Studying the Bible for Spiritual Growth

Part 3

Principles for Spiritual Growth

The main reason for bible study is Transformation not just information.

How I receive the Word determines my response to the Word. My responses are shown in my daily actions and activities.

Why we read the Bible

In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized. He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God. Christ’s Object Lessons, 38

Key Text

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31

Five things that will help you get the most out of your bible study

1. Knowing how to ask the right kind of questions.

2. Writing down what you have observed.

3. Remembering the goal is application for transformation.

4. Keeping in mind that the bible must be studied systematically.

5. Knowing you will never exhaust the riches of any one passage.

Preparation for Bible Study

1. Schedule time for bible study.

This is not devotional time.

But there is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind, and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained. Steps to Christ, 90

Preparation for Bible Study

2. Keep a record on paper or electronically.

Paper remembers people forget.

Some insights don’t stay.

Preparation for Bible Study

3. Get the right tools

A Study Bible - Preferably a modern translation

New International Version,

New King James Version,

New American Standard Bible

Study Bible Reccomendations

NIV Study Bible

Thompson Chian Reference Bible

Andrews Study Bible

Tools, Continued

A bible concordance - This is is a bible index of words.

Strongs Exaustive Concordance

Tools, Continued

A bible dictionary or handbook - This tool explains many of the words, topics, customs and traditions of the bible along with historical, geographical and cultural information.

Bakers Bible Handbook

There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure, find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. Steps to Christ, 90

Preparation for Bible Study

4. Spend time in prayer

Ask for cleansing

Ask for guidence

Principle for spiritual Growth #3

My approach to bible study should be an investment of my time, attention and money.

What God provides will always exceed what I invest.

I Will Dig Deeper By

Making a investment in my bible study.

reading Steps to Christ, chapter 10.

Making a list of times God has exceded my investement in Him.