
I would suggest to you that spiritually America is living without the light on. When it comes to living life, making decisions that will bless and not destroy, and walking in God’s will – we are tripping all over ourselves as we try to live without the guidance and insight of God’s Word.
Last week we began a two-week study on God’s Word. Our first week was spent talking about the history of God’s Word and it’s impact on individual lives, communities, and entire cultures. We searched the 119th Psalm for practical applications of God’s Word for everyday life. We learned that this old, old book is more relevant and powerful for giving guidance for living than any modern-day counsel.
At the end our study last week I shared with you that I wanted to take another week to lead us in a study of “how to study God’s Word.” There are more Bible study helps today for those who really want to understand God’s Word than at any other time in the history of the world. All you have to do is take a trip to your local Mardel’s or any other Christian bookstore and you will be overwhelmed with the endless rows of books that have been written to help people gain a better understanding of God’s Word.
Christian books are flying off the shelves. We may be going through an economic downturn in our country, but we are not so broke that we can’t buy the latest Christian bestseller from Max Lucado, Chuck Swindoll, T.D. Jakes, Beth Moore, or some other Christian author. With so many Christian books being sold across America you would think that we would see the fruit of our libraries in our lives.
I believe that the opposite is true. To have so many opportunities for gaining a better grip on God’s Word we sure are some confused folks when it comes to knowing the Word of God and applying it to our everyday life. Why is this? I would ask you to consider something this morning. I believe that a large part of our problem has come about because we are reading books about the Bible, but we are not reading the Bible itself. There is no substitute for daily Bible study. You can read every Christian magazine, website, and your favorite author, but if you and I are not searching the Scriptures for ourselves then we will lack understanding when it comes to God’s Word. The people of Into Thy Word ministries say,
One of the great tragedies of the Church today is fewer and fewer people are reading the Bible. Fewer and fewer people are living the life of being His disciples than ever before. We Christians today who are living in America tend to be more concerned with who is coming to our church and the numbers and less concerned with making disciples, to which we were called to do. When we asked people in our seminars why they did not study the Bible, most people responded with the typical responses of either “I do not have enough time” or “I do not understand it.”
We believe that the lack of Bible study and Bible knowledge is the root cause of the problems that most of our churches face. Our churches are riddled with conflict and strife when we are called to be a light in darkness, salt to a flavorless world, and a haven of rest. Yet, we choose to ignore our call and place our focus upon our selfish needs and quests, when it needs to be upon the foot of the Cross, Who Christ is, and what He did for us as revealed in His Word. (http://www.starwire.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID34418%7CCHID144516%7CCIID293310,00.html)
What is the passion of American Christians today? That is a great question because if we can identify our most passionate concern then we can better understand the state of the Church and the members of the Body of Christ today. I believe the people of Into Thy Word are onto something when they say,
We Christians today who are living in America tend to be more concerned with who is coming to our church and the numbers and less concerned with making disciples, to which we were called to do.
The Church in America is more concerned with gathering the masses than developing meaningful lives based on God’s Word today. The Body of Christ is passionate about building larger and larger sanctuaries instead of “building” disciples of men, women, boys, and girls. Erecting large edifices with a cross on top is not evidence that great souls are being formed for the Kingdom of God. It is only through a thorough study of God’s Word that lives can be truly transformed by the Spirit of God.
I want to take the rest of our time together this morning to share with you some basics of Bible study. There are many different methods of Bible study that you and I can utilize to gain a better understanding of God’s Word, but this morning I want to talk about “The Three ‘T’s’ of Bible Study.” I want to talk about tools, time, and basic techniques of Bible study so that we can begin to gain a better grip on God’s Word.
There is one step that you and I must always take as we study God’s Word regardless of what method we may use. The Bible teaches us that we can only understand the Bible as the Spirit of God opens our hearts and minds to His truth. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and said,
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
I hope you understood the implications of this verse. Paul says that the person without the Spirit of God doesn’t accept God’s teaching, they are foolishness to him or her. The Scripture also says that it is impossible for the person who doesn’t have the Spirit of God to understand God’s Word because it is only understood by the Spirit. This means that if the Spirit of God doesn’t reveal His truth to us then we will miss it every time.
In order for the Spirit of God to reveal His truth and God’s will to us we need to take two important steps: 1) Pray for understanding. 2) Meditate upon God’s Word. Regardless of the tools we might possess to help us understand, if the Spirit of God doesn’t open our hearts and mind then we will never fully understand God’s lessons for us given through His Word. You can spend the rest of your life studying the Bible and giving huge chunks of time to your study, but if the Spirit of God doesn’t reveal His truth to you then your time is wasted. You can master every method and fine tune every technique of Bible study known to humanity, but if the Spirit of God doesn’t teach you then you won’t learn a thing. Let’s take a look at Scripture to see why these two steps are the basis for all Bible study.
First of all we must pray for understanding. Take a look with me at John 16:12-14 where Jesus spoke to His followers.
12″I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:12-14 NIV)
Jesus says that the “Spirit of truth,” the Spirit of the living God will guide us into all truth and make known that truth known to us.
In 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, Paul wrote that God has given us His Spirit so that we may understand what God has freely given to us. Read with me from 1 Corinthians 2:12-14.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14 NIV)
In John 14:23-26, Jesus says that Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of everything that Jesus taught while He was here on the earth. What a blessing it is to know that we are not left to our own devices to discern God’s purpose for our lives and His truth revealed in His Word. Read with me.
23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:23-26 NIV)
The second step that we must take as we study God’s Word is to meditate upon the word. So many Christians read a verse or a chapter and close the book thinking that they know God’s Word. We must meditate on God’s Word. The word, “meditate” means to roll over and over again in our minds. Think about it. Ponder it. Ask questions of it. Allow the Spirit to lead us to a deeper understanding and an application of the Word in our lives.
In Joshua 1, God instructed Joshua, the new leader of Israel by saying to him,
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9 NIV)
In Psalm 119, the Psalmist praises God for His decrees, His teaching. He says that he “recounts” all of God’s laws, he meditates on His precepts, and he considers God’s ways. Read along with me.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:12-16 NIV)
In Psalm 119:48, the psalmist says,
48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:48 NIV)
Again in Psalm 119 we read about how important it is to meditate on God’s Word and its implications for our life.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. (Psalm 119:97-99 NIV)
Timothy was a young pastor and Paul was his mentor. What advice would an older pastor give to a young pastor to help him in his ministry? Great question. Take a look at 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV)
By meditating on God’s Word the Word gets planted deep in our hearts and the Spirit of God will recall those passages to help us, guide us, and convict us at the needed time. Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell once wrote,
To me the memorizing of Scripture has been an unfailing help in doubt, anxiety, sorrow, and all the countless vicissitudes and problems of life. I believe in it enough to have devoted many, many hours to stowing away passages where I can neither leave them behind me nor be unable to get at them. (Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell 1865-1940)
We must pray for understanding and meditate upon the Scriptures always, at all times, and with great conviction and passion so that the Word will effectively transform our lives.
Along with these important steps, we need a plan of action. What makes for effective Bible study? I want to share with you “The Three ‘T’s’ of Bible Study” in the time that we have remaining this morning.
First, let talk about tools. Like any good carpenter who sets out to build a house we need some tools to build a solid foundation for our faith. There are five key components that we need in our toolbox as we set out to study God’s Word. The five tools are 1) A good Study Bible. 2) A good concordance. 3) Bible maps. 4) Bible dictionary. 5) Solid biblical commentary. Let’s briefly talk about each one of our tools.
Study Bibles
There is no shortage of Bibles on the market today. Not all Bibles are alike when it comes to what they have to offer beyond the text of the Bible. Some Bibles have tools to help us gain a better understanding of God’s Word. A good study Bible will not only contain the Scriptures, but will also offer footnotes that will help to explain the verses, a concordance to help look up where words appear, Bible maps, a limited dictionary, and more. Some good Study Bibles are the NIV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Ryrie Study Bible, and the Quest Study Bibles. A good study Bible will provide a lifetime of solid study tools for any dedicated student of God’s Word.
Concordances
A concordance is another great tool that lists every word in the Bible and where it appears in Scripture. For example, if you were studying Philippians 4:19 in the New International Version of the Bible, and you read, 19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” You might be curious about the word “needs.” What kinds of needs does God meet? In what ways does the Bible use the word, “needs?” Where else in the Bible does the word appear? With a concordance you can look up the word “needs” and find every verse that contains the word. If you were using the Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance then you would find out that the word appears 25 times in the Bible.
The most well known concordance is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, but it is based on the King James Version of the Bible. So if you are studying any other translation of the Bible then you might find that the word is translated in some other way if you use the Strong’s Concordance to lead you in your study.
A concordance is a wonderful tool for doing “Word Studies.” You would be so blessed to do a study of the word, “Grace,” or “Encouragement,” or “Prayer.” A concordance will lead you to each place where these words appear in Scripture.
Bible Maps
Now, most of us aren’t into maps. As a matter of fact, we guys are allergic to maps. If any man denies this fact then just ask his family how many times he consulted a map on the last family vacation.
When it comes to Bible study maps are so helpful. During the past few months we have been studying Joshua in the Sunday school class I teach. Our student book has given us a wonderful map of the Holy Land during the time that Joshua and the Israelites conquered that land. It has really made our study come alive as we have read about their travels and battles and been able to pinpoint them on the map. Some really good books to help in this area are: Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Concise Bible Atlas, Moody Atlas of Bible Maps.
Dictionaries
There is nothing like a Bible dictionary to make the Bible come alive. There are a multitude of Bible dictionaries available, but some of my favorites are: Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Dictionary, New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Baker Theological Dictionary of the Bible.
Let me tell you what a Bible dictionary will do for you. You can read in your Bible about Paul the Apostle. You can read the 13 letters that Paul has written. You can find out some interesting things about Paul’s life. If you look up Paul in a Bible dictionary it will take all of the information gathered from the Bible about Paul’s life, the places he traveled, the cultures he worked within, and much more and bring them to you in one place. A Bible dictionary is a marvelous tool for helping us to dig deeper into the life and times of the people, places, and theology of the Bible.
Commentaries
Last of all, a good commentary can greatly enhance our study of God’s Word. If you have a Study Bible then you already have one commentary in the footnotes that are listed at the bottom of each page
Commentaries are very helpful if you want to study an entire book of the Bible. We are so blessed to have powerful Bible teachers throughout history that have left their work for us to use as we study God’s Word. If you decide that you want to buy a commentary you will need to thumb through it to make sure that you can easily understand what the author has written. Some commentaries are much more technical than others and have Hebrew or Greek included in them.
The second element of “The Three ‘T’s’ of Bible Study” is time. A person who studies the Word of God once a week is like an athlete who practices once a week and then expects to experience the thrill of victory. It just ain’t gonna happen. We need to set aside time every day to open God’s Word and drink deeply. Pick a time, any time, but pick some time during your day when you can be free from distractions and devote yourself to gleaning from God’s Word. For some, early in the morning is better. For others who don’t function so well in the morning, late at night is the best time to dig deep into God’s Word. For others they choose to use their lunch break to read God’s Word. All of the above are great! Just choose some time each day to get alone with God and allow Him to teach you from His Word.
The third aspect of “The Three ‘T’s” of Bible Study” is technique. The techniques or methods of studying the Bible are myriad. All of them have their benefits. You can do an inductive study, verse analysis, topical Bible study, Bible character study, ABC study, and on and on the list goes.
What I would like to do this morning is to give you six basic questions that you can ask any Scripture that will lead you into a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The questions are: 1) Who. Who is writing? Who are the people involved? 2) What. What is the context of the Scripture? What happened? What is the author saying to his readers? What ideas are being expressed? 3) Where. Where does this take place? 4) When. When did it take place? 5) Why. Why did the author write? Why did he write this statement? 6) How. How am I to apply this verse to my life?
I will promise you that if we will apply these basic steps and tools to our study of God’s Word then the Word will open before us with such great power and transforming truth that we will grow increasingly hungry for more and more of God’s Word.
Before we go this morning I want you to know that we don’t study God’s Word so that we can know more than the person next to us. We study God’s Word because it is the power of God unto salvation. Maybe you are one of those who has not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life? Won’t you invite Him into your heart this morning and begin a wonderful journey of faith with the Savior.
Online Study Aids
Studylight.org
Biblegateway.com
Bible.crosswalk.com
Blueletterbible.org
Bible.org
Biblemaster.com