Sunday morning after church I was asked a very important question: “How do I know I am studying the Bible right, and can trust my own conclusions with my Bible study?”
What a fantastic and wonderful question!
First, here is what the apostle Paul tells the young man Timothy—
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Second, below is the big outline of how I want to respond in a practical way.
How to Study the Bible
I. Attitudes
II. Posture
III. Beliefs
IV. Exposition
V. Application
Third, one of the greatest gifts of the Protestant Reformation was making the Bible available to everyone, not restricted to the priests/clergy and ecclesiastical theologians.
It reminds me of the following verse from the book of Acts: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
I am excited about future postings following the outline I have provided above. Allow me to encourage your questions and responses as I proceed with periodic installments.
May God bless you in your daily Bible study.