Simply reading a book is vastly different from studying it, and this is especially true of the Bible. Christianity holds that the Bible is the divine word of God and therefore deserves respect. however, the Bible is frequently one of the most misinterpreted books ever written, and most people find it to be very hard to understand. Indeed, a huge gap of time, culture and geography has transpired between the time of the Bible's composition and the modern age.

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If you wish to truly interpret it properly, you must understand the original meaning which is where studying comes in.

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Steps to Take When Studying the Bible
The following steps are by no means an immovable list of traditions that must be followed when studying the Bible. They are simply a set of guidelines that will help make your efforts effective.

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1.    Have the right attitude.

This is an unavoidable prerequisite to understanding the Bible. Having a proper attitude consists of the following:

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• Salvation. Christianity teaches that the Bible is the divine word of God to his people, and therefore non-Christians will fail to grasp the spiritual concepts. They may read the simple denotations but cannot see past them. Therefore, a "born-again" heart is held as the first and foremost requirement.

• Desire. The Bible should be approached with an earnest, disciplined desire to learn from it. This desire should not be a passing indulgence swayed by mood swings, but a steadfast need. The "dry oatmeal approach" ("the Bible is bland and boring but nourishing") is a far cry from the genuine "double-fudge brownies approach" ("I just can't get enough of it!"). Be excited about the Bible - especially if you believe it to be God's word; don't treat it like a chore. The starving man is the one who gets the most out of his food. 

• Submission. Many Christians simply cherry-pick their way through Scripture, selecting passages that suit their lives and ignoring the rest. A true eagerness towards God's word should be accompanied by a willingness to change based on what is read. Obedience is key.

2.    Get a Bible.

This may seem like a given, but we often tend to look to other resources and neglect the actual Word of God. Bibles are typically available at most retailers, and today there are various Bible apps available for your smartphone, tablet or computer.

 

Choose a translation to use during your study. You should generally stick with only one translation, as this provides consistency. Try to avoid "paraphrased" translations like The Message. Four great translations that stick closely to the original text are the King James Version (KJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and the Revised Standard Version (RSV) while the New International Version (NIV) provides a solid modern interpretation that doesn't deviate from the original text.
 

3.    Try reading a Study Bible.

This is basically a Bible with a pastor's commentary that breaks down each chapter and explains it in detail. This is a very helpful tool, especially for portions of the Bible that are hard to understand.
 

4.    Get rid of all distractions.

It's easier than ever to get bogged down with distractions. We all have something that tends to snag our attention whether it's the TV in the background or the endless notifications on our phones. Be sure to turn off the television or anything that could pose as a hindrance to a peaceful and production study session. Putting the snacks and food bowls away can help also. And unless you're studying with a group, try to seclude yourself as much as possible. This is alone time between you and God. 
 

5.    Pray before, during, and after.

Ask God to help you interpret his word before you even begin. Mankind can only have a limited understanding of an eternal spiritual being. Keep in communication with the Lord before, during, and after studying the Bible. 
 

6.    Read a verse, section, chapter, or book.

Select a book of the Bible to study (Matthew is a great place to start) and read it. Read the entire book from the beginning. Try at least 3-4 chapters per day. Alternatively, you can select a topic related to an issue you may be struggling with. Websites like Bibletopic.com can be a very helpful resource when trying to find passages of scripture related to a particular topic.

 

The important thing to remember is that the length of the text you're studying is not as important as the depth of your studying. Be thoughtful and patient as you read. Put in energy and concentration. 
 

7.    Read the book again.

Reading the book repeatedly gives you a better understanding of it. Repetition will help cement the book into your memory, and you will pay attention to more and more each time. G. Campbell Morgan would not attempt to study a book before he read it at least thirty times. We're not saying that you have to go as far as G. Campbell Morgan, but having read a book or passage can help you grasp the content more thoroughly the next time around.
 

8.    Biblical Principles.

Remember that every section of scripture is written to a specific group of people, so you don't need to literally apply every verse to your everyday life. However, the principles are eternal, so get a friend who knows the Bible very well to help you separate principles from cultural rules. 
 

9.    Read another book.

If you're focused on reading through the entire Bible, then this tip is more for you. After you read Matthew, read the next book after that (which happens to be Mark). Read all the books - one after the other - until you have read the entire New Testament. It will take a few months (reading 3 chapters per day), but the knowledge learned is well worth the time spent! 
 

10.    Use a dictionary.

A dictionary is generally a helpful resource anytime you're reading or studying. There are some helpful options online such as the King James Bible Dictionary website which covers just about every biblical term you could imagine. Make sure that you look up words in the chapter that you are reading from. This will help you understand the Bible better. 
 

11.    Focus on the New Testament.

Although the Old Testament helps you understand the New Testament, it is better to read the New Testament first if you are a novice. The Old Testament will make better sense if you read the New Testament first. 
 

12.    Have a notebook handy.

Using a notebook of some form will help maintain some level of accountability when it comes to reading everyday. Also, ask yourself questions and write them down in your notebook. Use the Who What When Where Why How (W5H) method for your studies. Some questions you could ask are as follows:

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Who:

• "Who was there?"

• "Who is this text referring to?"

• "Who is this text for?"

What:

• "What was happening?"

• "What was said?"

When:

• "When did this occur?"

Where:

• "Where is this happening?"

Why:

• "Why was this mentioned?"

• "Why did they do that?"

How:

• "How did it turn out?”

• "How can this be applied to my life?"

 

This simple method can help add some clarity to your study sessions. 
 

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