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I supposed I knew my Bible,
Reading a piecemeal, hit and miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah,
Certain Psalms (the twenty-third),
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs—
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel, aweary,
And yawn through hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings,
As you treat no other book—
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude impatient look—
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through!
— Amos R Wells

 

The Bible itself gives the instructions on how to study.

2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

You see, all the Bible is for us, when it is rightly divided. The opposite of right division is wrong division. So we must conclude that care should be taken when studying the Word of God.

Lucky dipping is an approach that can really lead you astray. You are probably wondering, "what is lucky dipping?" To lucky dip is to close your eyes, open the Bible, and begin reading. This may sound foolish, but millions use this approach.

Lucky dipping is an approach that can really lead you astray. You are probably wondering, "what is lucky dipping?" To lucky dip is to close your eyes, open the Bible, and begin reading. This may sound foolish, but millions use this approach.

Too true! The first time I had heard of someone doing this, my jaw hit the floor!  :-X


BIBLE MEDITATION: “But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: I believe many churches are suffering a famine because their pulpits are not feeding heavenly bread to their flocks. If you are not feeding on the Bible daily, you are either not saved, or you are dying of spiritual malnutrition. The only strength we have is found when we feed upon the Word of God. Job said, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). In other words, Job was saying that if he had to choose between eating physical bread or spiritual bread, he would rather have the Word of God. How I pray that people reading this would commit to a daily routine of exercising on their knees in prayer and feeding with the nutritious bread of God’s Word.

~Love Worth Finding

Amen,

And I might add, set aside all other materials.

It is not reading the bible and then a commentary or someones elses opinions, to help one understand what he has read.

This is not the way to be taught of the Spirit, who is well able to bring to  remmerbrance all things spoken of by Jesus;

 "teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."  Jhn 14:26


Since itis the words Jesus spoke in His Father name which will judge the living and the dead in the last day.

Notice carefully;

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.  (Jhn 12;48-50)

The bible is the bedrock of truth, and in it are the words of life, which Jesus spoke.


Duet 18:17-19


God Bless,

Petro

AAAAAAAAAMEN

Double Ditto on A4C's big Amen.  

I practice 'lucky dipping' (but I didn't know that's what it was called!).  I do my structured daily reading (minimum two chapters OT and two chapters NT) but a few nights a week I let my Study Bible fall open where it may - and I'm here to tell you (in case you were wondering why I'm here) I do "dip" upon some jewels - and many seem to be very timely for personal current life events.

I practice 'lucky dipping' (but I didn't know that's what it was called!).  I do my structured daily reading (minimum two chapters OT and two chapters NT) but a few nights a week I let my Study Bible fall open where it may - and I'm here to tell you (in case you were wondering why I'm here) I do "dip" upon some jewels - and many seem to be very timely for personal current life events.

I took the term 'lucky dipping' to be those people who read bits and pieces here and there. Two verses from Genesis one time. Then a verse from Matthew the next. And then maybe three verses in Esther. And never a whole chapter or a whole book at a time.

Not those who read a whole chapter (or two, etc.) at a time.... :P

Structured daily reading does NOT qualify as 'lucky dipping'. ;D

Amen Brothers and Sisters!

I would like to second JudgeNot's double DITTO on A4C's post, but now I'm confused. I got out my scientific calculator and squared the cosign of the tangent exponentially and came out with two different answers = either three DITTOS or four DITTOS.   :D

I have a lengthy list of topics and portions of the Bible I want to study. I'm fairly slow because I like to use contrasts and comparisons most of the time. There are other times when I simply enjoy reading a favorite portion, chapter, or book of the Bible.

I am completely spoiled in using a Bible Study Software package called e-Sword. I use the larger fonts and love the click and go to contrasts and comparisons. Brother Petro, you can flog me with wet noodles, but I enjoy the built-in dictionaries, commentaries, topic studies, language functions, supporting ancient history, and maps. It's probably slower the way I like to study, but I've got plenty of time and really enjoy it. I have a house full of books, but my eyes get tired pretty quickly with the small prints. In fact, my brothers and I own a large library of old and rare Bible study books that were passed down through several generations of preachers. Some of the books are 200 or more years old. One room of our church is set aside for everyone in the congregation to use.

Brother Petro, I understand your objection to using texts other than the Holy Bible and various study aids, and it might be detrimental for some people. However, for me, I would have to disagree and say that selected study aids enhance my study and increase my enjoyment of Bible study. Our pastor many times locks himself in our library and spends hours or days with various books, but the Holy Bible is always the primary source of study. The Holy Bible is also my primary source of study.

Love In Christ,
Tom  

Bro BEP,

Its quite alright to use them, as reference sources.

The problem as I see it, they wind up being used as inspired text, as soon as a person begins counting on them as the answer to the questions which are raised from ones reading or study time.

If one is mature enough in his spiritual growth and can see this can be a hindrance rather than a blessing, then by all  means.

Personally I prefer to read a portion of scripture or study
a topic, without the use of aids, using only scripture, then refer them (helps), to see others opinions.

Incredibly one can find errors imediately this way, and these opinions sometimes lead to doctrines away from the simple words of truth, and all because of a misquoted scripture.

And a misquoted verse, errors in two ways, one, it gives the wrong meaning of what is being conveyed by it; and two, the unlearned are swept away by it, and it becomes a cause that stumbles them.

I am of the opinion with Crusader;

The bible gives the instructions on how to study the Word of God.

And it doesn't mention helps or other writings..

However, if the helps, can help you grow in the inward man without derailing your understanding of the great truths, then by all means, enjoy.

God Bless,

Petro

Learn from the teachers .... but the important thing is to learn the WORD for yourself.

Knowledge of God can be gained from all things.
But - wisdom to use the knowledge - comes through many councelors.

Oklahoma Howdy to Fewarechosen7F, Ambassador4Christ, and Petro,

I think that most people use some study aids whether they recognize it or not, especially depending on how good their personal Bible is. The better personal Bibles have mini-concordances, topical indexes, comparison/contrast portions of Scripture, maps, and most with preview commentary about each book. The quality of the additional material varies, but it is very short in comparison to separate books. If you want to do any ancient language studies, additional books are a necessity. Although I do have a couple of Bibles that contain Strong's Numbers, but that is also not part of the Bible.  

I'm not trying to argue, but I would point out it would be better to have some reference material than skip or misunderstand a portion of Scripture.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Indeed - I agree. The qualifying thing is that no matter what reference or teacher, one must "proof" the material by starting with and then going back to the bible.

I also use e-Sword and find it remarkably helpful.

 ;)

Oklahoma Howdy to Gracey,

It's hard to believe that e-Sword is free. Several in my family use e-Sword, including one uncle who is a preacher. He also has a commercial Bible Study package that was probably around $1,500, but he still uses e-Sword also. The search, topic, and language functions are extremely fast and easy to use. It's a keeper.

Love In Christ,
Tom

GEM: You see, all the Bible is for us, when it is rightly divided. The opposite of right division is wrong division. So we must conclude that care should be taken when studying the Word of God.

Amen & Amen

Yes it is a True GEM: You see, all the Bible is for us, when it is rightly divided. The opposite of right division is wrong division. So we must conclude that care should be taken when studying the Word of God.

Your friend and brother

The Crusader
<:)))><

Yes it is a True GEM: You see, all the Bible is for us, when it is rightly divided. The opposite of right division is wrong division. So we must conclude that care should be taken when studying the Word of God.

Brother Love :)

   <:)))><

 ;D  So, it's true!  You are three in one.  Three names, one person!

Hey, at least you don't quote yourself.  Or post something and then change names and add a "right on!"   :D  LOL

Most of us find it kind of odd why someone would use multiple names, but I know that there's usually some pretty legit reasons.  For example, I think I'm the only one here using my name instead of a Cyber name.  Tell us, why did you do that three name thing.  Some of us feel like we've been fooled by this.

That being aside, regarding opening your Bible and reading whereever you land--I like being in a group Bible Study.  But lately in my unhappiness toward my spiritual guides, the writers of the Bible Studies I have been in, I've found that some folks just write Bible Studies to make a living.  Some people teach the Word just to make a living.  They can't really call into account the Televangelists that our out bilking billions because the televangelists are just trying to make a living too, albeit a lucrative living.  Then we have book writers that write books just to make a living.  

I wish some of those teachers would remember the story of Lazurous, then I might be able to put stock in what they say.  I think we have too much of a materialistic culture and then folks say, instead of giving up all you have to follow the Lord, follow the Lord so you can get more stuff.  

I think that the folks that have more stuff need to let their good works so shine before men that they may see their good deeds and glorify their father in heaven--but in our culture stuff means everything.  Everybody seems to think that if you have lots of stuff that must mean you've been following the Lord.  Well, teachers of Bible teachers in my opinion need to have LESS stuff then the average bear so that outwords sign of an inward change can be visible.  Or how will be distinguish them from folks that just teach to get a buck or two?  I know some good teachers have been following their Lord.  But I think in our country when you're always in danger of collecting a whole bunch of stuff, we should give up all that we have to follow the Lord every few years.  Just so, in case non-believers can't understand what we're saying when we teach the gospel, at least our actions will be speaking louder than our words.

So, when I'm not in a structured group bible study, on some days, I do just let the Bible open where it may.  I'll do that.  Then I'll do it again, and do it again and again and again until I feel like I've figured something out.  Then I think about it, pray about it and do it some more.  I might do that until I find something that I might be able to apply to my life TODAY.

And on other instances, I will ask the Lord a question.  I'll say something like, "Lord, are you sure you love me??"  And then I'll open my bible just anywhere and I land on 'For God so loved the world . . . . "    Or I'll say, "Lord, I'm so hurt because this person is saying this and that about me"  And then I'll open the Bible and it says, "Blessed are you when men speak all manner of evil against you . . ."   ;D  IT'S FUNNY BUT IT HAPPENS THAT WAY!

Peace

Oklahoma Howdy to Candice,

Sister, there are still plenty of old fashioned churches and preachers that teach the Bible for all of the right reasons. The money issue, especially the fleecing of the elderly, makes me angry. The wealth and health gospel that doesn't exist also makes me angry. It sounds like you need to look for another church. This is just my personal thoughts, but I think that the small and plain churches are the best place to look.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Well said, BEP. I personally see BSF (Bible study Fellowship), which is an international, interdenominational bible study with no church agenda, only studying the word of God. The "interpretations" are therefore, consistent in biblical understanding and in the belief of God's word. We study every phrase in the bible and cross reference to ensure that it does not contradict the rest of scripture. It's great!

Oklahoma Howdy to Heidi,

I've almost stopped using man's tags, labels, and denominations to say anything about beliefs. It appears they all mean something different to each person. What might be true in my home about a particular group is not true somewhere else, so confusion reigns rampant.

I know that studying the Holy Bible should be at the top of the list in getting to know our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Following the contrasts, comparisons, and references in any study is completely necessary. It also is a joy for those who love to study HIS WORD. It simply creates a hunger for more.

Love In Christ,
Tom