Bible Study Help

Many people read there bible but do not know how to study it. I came across this bible study guide and thought that I would just copy and paste it. You can go to www.air1.com if you want to know what website I went to.

Here is the bible study guide:

How to Study the Bible


The Psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."(Psalms 119:105 NLT) His word lights the way, giving direction for each step (“for my feet”) and giving wisdom for long-range plans (“for my path”). Let God’s word guide, correct, instruct, lead, teach, and confirm, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 NLT)

Practical:

Start with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of the truths you’re reading and for a greater hunger for God’s word. See Psalms 5:3

Make a commitment to regularly spend time in God’s word. God commanded Joshua to “meditate on it day and night”See Joshua 1:8

Have a plan, a systematic approach to your study. It’s a lifetime endeavor so approach it with purpose. Our random, “God give me something today” approach while flipping open the Bible is not the best consistent plan. See Psalms 119:15

Make it a priority by scheduling it into your day. The “if I have time today” approach doesn't seem to work. Something always seems to squeeze it out. See Psalms 90:12

Have a notebook close at hand to write insights gleaned from your study. See Proverbs 2:3

Meditate on a text, read and reread. Meditate on it throughout the day, memorize key verses. See Psalms 119:48

Conclude in prayer. Ask the question, “How will I be different today because of what I have just read?” Then ask God help you to live it out. See Ephesians 4:16

Principles:

These are some principles of interpretation to keep in mind as we are admonished, “Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”(2 Tim 2:15 NLT)

Start with your favorite translation of the bible when studying and not a paraphrase.

NOTE: A "translation" attempts to communicate word-for-word from the original language. A "paraphrase" takes the meaning of a verse or passage of scripture and attempts to express the meaning in the “plain language” of today.

Let scripture interpret scripture: Consider all of God’s word in regards to any topic. Refrain from isolating one verse and building a doctrine or position.

Context is important – interpret a passage in the light of its context. Context is the portions of scripture surrounding the passage being studied, both before and after it.

Language can be tricky. Interpret according the correct meaning of the words. Some words change their meaning over a period of time. Use a bible dictionary to understand the original meaning and the grammar of a sentence.

What's the intention? Ask yourself “Why did the author write the text?” Knowing the purpose of the writing can help in interpreting texts.

Interpret the scripture in the light of the historical, geographical and cultural background as far as can be known. There are many reference books that will help you in this process.

With the help of reference books search out the literary form of a passage. Is it a narrative, poetry, teaching, prophecy, etc?

While studying look for repeated words and phrases. These can have great significance in a passage.

Personal:

There are many tools and techniques available at your local Christian bookstores to aid and enhance personal Bible study. One such tool is called “journaling” and consists of systematic daily bible reading, along with writing a journal following the acronym S.O.A.P.

S FOR SCRIPTURE

Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your bible next to the scriptures that stand out. When you are done, reread the verses you marked, look for one that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O FOR OBSERVATION

What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words in your journal.

A FOR APPLICATION

Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P FOR PRAYER

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Then, write it down.
Resources:

Many of these resources can be bought at your local Christian Book store or even checked out at your local library.

A bible dictionary will define the meaning of a word in the original language.
A concordance will help you locate other passages that contain the same word.
Commentaries illustrate how other men of God have interpreted a specific text.
Other bible translations or paraphrases: reading text stated in a different way may allow for a greater understanding of the passage.
There are many online resources to enhance your study and provide tools to dig deeper into God’s word and enrich your study. Here are just a couple to get you started:
http://www.klove.com/Interact/Links.aspx
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.studylight.org/

May God’s blessing be upon you as you endeavor to be a faithful follower of Jesus, living out the command, “Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.”(Joshua 1:8b NLT) And may the promised blessing be yours; “…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9 NLT)

Mike

I? rebuke you Satan?

I decided to write on the topic of people rebuking the devil(Satan). I have heard of people rebuking Satan and no matter what happens negetively in their life, it is the devil! So the answer: rebuke the devil! I don't think so. I am going to dig into scripture to see what the Bible says about this topic. Should we rebuke Satan? Lets find out!

First off, I just want to raise the question about Satan. Can Satan be everywhere at once(omnipresent)? Satan is a fallen angel (Rev 12:9). We know from the bible that angels are powerful. Also, Satan is called the prince of this world (John 21.31). As Christians, what do we do about this? Does the bible tell us to rebuke the devil and do battle with him mono-e-mono? Praise the Lord NO!

The devil has power abslutely. Just look at the sinful world we live in. A few verses came to mind:

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

These two verses really help me understand that God is greater than Satan and if God is for us(believers), who can be against us? Did you notice that Rom 8:31 is in reference to Gods power and not ours. Just because God is for us does not mean that by our own might we are ready to do battle against Satan, demons, or the spiritaul realm. If it is you(me) against the devil by our own power, we are going to loose.

God limits Satans power and God will allow Satan to do certain things in this world. Will God allow Satan to test believers? Absolutely. The book of Job is a great story in how a man that was walking with the Lord was tested, it was said that Job was blameless (Job1:1). In Job Chapter 1, notice that Satan and his demons have access to Heaven and to God (Job1:6). God and Satan are having a conversation about Job. Satan try's to tell God that Job only follows God because He has blessed Job. God allows Satan to test Job but only allows Satan to do certain things (Job1:12). Chapter 1 and 2 go on to tell the story about God allowing Satan to test Job. When it looks like Job has been cursed by God, Job still did not blame God (Job1:22). Satan continues to test Job in Chapter 2 and God allows it. Job continued to love the Lord and in the end of the book of Job, God blessed Job with two fold what he had before (Job42:10). Why did God allow this? He was doing a work in Job all along to bless him in the end. Job had no idea that a conversation was going on with Satan and God about him. God allowed it to happen in the end to further bless Job, build his faith, let Satan fail, and for God himself to get the glory.

That was only one example of how God will allow us believers to be tested and God will allow us to be tested by satan. The Bible speaks about this subject many times and all you have to do is read your bible for more examples.

So God allows Satan to test believers. Job not once rebuked Satan. Job's friends were trying to convince him of many reason of why he was going through a bad season (if you will). God in the end told Job his friends were wrong.

So what? Job didn't rebuke Satan big deal. Maybe he should of! If that is what you are thinking, I want to draw your attention to the book of Jude. This is powerful 1 chapter book. Read it slowly! Jude 1:9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!". Wow. That is powerful.

Michael, a big huge powerful archangel, a warrior angel, is having a conversation with Satan over the body of Moses and did not dare rebuke Satan but said, "The Lord rebuke you". If you didn't know, angel are more powerful than us and Michael is probably one of the most powerful warrior angels. Even he understands that it is not by his own power but by the Lord's power.

So if we cannot rebuke the devil by our own power what do we do? I would suggest that do not be children of darkness but be children of light. Too many christians focus on the devil and "I rebuke you satan!". I would suggest focussing on the Lord. Here is some scripture to help you out.

James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Eph 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

The answer is always the Lord. Submit to God and His Word and He will be faithful. Eph 6:12 tell us:

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world force of this darkness, against spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places}.

So oh no! The bible tells us not to rebuke Satan but that we struggle against dark spiritual forces. That simply means that some things that are going on in our life might have a spiritual significance in the spiritual realm in eternity or things that we cannot comprehend or understand. Need an example? Just like in the book of Job. Job didn't have a clue what was really going on.

What should we do? There could be spiritual things going on that I cannot comprehend, I cannot rebuke the devil/demonic forces, I am powerless, and subject to the be crushed if I am left to defend myself by my own power.

The answer: Jesus!

For our power and might does not come from ourselves but from God. Just as Michael the archangel's power came from the Lord and not himself. I want to leave you with letter you know how to combat spiritual attacks.

Put on the armor of God!

Eph 6:10-19
V10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armory of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19

What is the Armor of God?
Belt of truth (v14) - Commit to live your life God's way.
Breastplate of Righteousness (v14) - Live holy today.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (v15) - Relish our peace with God.
Sheild of Faith (v16) - Unwavering trust in His Word and promises.
Helmet of Salvation (v17) - Looking to the future in Heaven.
Sword of the Spirit (v17) - Thorough the understanding of God's word.

How do you put on the armor? V18-19 Prayer! Pray for the spiritual needs of others and the evangelistic efforts of other believers!

In a spiritual battle put on the Armor of God and who is victorious in a spiritual battle? V10 The Lord fights victoriously and Satan does not listen to us. Notice our power comes from the Lord and by his might we are victorious.

In the end, whatever you are going through, put on the armor of God, pray, read your bible, give all the glory to God.

Give glory to the Lord,
do all things unto the Lord, and
praise his name in all things!


Mike

Bringing up your children in the way of the Lord.

Recently, I have started doing a bible study with the family immediately after dinner or right before bed as an alternative. This idea came from a friend. Right after him and his wife finished dinner, he grabbed the bible that was right next to the dinner table to read a little bit in the bible.

What a cool idea to start at the beginning and read to the end with the family at the dinner table. That idea has bless my family so much. I highly recommended that right at the dinner table you start reading the word towards the end of a the meal. If this is not doable the alternative is before bed. Just carve out some time specifically before bed or better yet after dinner!

Cassie and I definitely talk to the kids about God, prayer, and church regularly. We even do devotion's with them and pray daily. BUT! There is a huge difference between prayer, church, and actually going through the bible with them. Any church goer that has been a christian for a while knows the power of the word. 

Since we started in Gen 1:1 the kids have had several good questions that might have not come up in a kids devotional book. 

I just want to leave you with a few verses on this subject:

Deu 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

* This verse is letting us know that we just don't take our kids to Sunday school and call it good but that as parents we should teach them continuously.

Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

*Ever wonder if you child is going to stray from the faith? There is a promise from God's word. 

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

*Dad's and husbands - it all starts with you. Be the spiritual leader in your home. 

This is not an alternative to seeking the Lord early in the morning but rather another great time to include Jesus. Jesus was always seen eating in the Gospels so why not include him at the dinner table? Even if you do not have kids that doesn't mean you can include Jesus at the dinner table.

God Bless

Mike

Helpful hints with Proverbs

Proverbs:

A teachers manuel of wise sayings.

Proverbs teach universal or general truths in a didactic form and they express great truths in capsule form (simple but profound).

Types of Proverbs:

A. Synonymous

Pride goes before destruction

A haughty spirit before stumbling (16:18)

B. Antithetical

A merciful man does himself good,

But a cruel man does himself harm (11:17)

C. Synthetic

He who conceals hatred has lying lips

He who spreads slander is a fool (10:18)

D. Comparative 

Like cold water to a weary soul

So is good news from a distant land (25:25)

E. Absurdity

Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom

When he has no sense? (17:16)

F. Classification

The naive believes everything,

But the prudent man considers his steps. (14:15)

I hope the about helps with proverbs. The reference for the above is Old Testament Survey Notes by Ed Hindson.

Mike

Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry

Here are a few things I learned in my Bible class. This really helps me understand Hebrew poetry better. I hope this outline helps. 

A. Synonymous parallels (same thought)

Wine is a mocker

Strong drink is a brawler (Prov 20:1)

B. Antithetic parallels (opposite thought)

A wise son gladdens a father

A foolish son grieves his mother (Prov 10:1)

C. Synthetic Parallels (thoughts build)

He is like a tree planted by streams

That yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither

In all he does, he prospers (Psa 1:3)

D. Exemplar parallels

Iron sharpens iron

As one man sharpens another (Prov 27:17)

E. External-Internal parallels

1. Hear the Word of the Lord

2. Rulers of Sodom

1. Give ear to the Law of the Lord

2. People of Gommorah

TO REFERENCE THIS OUTLINE - OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY NOTES BY ED HINDSON

Mike

The Spirit Guiding Us

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

On a busy day oat an airport, tone man was particularly rude. He had more bags than allowed, they were overstuffed, and the skycap mentioned this to him. He demanded that his bags be checke. The skycap went about his business, and the man didn't give him a tip. A couple standing next in line said to the skcap, "you certainly seemd cool. That man was so rude to you, it's hard to believe you didn't retaliate." The skycap smiled and said, "No big deal. That man's going to New York, and his bags are going to Brazil." The skycap had total control over the bags. In the same way, the Holy Spirit not you or me changes the eternal destiny of people. (Ref - Introduction to Evangelism by Alvin Reid p166). 

I read this and thought it was good story. We may be on a journey but ultimately the spirit will guide us according to His will. 

Mike

I wanted to start this blog to share bible study tips, guides, notes, and my own person bible studies. I have been a Christian for several years and I currently go to Athey Creek Christian Fellowship. It is a non-denominational church in Tualatin Oregon. One of the reason I really enjoy my church is that it is biblically based and it is a through the bible study (book by book, chapter by chapter). Going to a through the bible church means that we don’t skip over any subjects that could be missed. I am not against topical churches but I would just rather attend a through the bible type of study.

The main purpose of this blog is to help those who are interested be able to study the bible better on their own. For some the bible can be confusing and I have met people who try to read it to eventually give up because they do not understand. As I go through my own person study I will post topics and other helpful stuff as I study.

Also I am attending Liberty University through their distance learning program. As I learn certain helpful things and as I write certain papers I feel that would be helpful I will post them. Please feel free to comment or ask a question.

Mike