Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 1)

Steps to Effective Bible Study (Part 1)

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

1905

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”(Psalm 119:18 ESV)

Studying God’s Word will change your life if you put what you learn into practice. But it all starts with your willingness to study his Word.

The Bible says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law”(Psalm 119:18 ESV).

God has so much he wants to show us, but we must be willing to look into his Word with open eyes.

So how should we study God’s Word? Effective Bible study, no matter what Bible study method you use, has five parts. I’ll look at two today and three tomorrow.

1. Ask the right questions. Learning to study the Bible is learning to ask good questions from the text. There’s no limit to how many questions you can ask of the Bible, because there’s no limit to its wisdom and insight. The deeper you dig, the more gold you’ll find.

Asking questions of the text you’re reading will help you look at the text through a whole new set of eyes. Suddenly, every time you pick up God’s Word to study it, new truths will jump out at you.

2. Write down your observations. Never study the Bible without pen and paper in hand (or a keyboard if you prefer). When you ask your questions and find your answers, write down what you learn. You can read the Bible without writing something down, but you can’t study it.

Dawson Trotman, who was the founder of the Navigators ministry, used to say, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and the fingertips.” In other words, if you can’t say it and you can’t write it, then you haven’t really thought about it. Even if you don’t see anything in the verse, write down that you don’t see anything. Just the act of writing that down will open up new thoughts.

Talk It Over

• Consider the place where you study God’s Word each day. How does it help or hinder your focus?
• To whom can you take your questions about the Bible? With whom can you share the insight God reveals to you?
• What tools do you need to make it easier to write down your observations during Bible study?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRQp1bUJkBE

Vision for Increase

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
Proverbs 29:18, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

God wants His people to be the most blessed! He wants His people to constantly increase so they can live as an example of His goodness. But in order to partake of everything He has in store for us, we have to be open to what He wants to do in our lives. We have to have a vision for increase. If you’re not expecting favor, or if you are just satisfied with where you are, then you will live below your privileges. But if you will get a vision for increase, a vision for who you are as a child of the Most High God and what He wants to do in your life, you’ll see supernatural opportunities, favor and increase in your life. When you look for what God is doing, when you follow His commands, you won’t just be “average” or “good enough.” No, as a child of the Most High, you are the most blessed.

Today, take time to focus your heart and mind on God and His promises. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to increase your capacity to receive His blessings. Get a vision for increase, embrace His promises, and boldly move forward in the good things God has in store for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, today I choose to set my mind and focus on You. I choose to look for what You want to do in and through me. I let go of any wrong thinking, attitudes or actions that would hold me back from You in Jesus’ name. Amen.