BIBLE STUDY 1

HOW TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD.

Key Text - 2 Tim. 2:15
Hymns: SDAH 245, 286

Introduction
It is one thing to read the Bible and it is another thing to study it. One may read for leisure; to
gain or improve reading skills; to get some information; to build vocabulary; to casually make
meaning of certain issues; to develop our verbal abilities; to improve memory and enhance
creative imagination; to help develop focus and concentration. It is good to read particularly, the
Bible. In Revelation 1:3, Scripture says “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words
of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Emphasis
Mine). Nonetheless, reading the Word of God is not the same as studying it. Reading may
involve a casual perusal of a giving material without paying attention to details. To study,
involves devotion of time and attention for detailed investigation and analysis of a given subject.
Unfortunately, some Christians spend more time reading the Bible rather than studying it. In this
study, our focus is to look at how to study the word of God. Alongside this, we shall see the
benefits that we derive from studying the Word of God.

Studying the Word of God

We are counseled to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15. This text calls for diligence and
careful analysis of the Word of God in order to be workmen and women for God. In our attempt
to study the Word of God, the question mostly asked is that if the Holy Spirit inspired the Word
of God why are there so many different ideas about what the Bible teaches? The main reason is
that sometimes we want to subject the Bible to our opinions, prejudices and subjectivities instead
of humbly submitting ourselves to God and subjecting ourselves to the Word of God. Therefore,
many people do Eisegesis that is, reading their own meanings into the Word of God rather than
getting or digging meaning(s) out of the Word God which is Exegesis. We are admonished that
“if you search the Scriptures to vindicate your own opinion, you will never reach the truth.
Search in order to learn what the Lord says. If conviction comes as you search, if you see that
your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the truth, do not misinterpret the truth in order
to suit your own belief, but accept the light given. “…open mind and heart that you may behold
wondrous things out of God’s Word” (White, 1900:112). We are to subject ourselves to the
searching light of God and allow the Word to work on us, in us, through us and for us rather than
trying to let the Word of God subject to us. We must allow for its prognostic and diagnostic
influences to transform us so that we become His agents of transformation. To search the Word
of God, we must allow the Word to search through us to make us better tools and instruments for
God’s work and glory. It is by this that we shall grow from grace to grace in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ (See, 2 Peter 3:18).

How to Study the Word of God

We know that we have to study the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto God but how
do we study it effectively? Various methodologies and approaches of interpretation, called
Hermeneutics have been developed over the centuries. Whilst some follow the Allegorical
Method by seeing the Word of God as symbolic having a supernatural meaning, others also go
with Literal Interpretation focusing on the text itself as having the meaning. Both of them have
their limitations. Adventists adopt the Historical-Grammatical Method which emphasizes the
words of the text and the historical context.
In this study, we are looking at some basic principles and steps that we can use to study the Word
of God and how to apply them in our everyday lives as we prepare ourselves and others for the
second coming of Jesus Christ:
1. Set aside a regular time for the study of the Word of God : As part of your daily life,
schedule time in advance for the study of the Word of God. This must be the important and
prime time in your life. It is more appropriate to be the first thing in the morning and the last
thing to do at night before you sleep. Jesus had this habitual meeting with His Father in the night
before the break of day. His prayer life came with the meditation and study of God’s Word (See,
Acts 17:11; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Mark 1:35).
2. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding: Study the Bible in a prayerful
attitude. Ask God to lead by His Spirit and to reveal His will to you. True understanding comes
from the Eternal God. You cannot reason it out for yourself (Psalms 119:33-40; Proverbs 3:5-8;
1 Corinthians 1:25-29; Jeremiah 9:23-24). Our minds have been blinded (2 Corinthians 3:14;
4:4) and corrupted (2 Corinthians 11:3) because of the fall and sin. We of ourselves cannot grasp
spiritual truth without special enlightenment. The natural man unchanged and unaided by the
Holy Spirit cannot arrive at spiritual truth (Matthew 11:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans
12:2). The Holy Spirit aids us in two ways: i) to lead us to understanding, and ii) to lead us to
experience the Word in our personal lives (John 16:13). The Spirit continues to guide us as we
persist in study and as spiritual growth takes place. (Jemison, 1959: 26).
3. Have a right attitude toward the Truth. Be ready to do the will of God: The one who
sincerely desires and chooses to do the will of God will be enlightened to understand His will.
He will be enabled to distinguish truth from error (See, John 7:17; Psalm 119:34; James 1:22-25;
Revelation 1:3). Those who study diligently and prayerfully will understand God’s messages
(Daniel 12:10; Psalm 25:14). When we desire to be the doers of His Word rather than being
hearers only to deceive ourselves, then we shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free
(See, Romans 2:13; James 1:22; John 8:36).
4. Recognize the complete harmony of the Scriptures: All Scripture was given by inspiration
of God for Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2
Peter 1:19-21). If we understand the Scriptures correctly, they never contradict themselves. If a
verse standing alone appears to be subject to two or more interpretations, the one to be accepted
is that which accords most fully with the rest of the Biblical teachings on the subject. It is
dangerous to set out a teaching based on one text (See Luke 24:27). Peter declared that all the
prophets had given witness to Christ and His plan for the remission of sins (Acts 10:43; 3:20,
21). Only complete harmony throughout the Scriptures would make it possible to gather
information from the Bible to set forth an explanatory discourse regarding Christ and the plan of
salvation.
5. Consider the context of the text: Every passage of Scripture should be considered in its
context if it is to be understood correctly. Context is often broader than a few surrounding verses
or even a chapter. Sometimes a series of chapters, an entire book, or even a period of history
described in different books may have to be considered as a setting for a verse or a phrase.
Chapter and verse divisions are later additions and so we must not make meaning out of just a
verse. The historical and cultural background is also a key that unlocks a text. We must as well
consider the genre or the literary type being studied - whether prose, history, narrative/account,
poetry, prophecy, eschatology, epistle/letter etc.
6. Considering various Bible versions: All the English Bible versions can be put under three
main groups: i) Word-for-Word Translations attempt to translate each Hebrew or Greek word
into a corresponding English word. Examples are the King James Version, the New King James
Version, New American Standard Bible, Amplified Bible, English Standard Version, and
Revised Standard Version; ii) The thought-for-thought translations or Meaning-for-Meaning
translations seek to express the meaning of each sentence or paragraph from the original
language in simple up-to-date English without being tied to translating every word. Examples are
New International Version (most well-known), Holman Christian Standard Bible, New Revised
Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, World English Bible and New
Century Version; and iii) Paraphrased Translations have the primary goal of conveying the Bible
in a simple, easy-to-understand language without regard to word-for-word nor even meaning-for-
meaning expressions of the original languages. Examples are New Living Translation, New
International Reader’s Version, Good News Translation (also Good News Bible), Contemporary
English Version, The Living Bible, and The Message. Reading from these three strands whilst
studying the Word of God has great benefits.
7. Allowing the Bible to be its own Interpreter: The Bible interprets all of its essential
symbols. We must avoid reading our own meaning or another person’s interpretation into the
words of the Bible. Men’s own interpretations are at best only conjecture (See, Isaiah 28:10, 13;
Ezra 7:10).
8. Using aids to study the Bible: There are numerous aids that can be employed to make Bible
study more effective and rewarding. For instance, the spirit of prophecy writings given through
Ellen G. White, Bible dictionaries and commentaries, lexicons, atlases, and books on
archaeology, history, and other related topics will contribute to your ability to dig out and to
understand Bible truth (Jemison, 1959: 27-29).
9. Seek correction and instruction from the Word of God: The Word of God is “profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). The reason why we
study the Word of God is to practice what the Word of God teaches. As much as we have to
teach others, we should allow the Word of God to reflect in our own lives. Receive the message
as the Word of God to you first. Our motive should not be to teach others only. God must speak
to us so that we can also teach it to others revealing Christ in His Word (1 Thessalonians 2:13;
John 5:39).
10. In studying you must observe the following: a) Write down your observations as you read
the text; b) record questions that come to your mind; c) look up cross-references; d) record
insights you gain in your own diary; e) outline chapters or put them in your own words; f) put
into practice the things you have learnt; g) share your insights with others (Koranteng-Pipim,
2017:47).

Conclusion
Studying the Word of God is an imperative for every Christian (2 Timothy 2:15). By this, we
shall grow in the knowledge of Christ and mature from grace to grace sharing the Word of God
with others. We cannot give what we do not have. If the church is not sharing the Word of God,
it means the church is not studying. “He who teaches the word must himself live in conscious,
hourly communion with God through prayer and a study of His word for here is the source of
strength” (White, 1911:362). As we seek to reach the world with the Word of God, we must first
seek God through His Word. One may know the facts about the Bible, the principles of Christian
living, God’s plan for the future, but may not understand the meaning of these facts. We may be
able to explain the prophecies, and yet be unprepared for future events that will involve us
personally (Matthew 7:21-23). Study the Word and act accordingly!

Jemison, T. H. Christian Beliefs. (Mount View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1959),
p. 26-29.
Koranteng-Pipim, Samuel. Read the Book. (Michigan: EAGLESonline Books, 2017).
White, G. E. Acts of the Apostles. (Mount View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1911).
___________ Christ’s Object Lessons. (Mount View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1900), p. 112.
How to Study the Bible and understand It. Accessed on May 15, 2017 from
https://www.thetrumpet.com/2150-how-to-study-the-bible-and-understand-it

Study and meditate on God's Word. Accessed on May 15, 2017 from
https://ebible.org/prayer/key2.htm