LESSON TWO - Understanding the Bible
WHERE DID THE BIBLE ORIGINATE?
As you read this lesson, be sure to hover over the the Bible verses to read them or look them up in your own Bible. When the Bible passage is longer, you need to click on “more” in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window.
What does the Bible say about itself?
God’s Word (The Bible) came from God’s mouth. Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
The Bible is God speaking to us. If you want to hear from God, read the Bible.
The Holy Spirit of God enabled men to hand-write God’s Word exactly the way He wanted them to write it. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
The Spirit of God carried men along as they wrote down God’s Word. Being authored by God, the Bible is reliable and true.
The Spirit led these men to write the sixty-six books of the original Bible. The sixty-six books were compiled into one book that we call the Holy Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
In the Bible, God has given us all the information we need about Himself and life. Thank God for giving you His Word.
The original Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. The original Bible is inspired (God-breathed).
2 Kings 18:26 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languagePraise God that He has given us His Word!
The original Bible was carefully copied. The actual original Bible no longer exists but we have many copies of it. Deuteronomy 17:18 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
We have so many copies of the original Bible that there is no doubt that we have God’s Word today.
Many translations in multiple languages have been translated from the existing copies of the original Bible. Nehemiah 8:8 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Praise God that having so many translations of the Bible, we can compare them and get a better understanding of Scripture!
HOW SHOULD WE STUDY THE BIBLE?
We must study the Bible carefully, because our lives depend on it.
Ask God to help you to understand the Bible. Ephesians 1:18 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God delights in helping us understand His Word. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for help.
Know that it takes hard work to study the Bible. 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
Sometimes the Bible can be difficult to understand. Don’t be discouraged. The more you read it, the more you will understand it.
The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books spanning over 1,500 years, so remember the big picture as you look at the specifics. Luke 24:27 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
Remember when you are reading a portion of the Bible that it is only a small part of the overall plan of God.
Take the Bible at face value. Let the Bible say what it seems to say. Don’t look for hidden meanings. Mark 12:24 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
God is not the author of confusion. He is straightforward. You don’t have to fill in the blanks.
Pay attention to the context. Look at what the Bible says before or after the section you are reading. Acts 17:11 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
Don’t randomly open the Bible and start reading. You must always take account of the context.
Try to understand what the original writer might have meant when he wrote to his original audience. Ask questions like, “What does the writer mean when he uses this specific word or phrase?” and “What would this specific word or phrase have meant in their culture?” 2 Peter 3:16 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
We don’t live in the culture in which the Bible was written, so try to put yourself in the writer’s shoes.
Use the easier-to-understand portions of the Bible to help you comprehend the harder-to-understand portions of the Bible.
John 16:29-30 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original languageGod knew what He meant when He directed men to write the Bible. Use the Bible to interpret the Bible.
The original Bible (not our translations) was inspired. Use multiple translations to try and understand what the original Bible said.
1 Corinthians 14:11 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languageMen willingly died to ensure that we could have a copy of the Bible in our English language. Praise God for His servants!
Use study tools such as Bible Dictionaries, Commentaries, Maps, and Concordances to understand the culture and context.
2 Timothy 4:13 (KJV) Compare translations and the original languageYou are living during a time when you have multiple Bible-study tools at your fingertips. What an exciting time to study the Bible!
You need the help of God’s Holy Spirit to understand the Bible.
John 16:33 (ESV) Compare translations and the original languageBeing the Author of the Bible, the Holy Spirit knows how to help us understand it when we are willing.
Take time to process what you read. John 16:12 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
Take some time to pray, and ask God to help you to understand His Word.
Obey what you already understand. Hebrews 5:12-14 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Sometimes we aren’t willing to believe what the Bible says. That keeps us from understanding it. We believe in order to understand.
Think about the same passage of the Bible over and over again until you understand it. Psalm 119:99 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
You will learn something new every time you read the Bible. God’s Word itself doesn’t change, we ourselves.
Listen to a pastor preach from the Bible. Psalm 119:130 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
God has chosen the public preaching of His Word as a special way of helping us understand it.
Ask a Bible teacher or church elder to explain the passage to you.
Acts 8:30-31 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languageSome people have studied the Bible for years and would love to explain it to you. Find someone whom you can ask about it.
Consider memorizing one of the following passages (in whichever translation you prefer) as a summary of this lesson: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) or 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB) or 2 Timothy 2:15-16 (KJV) or Job 23:12 (NKJV) or Matthew 4:4 (KJV) or 2 Peter 3:2 (NASB).
If we don’t study the Bible for ourselves, then we won’t be able to help others with it.
God’s Word empowered by God’s Spirit is what saves souls; not our wits, ideas, or words. With whom have you shared Scripture?
Have you considered memorizing a Bible verse to help you tell a friend about Jesus?
As you share God’s Word with others, it will always accomplish God’s will in their hearts.
God’s Word has the power to change others even if they say they don’t believe it. Show them what the Bible says!
Bible References
Read the Bible in your own language here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the Authorized King James Version (AKJV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the King James Version (KJV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the New King James Version (NKJV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the New American Standard Bible (NASB) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the English Standard Version (ESV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read the Bible in its original Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek languages or Septuagint couresty of BLB www.blueletterbible.org.
The automatic reference tagger courtesy of FaithlifeReftagger www.faithlife.com/products/reftagger.