Pepperdine Bible Lectures 2017
The Bible is a treasure trove of knowledge and insight that is just waiting for us to unearth it. Here are some enjoyable and simple strategies for making the most out of every moment of your Bible study.
Start your journey by saying the prayer.
Spend a moment praying to God before you start reading. This is an excellent opportunity to communicate to God that you’re eager to know how to better understand His words. While reading, you should make an offering to God for wisdom and understanding as and guidance in how you can apply the teachings to your own life. Asking for specific advice about what you should focus on while you read is an effective strategy. With the blessing of Jesus Christ, amen, close the sentence. This sets the tone for a modest and open mindset as you study. It is also a helpful reminder to remember that God will be with you on this journey and is waiting to help you with any confusion or questions.
Select a topic of interest
Don’t assume that you have to start at the beginning! Jumping immediately into a subject or subject that interests you is among the best ways to increase the enjoyment of your Bible study more exciting. For instance, if you’re looking to know more about Jesus, start reading Jesus’s gospel through the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Select a particular subject, such as forgiveness or trials, to focus on instead; this will help you connect to the subject more deep and make the study more relatable.
Make it pertinent
Pick a subject that is a favorite of yours. This is a fantastic approach to increase the relevance and sensitivity in the Bible. Look up verses on that topic and then carefully read them. In order to assist you, ChurchofJesusChrist.org also provides resources and suggested passages for typical topics. If you are able to comprehend the importance of the lessons, and connect them to your own daily life, it will be easier for you to remember the verses you are learning.
Discover a Character
Find whatever information you can concerning the person you’ve picked in the Bible. You’ll gain greater comprehension of the verses contextually as well as of the Bible’s overall context if you do this. Examine how the verses are connected to each other and how they came to be acquainted with Jesus as well as what you have in common with them and what you could take away from their stories. You’ll be able to connect to and comprehend the characters more effectively by doing this.
Keep it in mind.
Keep a journal to note your observations while reading. This will aid in your memory, provide you with an actual document of your journey and enable you to look back and gauge your progress. If you take the time to document it, you are showing God the respect he merits for the information you’re receiving.
Blend it up
Instead of reading the Bible instead, you can listen to the Bible. It’s a great way to distract yourself and provide your brain with a break from the visual aspect of reading. On the Gospel Library mobile app and at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, you can discover recorded versions. Additionally, you can listen while exercising or driving. This can aid in studying more efficiently.
Bring a friend
You can study with your loved ones and friends or even missionaries. You’ll gain fresh insights and the learning will be more enjoyable as a result. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to inquire about questions or resolve any confusion. Sharing scriptures that have a special meaning with one another could spark lively discussions and reveal fresh perspectives.
Eliminate Confusion
Look up any terms or phrases that you are unable to comprehend if you stumble across them. There are many Bible students on the internet who could help you. The understanding of the Bible will be better if you comprehend every term and sentence. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or look for resources to study; doing this will help you completely comprehend the significance and setting of the verses.
Take a Moment to Think
After studying, take a few moments to take a break and relax. It will give you more time to think about and analyse the lessons you’ve learned as a result. It’s also an opportunity to think about what you can do with the lessons you’ve learned in your own life. While you think about what you’ve learned, God might reveal new information to you through the Holy Spirit. This can be an effective tool for understanding.
Highlight or underline the verses that grab your attention.
One of the most efficient methods to keep in mind the things you’ve learned is by underlining or highlighting the passages that are memorable to you. You can use different colors or symbols in order to mark different themes or perspectives. This can make it simpler for you to find important verses in the future, and also assist you in making connections between verses related to the same topic. You can also write notes on the side of the page or on a separate notebook to think about your thoughts and to make connections with your own life.
Explore multiple translations of the Bible.
The ability to read different translations will aid in understanding the various nuances in the text. For example, some translations are more precise and formal, while others are more idiomatic and dynamic. This can help you to get a better understanding of the meaning and text the Bible attempts to communicate. Also, reading different translations can also help you to catch different interpretations, and gain greater understanding from every verse.
Utilize Bible study tools and resources.
There are numerous study tools , such as commentaries, study bibles and devotionals that can aid you in gaining more understanding of the text. These tools provide contextual context, historical background, and alternate interpretations that could enrich your understanding. Additionally, these tools may help you answer difficult questions, and provide explanations for certain passages. Utilize these resources as you study and you’ll find your studies to be more insightful.
Take time for personal reflection.
Spend some time following each session of study to consider what the lessons you learned are applicable to your daily life. Consider any lessons or lessons you’ve gained, and think about how you could apply them to your daily life. Retrospectively reviewing what you learned will help you remember it better and it gives you time to reflect on what you’ve read , and think about how you can implement it into your daily life.
Incorporate different learning styles.
We all learn differently We are all visual learners, while some have auditory learning, some of us are Kinesthetic learners. Combining different methods, such as drawing or writing out the verses you are reading can allow you to better understand and remember the scriptures. For example, if you are a visual learner, you can draw out the scenes in the Bible story. If you’re an auditory student, you can repeat the verses. If you are a kinesthetic learner you could act out the story.
Use Bible app and on-line resources.
There are a variety of apps and resources online that can help you to study the Bible. These resources can include reading plans, devotionals, along with audio-based versions that are based on the Bible. This is particularly helpful when you’re always in a hurry, and aren’t able to physically study the Bible. Furthermore the majority of these sources can be customized to your specific needs, which means you can have the most personalized experience when studying.
Make sure you are consistent.
Create a plan that you can stick to for Your Bible study. The more regular you are with your study, the more you’ll learn and the more meaningful your studies will be. By taking a couple of minutes each day to read a verse or two can be a significant improvement over time. Establish a date and time where you’ll be able to study consistently, and stick to the schedule. By having a schedule, it will keep you motivated, and it will help you to fit Bible study in your daily routine. Keep in mind that consistency is the key!
Never give up
The process of learning about the Bible is a lifelong process. No matter how much you know, God values your efforts to understand his word. If you feel as if you’re not understanding something or you’re not getting the whole thing at once Try not to be disheartened. Be aware that God is around you all the time and would like you to know His word. The more you study the more you comprehend and the more meaningful your learning will be. Keep going, be patient and enjoy the journey!