Bible FACTS & Study

methods

Why Should I Study the Bible?1. It is the source of TRUTH

John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“a. God – Man – Life – Death - People: Men, women, marriage, husband, wives, children,

dads, mothers, friends, enemies, You & meb. How to live: work, home, diet, cleanliness, thinking

2. It is the source of Happiness

Psalms 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.“

Luke 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.“

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

John 15:9-11 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

From How to Study the Bible by John MacArthur

Attributes of the Bible1. Infallible – As a whole has no mistakes Psams 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect.”

2. Inerrant – Without any errors in its individual parts Proverbs 35:3-6 “Every word of God is pure”

3. Complete – Nothing needs to be added Revelation 22:19 “if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city”

4. Authoritative – God demands obedience to his word Galatians 3:10 "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

5.5. SufficientSufficienta. Salvation – 2 Timothy 3:15 “from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to

make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”b. Sanctification (Holy/Christlike living) - “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”

c. Hope – Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

d. Blessing – James 1:25 25 “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.”

6. Effective – God’s Word will prevail, Isaiah 55:11 “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.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.”

7. Determinative – Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all

your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 21:12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

From How to Study the Bible by John MacArthur

What Bible Study Will Do For You:

1. Make you a strong Christian2. Give you assurance of salvation3. Give you confidence & power in prayer4. Cleanse you from sin5. Give you joy6. Produce peace in your life7. Guide you in making important decisions in your

life8. Enable you to articulate and share your faith9. Guarantee your success – God’s Way!

From How to Study the Bible for Yourself by Tim LaHaye

5 Phases of Bible Study:

• Imputation (read it)

• Interpretation (understand it)

• Meditation (think about it)

• Application (obey it)

• Multiplication (teach it)

How to Read the Bible

• Read DAILY

• Set a regular TIME

• Set a regular PLACE

• Read with a pencil & paper ready• Read devotionally (relationally - ask God to

speak specifically to you)

• Keep a daily spiritual diary

What to keep in your spiritual diary (Quiet Time Notebook):

• God’s message to me today

• God’s promise to me today

• God’s command for me to obey today

• God’s facts for me to learn today (a timeless principle)

• My application

Methods of Bible Reading

• Read it by books before verses or topics

• Read it repeatedly

• Read it by need

• Read it entirely

How to be consistent in daily Bible reading

• Read it when you feel like it; read it when you don’t

• Make a sacred vow to God (Ecc 5:5)• Make no exceptions – set your mind on action• Seek accountability (set up a plan, ask others to

hold you to it)• Share with others what God is teaching you• Understand its importance (AWG)• Overcome defeats• See or set up rewards – rejoice in VICTORY &

PROGRESS

What to read in the Bible

1. Read 1 John seven times2. Read the gospel of John twice3. Read the gospel of Mark twice4. Read the short letters of Paul5. Read the gospel of Luke & then Acts6. Read Romans7. Read the New Testament twice8. Read the wisdom books of the O.T.9. Read selected books repeatedly: 1 John, Ephesians,

Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, James, Romans 5-8, John 14-17,

10. Read the Bible through in a year

MacArthur’s Bible Study Method

• Read the Bible– The Old Testament: read it through start to finish once

a year– The New Testament: read an entire book through

every day for a month• Divide big books up into sections• Alternate big books with small books

Ex. November: read all of 1 John everyday December: read John 1-7 everydayJanuary: read John 8-14 everydayFebruary: read John 15-21 everydayMarch: read Ephesians everyday

- Read through New Testament in depth and in a way you will remember it every 2 ½ years!

- Keep one notecard each month listing the major theme of each chapter

Summary: You won’t have the desire or the discipline to Summary: You won’t have the desire or the discipline to study the Bible unless you …study the Bible unless you …

Trust the Bible contains the instructions of God for YOU and not suggestions of Men

2 Timothy 3:16-17 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.

Believe the Bible is the 100% source of TRUTH for YOU that you can’t get anywhere else

John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. Have confidence the Bible is POWERFUL to change YOUR life & solve your problems

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.