To effectively study the Bible, you will need three things…

#1 TIME:

1. Set aside time to read One Chapter per day!

2. It does not matter when that time is as long as it works for you on a consistent basis!

3. If you miss a day, get back at it the very next day!

4. Set aside one hour per week to follow up on your notes about words you do not understand, things that grab your attention, and questions you have, etc!

#2 TOOLS:

1. A quiet and private place!

2. A good contemporary version of the Bible:

– English Standard Version (Best)

– New King James

– New International Version (1984 only!)

3. A highlighter, a note pad, and a pen!

4. A Vine’s Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words!

5. A good one volume Bible Commentary such as:

– MacArthur Bible Commentary (Best)

– Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

– New Bible Commentary (Inter Varsity Press)

#3 TECHNIQUES:

1. After deciding which Book of the Bible you are going to study, PRAY for God to give you understanding of what you are about to read and a passion to obey it!

2. Read the entire Chapter at one time!

3. Next, go back over the Chapter and highlight and write down the following:

– Any words you do not understand!

– Any phrases, sentences, or verses that grab your attention!

– Any questions that come to your mind!

4. Look up any words you do not understand in your Vine’s Dictionary!

5. Use your Commentary to find the answers to the questions you have about the Chapter.

(Contact your Pastor about any questions you have when you cannot find the answer in your study tools!)

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE:

1^ST JOHN Chapter 1 (English Standard Version)

¹ “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—

² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Words:

“confess” (v.9)

Things that Caught My Attention:

If we confess our sins, we are BOTH forgiven and cleansed!

According to Proverbs 28:13 “confess” means to BOTH confess and forsake my sins!

Questions:

1. What or Who is he talking about in verses 1 to 3?

Jesus Christ!

2. Who is the “we” in verses 1 to 3?

The 11 disciples who were eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus!

3. What does it mean in verse 6 to “walk in darkness?”

To live out my life apart from the light of God’s Word informing how I live!

4. What does it mean in verse 7 to “walk in the light?”

To live out my life continually applying the Word to how I live!