Question:
I do realize that there have been quite a few threads on Bible study, but I feel that it'd help me more to start a thread particular to myself. So, some history: I've only read from the Old Testament to Thessalonians, and I've been reading pretty consistently every night. I'm not really certain what I should be doing in a Bible study: should I analyze it like I would any other work of literature (except obviously, respect it as something much greater than any other work of literature)? In other words, should I be examining themes and the context in which it was written, and based on all of that, try to figure out what God is trying to say? Is there anything in particular on the web that would help me? I'm not really near a Christian bookstore and to make a really long story short, I would feel incredibly uncomfortable asking my parents to buy something for me over the net.
Just for the sake of posterity, I've got the NKJV and the Good News Bible (GNB). Should I get a different translation or would either of those be appropriate (or would one be more appropriate than the other)?
Thank you for any advice,
~Jen
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*bump*
Answer:
I like to do what you described personally, just examine deep meanings and themes and the point of the passage. a good way to do this is to read commentaries, listen to sermons on the subject,or do an inductive Bible study.
if you don't know that is just studying the subject, the interpretation and then application. I've always felt finding an application within whatever text im reading to be the most important part so that we can be doers and not hearers only of the word.
I've heard people that will re read a book after they've already done it. I know people that will read an entire book in one setting (some of the smaller books) and then go back verse by verse studying.
i can't imagine you would have a problem with the way you are already studying becaue you are consistent and productive. just making sure you can live out what you read is important.
also prayer before a Bible study is important, asking God to reveal something fresh, new, something you need to hear, and to teach oyu how to walk in it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by jengoesup I do realize that there have been quite a few threads on Bible study, but I feel that it'd help me more to start a thread particular to myself. So, some history: I've only read from the Old Testament to Thessalonians, and I've been reading pretty consistently every night. I'm not really certain what I should be doing in a Bible study: should I analyze it like I would any other work of literature (except obviously, respect it as something much greater than any other work of literature)? In other words, should I be examining themes and the context in which it was written, and based on all of that, try to figure out what God is trying to say? Is there anything in particular on the web that would help me? I'm not really near a Christian bookstore and to make a really long story short, I would feel incredibly uncomfortable asking my parents to buy something for me over the net.
Just for the sake of posterity, I've got the NKJV and the Good News Bible (GNB). Should I get a different translation or would either of those be appropriate (or would one be more appropriate than the other)?
Thank you for any advice,
~Jen Hi Jen, I thought I would pass along what our HS youth group and leadership uses in studying. We have this printed out on bookmarks:
How to Study The Bible
Pray!
READ & reread the passage
OBSERVE what it says by
doing as much of the following
as you can:
Find the paragraph breaks.
Mark the text for -

• key words
• time words
• conclusions
• comparisons
• question/answer
• main point/details
• lists

Draw lines to show
connections between ideas.
INTERPRET the meaning of
the passage based on what
you observe.
APPLY what you have learned
to your own life. What are
you going to do/not do?
PRAY SOME MORE!

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Thanks guys, I'm gonna try that Tonight shall be fun (This is somewhat of a hobby of mine, believe it or not...).
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The NKJV of the people is a good version and one good enough for in-depth studying. I don't know anything about the Good News Bible
Learning the history behind a whatever book of the Bible you are reading is a good way to understand context. To me that often makes it easier to find how it applies to today.
Also during your reading time, be sure you read at least a chapter or two. This will also help you get the context of the event or what is being said.
If your bible has a built in Concordance then take advantage of that. If there is a verse that stands out or isn't making sense, check the concordance for other scriptures that support it.
You could also read both translations that you have side by side.
Is the NKJV you have a Study Bible? Study Bibles often have lots of have a center column that is the concordance and perhaps a small commentary at the bottom area of the page.
If you are looking for tools to help you study like commentaries or bible dictionaries there are websites that have these so that you don't have to buy them.
Three that I know of are...
Crosswalk.com
BibleGateway.com
BlueLetterBible.org
Is that any help to you?
Answer:
Originally Posted by jengoesup Thanks guys, I'm gonna try that Tonight shall be fun (This is somewhat of a hobby of mine, believe it or not...). One more thing that I have found is that I really do like the ESV.
However I also have a NKJV Study Bible that is good.
Peace and Grace,
Tom
Answer:
Originally Posted by Jc The NKJV of the people is a good version and one good enough for in-depth studying. I don't know anything about the Good News Bible
Learning the history behind a whatever book of the Bible you are reading is a good way to understand context. To me that often makes it easier to find how it applies to today.
Also during your reading time, be sure you read at least a chapter or two. This will also help you get the context of the event or what is being said.
If your bible has a built in Concordance then take advantage of that. If there is a verse that stands out or isn't making sense, check the concordance for other scriptures that support it.
You could also read both translations that you have side by side.
Is the NKJV you have a Study Bible? Study Bibles often have lots of have a center column that is the concordance and perhaps a small commentary at the bottom area of the page.
If you are looking for tools to help you study like commentaries or bible dictionaries there are websites that have these so that you don't have to buy them.
Three that I know of are...
Crosswalk.com
BibleGateway.com
BlueLetterBible.org
Is that any help to you? Originally Posted by Jc Is the NKJV you have a Study Bible? Study Bibles often have lots of have a center column that is the concordance and perhaps a small commentary at the bottom area of the page.
Actually, it's a Precious Moments Bible The cover is pink, and the pages are edged in pink (but I was bored one time, so I covered it in newspaper and cut out the letters of "bible" from different newspaper sections). It's from my first communion.
Originally Posted by Jc Is that any help to you? That was indeed helpful. Thank you.
Answer:
Originally Posted by jengoesup Actually, it's a Precious Moments Bible The cover is pink, and the pages are edged in pink (but I was bored one time, so I covered it in newspaper and cut out the letters of "bible" from different newspaper sections). It's from my first communion.
Well...a Bible is a Bible. God will speak through it even if it has a once pink now newspaper covered cover
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Indeed. Besides, the pictures inside are really amusing and cute...
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OK, tonight I'm heading out to Barnes & Noble to get a study Bible, since I'd prefer to have something not on my computer (in addition to the sites you've mentioned, I've also got e-Sword on my computer with several commentaries and Bible versions). I'm decided between either the NASB or the ESV. Any reason I should prefer one over the other, or is it purely a decision based on readability of text? I do like the way the NIV reads, but I've heard that it's got some translation issues. Would they be a big deal, as long as I compared the NIV to my NKJV at the same time?
Thanks for your advice, guys. You've been very helpful
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NASB text is excellent for Bible study. It is extremely accurate to the original Greek and Hebrew yet readable. That is my personal favorite what I use for indepth study.
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Jen,
The NASB is great, but my vote is for the ESV when it comes to readability and memorization (combined with accuracy, which both have). But I'm kind of a nut when it comes to researching before I buy, so for whats it's worth;
Here's a link in which John Piper explains why he made the switch from NASB to ESV: http://www.desiringgod.org/library/t...d_god/esv.html
Whatever choice you make will be good (as alway's, pray for God's leading).
I'm excited for you in this time of growth in your faith.
"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." - Philipians 1:9-11
Grace & Peace
Tom